26 Dec 2024

What are Piles (Hemorrhoids)

Piles are swelling of hemorrhoidal veins.

Hemorrhoidal veins are present in the rectum and anus.

Basically, when varicose veins develop in the rectum then these are called piles or hemorrhoids.

Types of Piles (Hemorrhoids)

Piles can be of three types:

  1. Internal Piles: These are within the anal canal. We cannot see and feel them. We come to know about them when there is bleeding during stool. Internal piles are generally painless.
  2. Prolapsed Piles: When internal piles get bigger and protrude outside the anal opening then they are called prolapsed piles. These look like pink colored skin tags and you can see and feel them. These may hurt. They usually come outside the anus during the bowel movement and automatically recede into the rectum. If they don’t recede automatically then the patient can gently push them inside.
  3. External Piles: These lie outside the anal opening. You can see and feel them. Sometimes blood clots form within external piles and this condition is extremely painful. This can cause of bleeding also.

Causes of Piles (Hemorrhoids)

  1. Chronic constipation and difficult stools: Low fibre diet and less water intake causes constipation which ultimately leads to piles.
  2. Obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods put pressure on hemorrhoidal veins and due to which piles develop.
  3. Loose motions, vomiting, coughing, sneezing also put pressure on hemorrhoidal veins.
  4. Congestion of liver leads to hepato-portal hypertension which in turn causes hemorrhoidal veins to swell and as a result piles develop. Congestion in liver can be due to alcohol, allopathic medicines, ayurvedic medicines, jaundice, fatty liver.
  5. I have seen in my clinical practice which I have been doing since 1997 that piles can also develop due to regular heavy weightlifting. These days gyming is very common and because of this piles cases have increased.
  6. Stricture urethra and enlarged prostate cause difficulty in urination; due to which the patient must strain; which in turn leads to increased intra abdominal pressure and piles develop.
  7. Tumor or cancer of abdomen can also exert pressure on hemorrhoidal veins and lead to piles development.
  8. Sometimes the problem of piles runs in families; it can be hereditary.
  9. Anal sex can also be a cause of piles problem.

Symptoms of Piles (Hemorrhoids)

  1. The most common symptom of piles is bleeding. This bleeding is of bright red color.
  2. There may be pain in rectum or anus during bowel movements.
  3. Patient may complain of one or more hard painful lumps in the anal region.
  4. Piles can prolapse later; means they can come out of anus. According to symptoms prolapsed piles can be divided into 4 degrees:

1st degree: In this, piles do not come out of the anus.

2nd degree: In this, piles come out of the anus during stool and recede back automatically after the stool.

3rd degree: Piles come out during defecation and do not return by themselves; they need to be replaced manually.

4th degree: Piles remains permanently prolapsed; means they always stay outside the anus. At this stage great discomfort and heaviness in rectum is complained of.

  1. Due to piles mucus discharge happens which damages the skin around anus causing irritation and itching.
  2. If the patient does not get proper piles treatment, then he can suffer from anemia due to constant bleeding.

Complications of Piles (Hemorrhoids)

  1. There is risk of anemia due to regular bleeding.
  2. Thrombosis can develop in anal region due to which painful swelling occurs.
  3. If the blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, the hemorrhoids may get strangulated which can cause extreme pain.

Top 10 Home Remedies & Diet Tips of Piles (Hemorrhoids)

  1. While working we should not sit continuously for hours. Get up in between and move around for some time.
  2. Regular exercise is important because nowadays in most of the jobs one must sit for longer periods to get the work done. Exercise keeps the weight in check, eliminates constipation and increases muscle tone.
  3. Undergarments should be comfortable and not too tight.
  4. Whenever there is urging for stool, you must go. Never ever hold or ignore the call of nature.
  5. Gently clean the anal area after stool. Do not rub the area vigorously because this can lead to increase in pain, burning and irritation.
  6. Do not itch or scratch the anal area because this worsens the piles.
  7. To relieve pain, irritation, and itching, you can apply cold packs three times a day for 15 minutes.
  8. Mix aesculus, calendula and hamamelis ointments and apply in the anal area at least twice a day.
  9. Take sitz bath twice a day. Fill a tub with warm water and add 10 ml calendula mother tincture. Sit in this medicated water for 15 minutes.
  10. Eat healthy diet rich in fibres, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereals.
  11. Drink at least 8 glasses of water in a day. This keeps the functioning of digestive system proper and eliminates constipation.