Piles: What Is It and How Is It Treated?

Piles or hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. It can form within the rectum or under the skin of the anus. There are multiple causes of piles, but the exact cause is not known. However, there are many effective treatments available for the issue. You can even consult an online doctor and get timely treatments.

What Are The Symptoms of Piles?

Being aware of the symptoms allows you to get piles of treatment in a timely manner. There are three types of piles, and their symptoms vary.

External Piles

• Pain or discomfort
• Irritation or itching around the anal region
• Bleeding
• Swelling around the anus

Internal Piles

• Bleeding during the bowel movements without pain.
• Protruding hemorrhoid through your anal opening.

Thrombosed Piles

• Swelling
• Extreme pain
• A lump near the anus
• Inflammation

What Are The Causes Of Piles?

In piles, the veins surrounding the anus tend to stretch due to the pressure and may swell and bulge. It can develop from excessive pressure in the lower rectum because of:

• Sitting for too long on the toilet.
• Straining during the bowel movements.
• Suffering from constipation or diarrhea.
• Being pregnant
• Being obese
• Consuming a low-fibre diet

How Are Piles Diagnosed?

A doctor can generally diagnose piles post a physical examination. When you choose an online doctor, they will ask you to get a physical examination. During the assessment, the doctor may ask you the following questions:

• Does your family have a history of piles?
• Have you experienced weight loss recently?
• Has there been any mucus or blood in the stools?
• Has there been any change in your bowel movement recently?
• What are the colours of your stool?

In case of internal piles, the doctor may do a digital rectal examination or examine with a proctoscope. It is a hollow tube integrated with a light. It enables the doctor to see the anal canal closely. Additionally, the doctor may take a small tissue sample from the area for further assessment.

Moreover, the physician may suggest a colonoscopy if you have symptoms that indicate another digestive issue or colorectal cancer.

What Are The Complications Of Piles?

Although very rare, patients with piles may experience the following complications:

• Blood Clot: A clot can be formed in the case of a thrombosed hemorrhoid. While not serious, it can be quite painful and may need to be drained.

• Strangulated piles: In case the blood supply to internal piles is restricted, it may result in strangulation. This can be very painful.

• Anemia: Excessive blood loss due to piles can result in anemia. In this situation, you do not have adequate healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to the cells.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Piles?

With growing age, the risk of suffering from piles increases. This is because the tissues supporting the rectum and anus vein can stretch and weaken. Pregnant women also suffer from piles because the weight of the baby exerts pressure on the anal region.

What Are The Treatments of Piles?

In most cases, piles can resolve on their own without medical attention. However, in certain situations, piles treatment in pune becomes necessary. Following are piles treatments that your online doctor may suggest:

1. Changes in Lifestyle

Excessive straining during bowel movements can lead to piles. A change in your diet can help in keeping your stools soft and regular. It involves consuming fibre-enriched food. You should also increase your water consumption and limit your caffeine intake.

Following are some of the high fibre food that you should include in the diet:

• Pears
• Strawberries
• Avocados
• Apples
• Raspberries
• Carrots
• Beets
• Broccoli

Shedding a few kilos may reduce the severity of piles. Exercising is one of the primary treatments for piles.

2. Medications

After the assessment, the doctors may suggest some medications to control the symptoms.

• Over-the-Counter Medications: These medications include ointments, painkillers, creams and pads. While effective, these remedies do not cure piles. And make sure that you only use piles of OTC medications only when advised by your doctor.

• Laxatives: If you suffer from piles and constipation, the doctor may prescribe you laxatives. They help in reducing the pressure on the colon and passing the stools more easily.
• Corticosteroids: These are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.

3. Surgery

It is very rare for people with piles to need surgery. Following are the surgery options for piles treatment:

• Sclerotherapy
• Banding
• Hemorrhoidectomy
• Infrared coagulation
• Haemorrhoid stapling

Conclusion

Although they can be weakening and painful, piles do not pose any serious threat to your health. Additionally, they can be managed without medical assistance up to a certain point. In case your symptoms worsen, it is important to get timely piles treatment.