Piles: Causes, Types, Symptoms, And Treatment

Ageing has its own advantages and disadvantages. Included in the latter are piles, clinically known as hemorrhoids, which is a condition when veins in your rectum or under the skin around the anus swell. These swollen blood vessels can turn bowel movement into an intensely painful experience. According to a research published in the year 2017 by The Indian Journal of Surgery, half the men and women in India above the age of 50 may develop the symptoms of hemorrhoids during their lifetime. Even though piles are rarely dangerous, if left ignored, it can lead to serious health complications. In this blog, let’s get a clear picture about the causes, types, symptoms and measures that can help prevent or cure hemorrhoids.

Causes

It is not established yet what actually causes the veins around your anus to swell and bulge, yet nearly two out of the four adults undergo the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Some of the common factors contributing to an  increased risk of suffering from piles are

Types

Hemorrhoids are classified into 4 different categories Internal, Prolapsed, External and Thrombosed.

• Internal Hemorrhoids: They lie deep inside the rectum and so, are not visible to the naked eye. They might not cause any pain but their presence is marked with the symptom of bleeding through the anus.
• External Hemorrhoids: They are formed in the outer lining of the anal creating extreme discomfort and pain. They are sometimes invisible and the other times develop as a lump. These can also form blood clots within the mass that slips down.
• Prolapsed Hemorrhoids: When internal hemorrhoids swells and sticks outside your anus the situation is coined as prolapsed hemorrhoids. These lumps cause discomfort or pain along with itchiness and burning.
• Thrombosed Hemorrhoids: These swollen bulges around your anus are blood clots within the hemorrhoid tissue. Due to lack of blood supply to your rectal tissue, thrombosed hemorrhoids needs to be attended urgently to prevent severe complications.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of piles subside on their own in a few days. However, in some cases, these must not be ignored. Since ignoring the initial symptoms can lead to serious complications, keep a check on these symptoms:

• Rectal pain
• Itching
• Bleeding
• Sore and redness in the anus area
• Mucus discharge

It is strongly suggested that if you are bleeding during defecation or your hemorrhoids don’t improve after a week of home care, consult a doctor.

Treatment

The treatment for piles may vary depending on the type, degree of prolapse or on the severity of the situation. However, these self-help tips may ease hemorrhoid pain and promote healing:

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking 2 liters of water daily reduces the risk of piles, as it helps to keep the stool soft.

Fibrous Foods

Including fiber-rich foods in your diet tends to improve the overall symptoms and bleeding from hemorrhoids. A healthy diet should contain the recommended amount 20-30 grams of fiber a day.

Don’t Hold Back

Rush towards the toilet when you feel the urge, don’t wait for a convenient time. Delaying or waiting puts on more pressure on the rectum veins, that can worsen constipation thus aggravating hemorrhoid.

Exercise

Staying active prevents and eases constipation, thus reducing the pressure on the veins. It can also help you lose weight which is another major contributor of piles.

Avoid Self Medication

In case you feel your symptoms are worsening, consult a doctor immediately. Some over the counter medicines may give you temporary relief but for an effective treatment reach out to an expert medical practitioner.

Don’t Exert Pressure

Don’t force your bowel movement, pushing and straining can make hemorrhoids worse. If you are not relieved within 2 minutes then get up and try again later.