Piles (haemorrhoids)

Piles are a topic that can feel awkward to mention, even among people who talk openly about other aspects of health. After 40, they may be one of the private experiences sitting behind an otherwise ordinary working day, journey or social occasion.

This topic takes a matter-of-fact approach to a subject often surrounded by embarrassment or jokes. It makes space for the everyday perspective, recognising that comfort and privacy matter without making an intimate concern the defining feature of someone's life.