Results

Cause of your symptoms

The bleeding is probably from piles and your abdominal pain and change in bowel habit may have been caused by something you have eaten.

Advice

Try the simple treatments outlined below for two weeks. However, if your abdominal pain is preventing any of your activities like working or sleeping see your GP.

Treatments

Eat a simple diet and if necessary take an antispasmodic tablet for your abdominal pain or discomfort. It is normal to strain a little when passing a motion but too much can cause bleeding. Try ‘careful cleaning’ around your bottom for your pile symptoms and if necessary use creams and suppositories. A pharmacist can advise on suitable treatments.

What now?

If you quickly get completely better in the next two weeks nothing further needs to be done. However, if your symptoms do not improve or recur after stopping treatment see your GP.

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You are more than 50 yrs old and have abdominal pain making you eat less to avoid the pain and or have lost a significant amount of weight. You also have rectal bleeding with pile symptoms and a non-specific change bowel habit.

Additional information if you see your GP

People who persistently eat less to avoid their abdominal pain and or lose a significant amount of weight may have a partial bowel blockage which requires prompt investigation in hospital.