Gorillas get haemorrhoids too – and gravity’s to blame

DID you know that gorillas are the only animal – aside from us humans – to suffer from piles?

And the reason is gravity. They’re just about the only other species that spends enough time upright that their digestive tracts, or rather the end point – the anus – is usually pointing downward. Piles, or haemorrhoids, are caused by a weakening of the blood vessel-rich spongy tissue that lines the rectum. These structures play a major role in maintaining continence. But downward pressure, which is the result of being on two feet, can cause them to swell. The situation can be worsened by things such as straining while on the loo or the body’s changes during pregnancy.

Piles are incredibly common, affecting up to half of over-50s. We think genetics play a roll in whether or not we develop them, but there’s absolutely no evidence to back old wives’ tales about sitting on radiators or hard surfaces being a cause.

The first sign is often blood on the loo roll or in the toilet – that alone is a symptom that should be reported to a doctor if it persists for more than three weeks, as in rare cases it’s a sign of cancer.

If the bleeding is triggered by haemorrhoids then there are treatments.

Over-the-counter creams ease itching and discomfort, but won’t treat the condition itself. More important is avoiding constipation – a diet rich in fibre, fruit and vegetables, along with plenty of fluids and exercise, will all help combat this and make trips to the loo go smoothly.

There are also a number of techniques you can employ while on the toilet which will improve your success rate, explained above in the panel above right. Ultimately, however, if the piles continue to be bothersome, a referral to a colorectal surgeon for treatment may be needed.

This would include banding, where small rubber bands are placed around the base of the pile, cutting off its blood supply so it dies and falls off.

Other treatments include an injection which can cut off the blood supply or surgery to manually remove them, although the latter, usually carried out under a general anaesthetic, can lead to some significant downtime and a more painful recovery.