PILES ( HAEMORRHOIDS)

Piles is another term for hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are collections of inflamed tissue in the anal canal. They contain blood vessels, support tissue, muscle, and elastic fibers.

• Piles are collections of tissue and vein that become inflamed and swollen.
• The size of piles can vary, and they are found inside or outside the anus.
• Piles occur due to chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, lifting heavy weights, pregnancy, or straining when passing a stool.
• A doctor can usually diagnose piles on examination.
• Hemorrhoids are graded on a scale from I to IV. At grades III or IV, surgery may be necessary.

Symptoms

In most cases, the symptoms of piles are not serious. They normally resolve on their own after a few days.

An individual with piles may experience the following symptoms:

• A hard, possibly painful lump may be felt around the anus. It may contain coagulated blood. Piles that contain blood are called thrombosed external hemorrhoids.
• After passing a stool, a person with piles may experience the feeling that the bowels are still full.
• Bright red blood is visible after a bowel movement.
• The area around the anus is itchy, red, and sore.
• Pain occurs during the passing of a stool.

Piles can escalate into a more severe condition. This can include:

• excessive anal bleeding, also possibly leading to anemia
• infection
• fecal incontinence, or an inability to control bowel movements
• anal fistula, in which a new channel is created between the surface of the skin near the anus and the inside of the anus
• a strangulated hemorrhoid, in which the blood supply to the hemorrhoid is cut off, causing complications including infection or a blood clot

Piles is classified into four grades:

• Grade I: There are small inflammations, usually inside the lining of the anus. They are not visible.
• Grade II: Grade II piles are larger than grade I piles, but also remain inside the anus. They may get pushed out during the passing of stool, but they will return unaided.
• Grade III: These are also known as prolapsed hemorrhoids, and appear outside the anus. The individual may feel them hanging from the rectum, but they can be easily re-inserted.
• Grade IV: These cannot be pushed back in and need treatment. They are large and remain outside of the anus.

External piles form small lumps on the outside edge of the anus. They are very itchy and can become painful if a blood clot develops, as the blood clot can block the flow of blood. Thrombosed external piles, or hemorrhoids that have clotted, require immediate medical treatment.

Causes

Pregnancy may increase the risk of developing piles, as it causes increased pressure in the body.

Piles are caused by increased pressure in the lower rectum.

The blood vessels around the anus and in the rectum will stretch under pressure and may swell or bulge, forming piles. This may be due to:

• chronic constipation
• chronic diarrhea
• lifting heavy weights
• pregnancy
• straining when passing a stool

The tendency to develop piless may also be inherited and increases with age.

Treatments

In the majority of cases, piles resolve on their own without the need for any treatment. However, some treatments can help significantly reduce the discomfort and itching that many people experience with piles.

Kshar Sutra is the Best treatment.