Lifestyle advice
Lifestyle advice
Constipation and straining during bowel movement can make piles worse. To help avoid this, you can recommend the following:
- Eat a high fibre diet with fruits, vegetables and wholegrain food
- Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight glasses a day (preferably water)
- Go to the toilet immediately when you need to pass stools
- Try to avoid straining during bowel movement
- Exercise regularly as it can help stimulate regular bowel movement1
Other advice you can give your customers includes: use damp toilet paper to wipe their bottom; use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to ease discomfort; have a warm bath to ease itching and pain; keep their bottom clean and dry; don't wipe too hard after a bowel movement; cut down on alcohol and caffeine; and avoid painkillers containing codeine (which can cause constipation).4
When to refer3,4
Customers should be advised to see their GP if:
- There is no improvement after 7 days of treatment at home
- They have persistent or severe symptoms
Customers should be advised to always get any rectal bleeding checked out to rule out more potentially serious causes.
References
1. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1300.pdf
2. https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/digestive-gut-health/haemorrhoids
4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/piles-haemorrhoids/
All references last accessed September 2021
Germoloids® Cream, Germoloids® Ointment, Germoloids® Suppositories (zinc oxide and lidocaine hydrochloride). Indications: For the symptomatic relief of pain, swelling, irritation and itching associated with haemorrhoids and pruritus ani. Dosage and Administration: Ointment and Cream - adults and children aged 12 and over - Apply at least twice daily to the affected area. For internal piles insert the applicator into the anus and expel a small amount of ointment/cream by squeezing the tube gently. Minimum of 3 to 4 hours between application. Maximum of 4 times in 24 hours. Suppositories - adults and children aged 12 and over - Insert one suppository into the rectum on retiring at night and in the morning, preferably after bowel movement. If necessary, can be used at any time during the day with a minimum of 3-4 hours between suppositories. Maximum of 4 suppositories in 24 hours. Children under 12 years - Only as directed by a doctor. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to any of the constituents. Warnings and Precautions: Persons who continually suffer from haemorrhoids, have severe haemorrhoids or excessive bleeding should consult a doctor. Side Effects: Suppositories and Cream - Very rarely, increased irritation at the site of application. Ointment - Very rarely, increased irritation and burning. Rarely rashes may occur. Use in Pregnancy and Lactation: No definitive evidence of safety, however, the active ingredients have been in wide use for many years without any apparent ill consequence. Caution should be exercised and directions for use must be followed. Medical advice should be sought. RRP (Excl. Vat): Ointment 25ml tube £3.43, 55ml tube £5.59; Cream 25g tube £3.19, 55g tube £5.59; Suppositories 12 suppositories £3.35, 24 suppositories £5.75. MA Number: Cream PL 00010/0265, Ointment PL 00010/0266, Suppositories PL 00010/0264. MA Holder: Bayer plc, 400 South Oak Way, Reading, RG2 6AD, UK. Legal Category: GSL. Date of Preparation: April 2020.
® = Registered trademark of Bayer AG