Piles (Hemorrhoids) – In Brief

November 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under cause and treatment

Piles or hemorrhoids is a swelling, which occurs inside or outside the anal opening. There are many factors that cause piles and depending on the symptoms, treatment is resorted to.

What Exactly are Piles?

Piles are the enlargement of radicles of the rectal veins in the anal canal. Hemorrhoids is the medical word for piles. In contrast to the arteries, veins are not strong because of slender walls and therefore, any reverse force in the veins could twist them. Rectal veins are of 3 types, namely inferior, middle and superior rectal veins. Any impediments or redoubling of pressure in rectal veins could possibly lead to piles.

Based on the situation, piles are of two types:

1. Internal piles. 2. External piles

1. Internal Piles:

This occurs in the anal canal, within the inner recesses of the anal opening. It is coated by a mucous membrane and it is purple or red in color. These piles do not cause pain.

At times, the same individual may have internal as well as external piles.

2. External Piles:

This kind of piles is observed on the exterior of the anal canal opening and is enveloped by skin. External piles is brown or black in color. This kind of piles is extremely excruciating because of the plentiful supply of nerves in this region.

Factors That Lead To Piles:

1. Piles is a hereditary disease.

2. It is observed only in animals that keep an upright stance. This is because of the blockage in rectal veins on account of the gravitational effect.

3. It is a regular occurrence in individuals having persistent difficulty in emptying the bowels. Those having a tendency to go to the bathroom because of a regular urge for stool might get piles in due course.

4. Piles commonly occur in people who have a surfeit of spicy food, prawns, chicken, etc. Those who consume fibrous food and vegetables seldom get piles.

5. Quite a few women develop piles during pregnancy because the uterus constricts the rectal veins.

6. If the rectum has cancerous lesions, it can block the flow of blood and cause piles.

Signs & Symptoms:

1. Pain:

External piles are very painful and this tends to worsen while applying great strain to empty the bowels.

2. Bleeding:

Bleeding occurs in splatters while pushing for stool. In certain cases, there may be a lot of bleeding.

3. Protruding mass:

The inflammation can be experienced around the anal opening in external piles. In internal piles, however, at first it cannot be experienced. As the disease advances, the piles jut out during stool and withdraw inside automatically. In case the condition worsens, the protruded piles won’t retract into the anus.

4. A mucus discharge with itchiness around the anal opening occurs in certain cases.

Complications:

1. Infection: Infection could extend to deep veins leading to septicaemia.

2. Fibrosis: In this case, the piles turn fibrosed with stiffening of the anal opening.

3. Thrombosis: In this case, the blood tends to clot inside the piles and can block the flow of blood.

4. Gangrene: In this case, the tissues of the surrounding skin and in the piles die because there is no supply of blood.

5. Suppuration: Once piles suppurate, it could cause abscess with pus discharge.

Piles Treatment:

At first, based on the symptoms, treatment is carried out. Constipation should be attended to. If the individual is anemic, iron intake is recommended. Homoeopathic medication is effective in treatment of piles. In case the individual does not respond to medicinal treatment, then the below mentioned can be attempted.

1. Under local anesthesia, the external thrombosed pile is removed.

2. The piles’ size can be decreased with Sclerosant injection treatment.

3. In certain cases, tying a cord around the stem of piles is helpful.

4. Cryosurgery is extremely effective.

5. Anal enlargement can decrease pain and constipation.

6. Haemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure for removing piles.

Prevention Of Piles

1. Consume lots of vegetables and fruits.

2. Eat fibrous food.

3. Do not consume surplus crabs, prawns, meat, etc.

4. Maintain a regular food time.

6. Take adequate amounts of water.