All You Need to Know About Piles: Symptoms, Types & Treatment

Date: 11th Jan. 2018

If you experience discomfort in and around the anal cavity during bowel movements or while sitting, it could be a sign that you’re suffering from a condition called piles (medically known as haemorrhoids). Piles can affect people of all ages, but older adults and pregnant women are at an increased risk of suffering from piles.

In India, haemorrhoids affect over 10 million people per year. And 1 in 10 pregnant women suffer from piles. Yet, many find it embarrassing to talk about even with their physicians. While piles may resolve on their own, you must consult your doctor regarding any rectal bleeding. With the right steps, you can ease the discomfort and avoid a recurrence.

This article will cover piles treatment, symptoms, and types.

What are Piles (Haemorrhoids)?

Piles is basically swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum. They develop due to the increased strain on the veins in the rectal region, often caused by long-term constipation, old age, and in some cases, pregnancy.

When stress is placed upon these nerves, it causes them to swell-up and the surrounding mass of tissues to slip downwards. When stool passes, the swelling stretches further and can lead to discomfort, pain, and even rectal bleeding.

Bleeding piles can also lead to an infection, making it crucial to seek medical attention during the early stages.

Types of Piles

On the basis of their location, haemorrhoids can be classified as:

• Internal Haemorrhoids

Internal haemorrhoids are too far inside the rectum, so they cannot be seen or felt. Since the inside of the cavity has too few pain-sensing nerves, there is usually no pain. In fact, bleeding may be the only sign of internal haemorrhoids.

• External Haemorrhoids

External haemorrhoids are the kind that are under skin around the anus. The anal opening has many pain-sensing nerves, and as a result, these hurt as well as bleed. They are also more likely to hurt during defecation.

Piles Symptoms

While not everyone may experience piles symptoms, some of the most common ones are:

• Painful bowel movements
• Painful lumps or swelling near the anus
• Mucous discharge while defecating
• Bleeding after bowel movements
• Irritation and itching around the affected area
• Discomfort or pain while sitting
• Redness and soreness around the anus

In extremely rare cases, when piles recur often, the patient may experience anaemia-like symptoms such as weakness and pale skin due to loss of blood.

Treatment Options for Piles

In many cases, piles can clear up without undergoing treatment. However, it is vital to visit a doctor before starting any form of treatment. Following are the different ways to reduce the discomfort and pain caused by piles:

1. Home Care

Home care involves the following:

– Pain Relief

If you have external haemorrhoids, take warm water in a tub and soak for at least 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can sit on a warm water bottle. This will provide some pain relief and reduce the irritation. Also, use baby wipes or moisten your toilet paper rather than using it dry. You should also avoid rubbing the area and use patting motions instead.

– Dietary Changes

Since piles are related to chronic constipation, you need to consume foods that will soften your stools and reduce the strain. You can do it by:

-Increasing fibre in your diet: eat wholegrain bread, fruits, and vegetables

-Drink a lot of water

-Avoid caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee

2. Herbal Treatment

Many people prefer to treat piles in a natural way. Herbal treatments include using products that are made of natural ingredients that help in treating piles. Your doctor may recommend herbal products for post-operative treatment as well. These products can be in the form of tablets or ointments.

– Pilon Tablets

Pilon Tablets  contain various natural ingredients like:

– Ativish for reducing itching, improving digestion, and providing relief from flatulence.

– Sudhafatkari and Gritkumari for softening the stool and preventing constipation.

– Other ingredients like Kattha, Kariyal, Aritha, and many more for treating piles.

These tablets should be taken twice a day, one in the morning and the other at night for 30 days or as directed by the physician.

– Pilon Ointment

Pilon Ointment is a herbal medicine that has to be applied directly on the affected area. It has analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory, and anti-septic properties. This ointment also contains Kasisadi oil that has Kshar properties for cutting and removing piles.

For best results, it is recommended that you use Pilon Tablets and Ointment together.

3. Surgery

Only around 10% of piles cases need surgery and it is the last resort for removing haemorrhoids. Surgery is usually considered when no other form of treatment works, and piles start affecting your lifestyle. External or prolapsed haemorrhoids that get infected may also require surgery. Following are the indications for haemorrhoids surgery:

• Excessive bleeding that may lead to anaemia
• Intense pain
• Strangulated haemorrhoids (internal mass that has prolapsed and become trapped by the anal muscles)
• Prolapsed haemorrhoids (internal haemorrhoids that bulge out of the rectum) that can’t be treated non-invasively
• Signs of gangrene owing to the lack of blood supply to the tissue

With the right treatment, piles can go away on their own. Simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help you avoid a recurrence and lead a comfortable life. And meanwhile, you can use at-home tablets and ointments to ease the discomfort.

 

 

References:

• https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a244/piles-in-pregnancy
• https://www.gstatic.com/healthricherkp/pdf/hemorrhoids_en_IN.pdf
• https://doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/piles-hemorrhoids-1752868
• https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/hemorrhoids-topic-overview-1#1
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/piles-haemorrhoids/treatment/
• https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/hemorrhoids-surgery-1
• http://fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/hemorrhoids-expanded-version