5 Min 
In Sponsored education
Learn from key healthcare brands with a range of sponsored education to help your understanding of how to use and advise on products in the pharmacy.
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Objectives
- Understand the causes and symptoms of haemorrhoids
- Better understand your customers' needs when they are asking for advice
- Be able to recommend a suitable product and provide appropriate self-care advice
- Know when customers should be referred to their GP
Haemorrhoids (also known as piles) are swollen or enlarged blood vessels, which can cause discomfort, itching and irritation, particularly after a bowel movement. They may be either internal (inside the anus) or external (outside the anus).1 It is possible to have both internal and external piles at the same time.2
- CAUSES3
- SYMPTOMS3,4
Haemorrhoids may be caused by too much straining on the toilet, due to prolonged constipation; this is often due to a lack of dietary fibre. Chronic, or long-term, diarrhoea can also make people more vulnerable to getting piles.
Other factors that may increase risk include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Getting older
- Pregnancy
- Family history of haemorrhoids
- Regularly lifting heavy objects
- A persistent cough or repeated vomiting
- Sitting down for long periods of time
Symptoms include:
- Bleeding after a bowel movement - the blood is usually bright red
- An itchy bottom (anus)
- A lump hanging down outside of the anus, which may need to be pushed back in after a bowel movement
- Still feeling the need to go to the toilet after a bowel movement
- Mucus discharge after a bowel movement
- Soreness, redness and swelling around the anus
