Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins or blood vessels, which can be internal (located inside rectum) or external (located outside rectum). They might be managed by increasing fluid intake and a high-fiber diet. Sometimes, Hemorrhoids might get infected and irritated to an extent that they require surgical removal.

Causes of Hemorrhoids:

Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in blood vessels around the anus, causing them to swell and inflame which might be caused by a number of reasons.

Prolonged constipation

Chronic diarrhoea

Obesity

Aging

Pregnancy as it increases pressure on pelvic blood vessels

Weight lifting

Family history of Hemorrhoids

Persistent cough

Vomiting repeatedly

Sitting continuously for a very long period of time.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids:

Some of the common symptoms of Hemorrhoids are:

Internal Hemorrhoids might bleed painlessly after bowel movement, but are problematic if they bleed too heavily.

External Hemorrhoids might also bleed after bowel movement, but often become irritating and painful.

External Hemorrhoids can lead to blood clots inside the vessel, which can cause severe pain. Proper treatment for such Hemorrhoids involves  incision and drainage  procedure.

Itchy and sore bottom.

A lump hanging off the anus.

Types of Hemorrhoids:

The type of Hemorrhoids decides the course of action for treatment.

First degree Hemorrhoids are small swellings which develop on inner lining of anus, being invisible from outside.

Second degree Hemorrhoids are larger swellings which might come out of the anus during bowel movement before disappearing inside again.

Third degree Hemorrhoids are lumps hanging off the anus which can be pushed back inside.

Fourth degree Hemorrhoids are larger lumps hanging down from the anus but cannot be pushed back inside.

Surgeries without Anesthesia:

Banding or rubber band ligation involves using a tight band around the base of Hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. It takes two or more procedures to be performed about two months apart.

Having the best success rate for small and internal Hemorrhoids, sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical into Hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink and stop bleeding.

Coagulation therapy or infrared photocoagulation uses infrared light (heat or extreme cold) to retract and shrink the Hemorrhoid and is usually performed along with an anoscopy.

Hemorrhoidal artery ligation (HAL) or transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) locates blood vessels causing Hemorrhoids to close them off.

Surgeries with Anesthesia:

Hemorrhoidectomy is used for large and external Hemorrhoids which do not respond to non- surgical intervention. So, they are cut out. Anesthesia can be general, regional, or local in this procedure. It takes longer time to recover completely.

Hemorrhoidopexy or stapling requires general, regional, or local anesthesia, and is used to treat prolapsed Hemorrhoids. A surgical staple cuts off the blood supply to Hemorrhoids to make the tissue shrink and reabsorb. It takes relatively less time for a full recovery.

Post- Surgical Care:

Some of the post care instructions are as follows

Painkillers might be prescribed for rectal and anal pain.

Consumption of a high-fiber diet prevents constipation and recurrence of Hemorrhoids.

Staying hydrated helps a lot.

Avoid heavy weight lifting and pulling.

Sitz bath helps to deal with post- surgical discomfort.

Seek medical help if having painful urination, fever, or dizziness.

Non-surgical Management of Hemorrhoids:

Hemorrhoids can be managed non-surgically by reducing strain in and around the anus.

Consuming a high fiber diet including cereals, fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds, etc.

Consuming healthy fluids like water but avoiding alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

No delaying the emptying of the bowels.

Preventing constipation.

Weight management to lose excess body weight.

Regular exercise.

Take Away:

Hemorrhoids, if not severe, can be managed non- surgically. But if they get very painful and severe, surgical intervention through a number of techniques might be required; each one of them being safe, depending upon the severity of the situation.

Surgery For Hemorrhoids - What Should You Know?

Piles or Haemorrhoids is a disorder characterized by bleeding from anal opening during defecation. This bleeding can be in the form of drops or spurts. If untreated; mass protruding out from rectum is noticed. Initially this Pile mass gets reduced by itself but later on it progresses further so manual reduction of Pile mass becomes necessary. Later on these pile masses come out even on coughing sneezing, walking etc. Depending of their site of origin; these are divided in to internal and external Piles. 

How can you tell if you have Piles? 
Painless bleeding is the first sign of Piles. If it is not treated at this stage Pile mass protrudes out from Anal opening. The symptoms of piles are  

Internal Piles: 

In first stage, painless bleeding is the only symptom of Piles. 
In second stage, pile mass protrudes out from Anus during defecation which gets reduced by itself. In late second stage; Pile mass needs to be reduced manually. 
In third stage; Pile masses again come out after manual reduction. During sneezing coughing and walking also pile mass come out. 
External piles: A solid/ semi-solid lump in the anal region which becomes prominent while passing stools is the external haemorrhoid. When inflamed it constitutes of coagulated blood these are known as external haemorrhoids. 

Why do Piles occur? 
Piles occur when pressure in the lower rectum increases unduly. Due to this undue pressure, the blood vessels in the anus and rectum become swollen and bulge out. The causes behind this undue increase in pressure are  

Chronic diarrhoea 
Chronic constipation 
Pregnancy 
Lifting heavy weights 
Putting too much pressure while passing stool 
The Ayurvedic Approach To Piles Treatment- 
The ayurvedic approach to treating piles is a mix of exercise, lifestyle changes, diet, supplements and medication. The primary cause of piles being constipation, a large portion of the treatment is focused on improving the patient s digestive health and bowel movement. 

Haritaki churna is recommended to soften stool. 
Fibre rich foods like green leafy vegetables salads should be consumed in adequate quantity. 
To soften the stools, foods like papaya, amalaki, and figs are advised. 
A regular ayurvedic colon cleanse is very beneficial to keep the digestive system in good condition. Some other measures you should adopt are  

Take plenty of liquids like water, butter milk fruit juices etc. Butter milk is specially beneficial in Piles. 
Do regular Exercise 
Avoid sedentary lifestyle. 
Along with this Kshar Karma is done at week or 10 days interval. In this treatment specialized Ayurvedic medicine is applied on Pile masses. Kshar Karma stops bleeding and suppresses Pile masses. When these measures do not work and the Pile masses are big enough to remain inside and protrude out often; Ksharsutra ligation of Pile mass is recommended. 

In this treatment; Ksharsutra   a medicated thread is ligated at the root of Pile masses. Medicine released from thread blocks the blood supply of pile mass and Pile mass sheds off within 5-7 days. No hospitalization or bed rest is required in this treatment. Patient can continue his daily routine activities as usual. So Ayurvedic Kshar Karma and Ksharsutra are quite effective in treating Piles in all its stages and Piles can be treated completely without surgery.

An Ayurvedic Approach To Piles Treatment!

It s easy talking about cuts and bruises on your arms and legs but talking about hemorrhoids can be a bit embarrassing. Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen blood vessels in the rectum. They can be internal or external and can irritate bowel movements. Though this condition is not life threatening, it can be quite painful. Hence, it should be treated as early as possible. Homeopathy is a holistic form of healing that addresses the root cause of the problem to resolve it. Here are a few homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat hemorrhoids.

    Hamamelis: Hemorroids that bleed excessively can be treated with this homeopathic remedy. It also treats soreness and bruising caused by the swollen blood vessels. In such cases, the person also often suffers from anemia, breathlessness and weakness.
    Ratanhia: This is one of the best homeopathic remedies to treat painful piles. This pain is usually triggered by the passing of stool, but can persist for hours afterwards. It may also be accompanied by a burning sensation that can be relieved by cold water. In such cases, the passing of stool causes hemorrhoids to protrude.
    Graphites: Piles that are accompanied by constipation can be effectively treated with graphites. It is also suited for cases where the condition is triggered by obesity and menstrual irregularities.
    Nux Vomica: Hemorrhoids caused by a sedentary lifestyle are best treated with Nux Vomica. In such cases, the patient also suffers from burning pain in the rectum and constipation. Eating a lot of heavy food and the ingestion of stimulants like alcohol can trigger this condition. Nux vomica helps set the gastrointestinal system back in order and thus prevents the recurrence of piles.
    Aesculus: Piles that are accompanied by unexplained pain in the back can be treated with Aesculus. These piles may or may not bleed, but the rectum feels as though it is filled with sticks. In such cases, the patient may also feel intense itching, burning and soreness around the rectum.
    Arsenic album: This is used to treat piles that are accompanied by burning pain and restlessness that can be relieved by the application of heat packs. These patients also suffer from painful spasmodic protrusions of the rectum.
    Collinsonia: Hemorroids that cause incessant bleeding and a prolapsed rectum can be treated with collinsonia. The piles often protrude out of the anus in this situation and are associated with chronic constipation or diarrhea. It can also be used to treat piles associated with pregnancy.

Homeopathic Remedies That Can Help Treat Hemorrhoids

Rarely do people ascribe Erectile Dysfunction to Hemorrhoids. Yet the correlation between the two is not far-fetched. Research has suggested that men who have suffered from Hemorrhoids in the last year are at an increased risk of developing Erectile Dysfunction. These two conditions are apparently incongruous. For someone suffering from Erectile Dysfunction, there is a lack of blood flow to the penis. For someone suffering from Hemorrhoids, there is swelling of veins inside the rectum. 

Younger people are more at risk unlike most diseases like High blood pressure, Alzheimer s diseases etc which are progressively more likely to occur in older men, this problem is more likely in younger than in older men. The study found that about 24.9% men under 40 years, who had been diagnosed with hemorrhoids in the last year, had suffered from Erectile Dysfunction. So the correlation is more prevalent in younger men than older men. According to the findings of the study, men aged 30 or less are more likely to experience Erectile Dysfunction after being diagnosed with Hemorrhoids in the last year. Moreover, men between the ages of 30-39 are twice more likely to suffer from Erectile Dysfunction if diagnosed with Hemorrhoids in the last year.

The correlation between age and likelihood of occurrence of Erectile Dysfunction due to Hemorrhoids is quite clear from these findings. The Apparent reason according to researchers in the study, localized swelling of varicose veins in the deep anus region may be responsible for some local irritation which can give rise to Erectile Dysfunction. Manage the Pain First Young men, who are suffering from Erectile Dysfunction, ostensibly arising out of the presence or history of Hemorrhoids in the past year, need to first manage the pain due to Hemorrhoids. Pain arising out of Hemorrhoids can be very difficult to put up with. A decrease in hemorrhoids pain can reduce the discomfort to some extent. Bleeding during bowel movement, intense pain during and after sitting, a feeling of itchiness or irritation near the anus etc are all indicators of hemorrhoids. If one has to habitually push hard during a bowel movement, he/she is more likely to suffer from Hemorrhoids, since the varicose veins can swell up during such hard pushing. 

The solution to alleviate pain, one can use various topical solutions containing Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera. These are anti-inflammatory herbs. Most of the anti-hemorrhoid creams contain either of these two. Apart from using topical solutions, one needs to change his dietary habits. One should abstain from foods that upset the stomach and adopt foods that soften the stool. This can help one avoid straining while moving bowels and spare the varicose veins from being inflamed. One can also benefit by practicing anal breathing which exercises the PC muscles and the anal sphincter. This could benefit both Hemorrhoids and Erectile Dysfunction.

Hemorrhoids - How It Increase Risk Of Erectile Dysfunction?

When a condition is painful, it is common to hate it. And, when the condition is the piles, you will hate it more, because, along with the pain it might embarrass you as well. Characterized by the enlargement of blood vessels that surround the anus, when the veins tend to swell towards the lower-end of the rectum and anus, it is called piles. Swelling of the veins that are located within the rectum is called internal haemorrhoids. External piles is a condition where the veins towards the external part of the anal verge become swollen.

Symptoms that you may not fail to notice

Red blood spots on toilet paper, stools, or toilet bowl are a few symptoms of piles. This occurs when the pressure within the veins increases and causes them to tear and cause bleeding.
The patient also experiences pain during and after passing stools. This is due to inflammation of the veins that causes their swelling. The swollen veins apply strain on the muscles, cause spasms and is the reason for the discomfort that patients experience.
Persons suffering from piles may also face itching around the anal portion. The inflamed veins ooze mucous that gives rise to inflammation around the anus and causes itching.
Know the causes and how you can prevent it:

The primary cause for the piles is attributed to one factor which is heightened abdominal pressure. 
Consequently, there is a build-up of pressure in the veins around the anus that causes the piles disorder.
The various causes for an increase in abdominal pressure are flatulence, constipation, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diarrhea, pregnancy and sitting for prolonged durations.
What is the approach? 
Homeopathy serves as an effective cure for piles because it adopts a holistic approach. The homeopathic medicines are prescribed after studying the medical history of the patient and present physical condition. The person s predisposition to illnesses is also scrutinized by the homeopaths.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits are recognized to be the reason for bloating of the anal veins and piles symptoms. Hence, homeopathy aims to correct the underlying conditions that are causing the discomfort.

Why homeopathy?
Homeopathy medications are considered effectual for alleviating the discomfort of the hemorrhoids by controlling the bleeding. Additionally, the treatment methods provide a permanent cure for the disorder because they address the underlying cause. The treatment is also focused on treating conditions that give rise to piles. And, there are no worries of side effects.

So, if you have been suffering from piles for a while now and seeking a definitive cure without side effects, you can very well opt for homeopathy under the able guidance of a homeopath practician.


Piles - Treating It The Right Way With Homeopathy!

Piles or haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus. They can have a lot of possible causes, but the exact reason is still unknown. The one most common reason that researchers cite is the excessive straining during bowel movement and increased pressure on the veins during pregnancy. Some of the common signs of this condition include discomfort, bleeding, and itching. A clot can be witnessed occasionally. There could be swelling around the anus as well.

How is a pile diagnosed?
Doctors often recognize this condition just by doing a physical exam of the rectum. By lubricating the glove and inserting a finger into the rectum, a doctor can gauge any unusual growth around the rectum area. A doctor might also use a sigmoidoscopy or a proctoscopy to witness the lower portion of the colon. Apart from this, a doctor might prescribe a colonoscopy, if he fathoms that there is a possibility of colorectal cancer or a disease related to the digestive system.

Treatment of piles

Medication: In case of mild discomfort, a doctor might prescribe over-the-counter pads, ointments, creams or suppositories. Products such as these contain lidocaine, witch hazel or hydrocortisone that can relieve a person from itching and pain. One should stop consuming over-the-counter medicine, if there is no change in the condition.
Haemorrhoid thrombectomy: If a clot has appeared along with a pile in the rectum, a doctor can remove it by making an incision and draining the clot. This can fetch instant relief. The best time to do this is within 72 hours of clot formation.
Minimally invasive procedures: 
Rubber band litigation: This form of surgery involves placing of a couple of rubber band at the base of the piles to cut off blood circulation. In due course, the haemorrhoids fall off. Although this form of treatment works for many people, the patient has the risk of bleeding within few days of placing the rubber band.
Sclerotherapy: This form of treatment involves injecting a chemical into the haemorrhoid. The chemical shrinks the piles within few days. There is hardly any pain involved with sclerotherapy.
Surgical procedure:
Haemorrhoidectomy: This is the process by which a surgeon eradicates the excess tissue that might be causing the piles. The patient is sedated before performing this procedure. Some amount of pain is experienced after the procedure is over. The temporary difficulty of urination can be faced by a patient after this procedure.
Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: This surgery is only performed for internal haemorrhoids. The process involves blocking the blood supply. The process of stapling has less pain compared to a Haemorrhoidectomy. On the flip side, studies have shown that this procedure has an increased chance of recurrence of haemorrhoids.


Piles - Diagnosis and Treatment

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