Piles or hemorrhoids refer to swollen veins in the rectum or lower anus. It often leads to inflammation of other tissues and causes discomfort. Piles lead to tissue growth of varying sizes in and around the anus.
Piles can be internal and occur inside the rectum. Sometimes external piles can grow and protrude out of the anus. This condition is known as prolapsed hemorrhoid.
External piles lead to small lumps on the outer edge of the anus. They are itchy and can become painful due to blood clots. Thrombosed external piles or piles that have clotted need immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms of Piles
Usually, piles symptoms are not too severe and go away on their own. Any individual with piles might experience the following:
- Painful lumps in the anus or around it
- Discomfort and itchiness around the anus
- Pain or discomfort during or after passing stools
- Bloody stools
Some severe piles symptoms include the following:
- Excessive anal bleeding leading to anemia
- Fecal incontinence
- Infection
- Anal fistula
- Strangulated hemorrhoid causing the anal muscles to cut off blood supply to the hemorrhoid
Several people suffering from piles do not observe any symptoms.
Causes
Increased pressure in the lower rectum is what causes piles. The blood vessels around the rectum and anus might stretch under pressure. They often swell or bulge due to excessive pressure and form piles. The pressure can come from the following:
- Heavy lifting
- Chronic diarrhea
- Chronic constipation
- Straining while passing a stool
Some risk factors of piles are as follows:
- Age: People above 50 are more likely to get piles.
- Pregnancy: Around 50% of women suffer from piles during pregnancy.
- Weight: Overweight people are at a higher risk of piles
- Diet: People with a low fiber diet are at a higher risk of piles.
Diagnosis
A physical exam is done to diagnose piles. A doctor usually examines the anus of the person after hearing the symptoms. You can expect the following questions from your doctor:
- Are there any close relatives with piles?
- Have you been passing blood or mucus with stools?
- Have you lost weight recently?
- Have your bowel movement habits changed?
- What is the color of your stools?
If you have internal piles, a digital rectal examination might be required. A proctoscope is used for the diagnosis of internal piles. A proctoscope is a hollow tube with light that enables the doctor to see the anal canal. A doctor might take a small tissue sample from the rectum for lab analysis.
Sometimes a doctor might ask you to get a colonoscopy. It becomes essential when a person suffers from symptoms associated with a digestive disorder. It may also be suggested if the doctor suspects colorectal cancer.
Treatment
Piles usually go away on their own without needing any treatment. But some treatment options might be required to alleviate the discomfort.
- Lifestyle Amendments
Making some lifestyle changes is the best cure for piles. Piles usually occur due to excessive strain during bowel movements. Constipation is a leading cause of pressure and can be avoided by dietary changes. Adding more fibre to your diet can make stools soft and regular.
Consuming more water can also be beneficial for curing piles. Losing weight is another remedy to get rid of piles. Doctors often recommend exercising and avoiding straining while passing stools.
- Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers are often used to reduce discomfort. Stool softening medicines like laxatives can make it easier to pass stools and avoid piles. Corticosteroid creams can also reduce pain, inflammation, and itching.
- Surgery
People with severed prolapsed piles or bleeding internal piles often need surgery. Some surgical procedures that might be effective for piles are as follows:
- Banding: It involves a doctor placing an elastic band around the pile base. It cuts the blood supply to hemorrhoids and falls off within a week.
- Sclerotherapy: A medicine is injected to make the hemorrhoid shrink and shrivel gradually. It is suitable for people with grade II and III hemorrhoids.
- Hemorrhoidectomy: It involves the complete removal of the pile tissue. The process is excellent for getting rid of piles completely. But it comes with complications like difficulty in passing stools.
- Infrared coagulation: The procedure involves using infrared light to burn the pile tissue.
- Hemorrhoid stapling: It revolves around the surgeon using staples to obstruct blood flow to the pile tissue.
Ending Note
Piles can be painful and often cause tremendous discomfort. But it does not cause any severe threat to an individual’s health. The condition is also self-manageable up to grade IV. But it is prudent to consult a doctor if you notice any symptoms of piles.
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