WEIGHT

There is a direct link between excess weight and piles. Try to keep or attain your ideal BMI (see chart for how to calculate this) and you are less likely to develop piles or varicose veins. Avoid fast food, ready meals and sugary drinks. Instead, if you're feeling hungry, substitute a piece of high fibre fruit for your usual chocolate bar, chips or burger.

Drink plenty of water - it really will diminish your feelings of hunger. Soon you won't want to eat as much as before and the pounds will start to slip away. If you feel you can't cope with a weight-loss regime on your own, visit your GP. All surgeries these days will help you devise an eating programme and lifestyle to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.