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 Home > Common Questions
You can get quick answers to commonly asked questions about both PPH
and piles. The questions and answers are included in the tabs below.
1. What are piles? Piles, also called haemorrhoids, are swollen and enlarged blood vessels in the back passage. These swollen blood vessels can "prolapse" in more serious cases, and protrude outside of the anus. Back to Questions 2. What causes piles? Piles are caused by extra pressure on the back passage, usually as a result of straining to produce a bowel movement. Constipation and diarrhoea are common causes of piles. Pregnancy, being overweight, and heavy lifting may all contribute to strain on the blood vessels of the back passage to produce piles. Back to Questions 3. What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of piles may include itching, swelling, pain, bleeding, and a feeling of urgency to empty the bowels, even if one does not need to go.1 The severity of a case of piles can be measured in grades 1-4. Back to Questions 4. What other conditions are similar to piles? Conditions such as constipation and diarrhoea can contribute to a diagnosis of piles, as well as conditions like Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Coeliac Disease. Skin tags and warts may produce similar symptoms to piles, as well as anal fissures and colorectal cancer.2,3 Back to Questions 5. How do I know if I have piles? If you are passing bright red blood when you go to the toilet, frequently experience itching or discomfort around the back passage, or have noticed a lump or swelling protruding from your back passage after using the toilet, you may have piles. Back to Questions 6. How can piles be prevented? There is no guaranteed way to prevent piles, but you can avoid the causes as much as possible. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day along with a fibre-rich diet may help prevent constipation, which is a primary cause of piles. Avoiding straining when using the toilet to prevent extra pressure on the delicate tissue of the back passage. Back to Questions 7. How are piles treated? Grade 1 piles are common, and usually disappear on their own. For more serious cases of piles, several treatments are available, such as banding, sclerotherapy, HALO, conventional haemorrhoidectomy, and PPH. Back to Questions
1. Is PPH right for me? If you have been diagnosed with Grade 2, 3, or 4 piles, you may be eligible for PPH. PPH is different from a conventional haemorrhoidectomy in that it is a minimally invasive procedure that involves less pain. People who have had PPH have reported more satisfaction than those who have had a conventional haemorrhoidectomy.1 Back to Questions 2. How do I prepare for the procedure? Shortly before the procedure, you will be given an enema kit to use. It is also recommended that you take a gentle laxative twice a day, for two days before the surgery. Back to Questions 3. What happens during the procedure? You will be placed under either a local, regional, or general anaesthetic during the procedure. PPH does not involve cutting with a scalpel. Instead, a circular stapler is used to pull the piles back into their normal position. PPH is something like a “facelift”, pulling enlarged and swollen tissue back into place. Back to Questions 5. How painful is PPH? Compared to people who have undergone conventional haemorrhoidectomies, people who have PPH report less pain and discomfort. Most people find that ibuprofen or paracetamol are adequate for controlling the pain they feel after PPH. Back to Questions 6. When can I return to work? People usually get back to their normal activities within a few days after the surgery. However, when you return to work greatly depends upon the kind of work you do and the advice of your GP or surgeon. Back to Questions 7. Are there side effects of PPH? You may experience an increase in wind, as well as experience some confusion at times between gas and solids. You may also feel an “urgency” to use the toilet, even if you don’t actually need to go. These effects usually pass after the first two to six weeks following the procedure. Back to Questions 8. What kind of after care is necessary? The area around the back passage should be kept clean with warm water and non-scented soap, especially after using the toilet. Your GP will schedule follow-up visits to check on your progress. Back to Questions
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