Areas of widened veins in the rectum that sometimes become inflamed are called haemorrhoids or piles. A person may have internal haemorrhoids, located in the lower rectum, external haemorrhoids, which form under the skin around the anus, or both. Haemorrhoids may cause itching and bleeding with defection that coats the stool, streaks toilet tissue or drips into the toilet. Sometimes internal haemorrhoids will protrude or prolapsed, through the anus. This may allow leakage of the rectal contents.

Haemorrhoids usually only cause minor discomfort unless a blood clot forms inside one of them. This is called a thrombosed haemorrhoid and can cause severe pain, swelling and inflammation.

Causes of haemorrhoids

Whenever pressure on the veins of the rectum is increased, haemorrhoids may flare up and cause symptoms.