Get checked if you have
- Blood mixed in with the stool, or dark red blood
- A change in bowel habit lasting more than 3–4 weeks
- Weight loss, tiredness or anaemia
- A family history of bowel cancer or polyps
- Bleeding that continues despite treating piles
- Age over 45–50, with any new bleeding
A colonoscopy is usually the right test, and polyps can be removed at the same time.
Heavy bleeding is an emergency
Passing large amounts of blood, or bleeding with dizziness or fainting: go to the nearest emergency department or call 108.
Looking after piles and fissures
- Fibre and fluids to keep stools soft
- Don't strain, and spend under 10 minutes on the toilet
- A footstool to raise your knees
- Warm sitz baths for fissure pain