Is Constipation the Only Cause of Piles? + It's Symptoms

Piles, which are also called hemorrhoids, refer to the swelling of the veins near the anus and rectum, which get irritated during bowel movements, causing pain and bleeding during stool motions. The veins near the rectum or the anus may rupture during strained bowel movements and thus, cause the blood to come out with the stool. This can be very painful for the patient and has a very disruptive effect on their lives.

Causes of Piles

There may be many causes for piles or hemorrhoids and the cause may vary from patient to patient. Let's have a look at a few of them.

Straining when passing a stool - This is by far the most common reason for piles and this is what causes the irritation on the veins or causes them to rupture

Chronic Constipation: People suffering from chronic constipation due to gastrointestinal problems may also suffer from piles due to putting pressure constantly to relieve themselves.

Lifting a heavy weight or doing strenuous work: This can also put physical stress on the anus or rectum and cause swollen veins, which may then rupture during the passage of stool.

Pregnancy - Pregnancy causes many hormonal changes in the body and the strain may also result in piles.

Symptoms of Piles

Some of the symptoms of piles or hemorrhoids are:

- Painful bowel movements, which hurt the rectum or the anus, accompanied by general tenderness within the region
- Bleeding or seeping of a bright red color blood onto the stool on the toilet or even on toilet paper
- Itching in the anal areas, which may be continuous or intermittent
- A swelling or lump near the anus, which is painful
- A mucus-like discharge from the anus

There may be one or more factors present in particular cases and if there is a pain in the rectal area, it is best to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

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Is Constipation the Only Cause of Piles? + It's Symptoms

Hemorrhoids are masses, clumps, cushions of tissue in the anal canal - they are full of blood vessels, support tissue, muscle and elastic fibers.

Although hemorrhoids are thought of as unpleasant inflammations, we all have them.1 It is when the hemorrhoidal cushions become too big (inflamed) that problems occur - when this happens they are called piles or pathological hemorrhoids.

"Piles" are the swollen ones that are painful and cause problems, hemorrhoids can refer to the swollen ones (pathological hemorrhoids) or simply the normal structure. 

Piles can be of various sizes and may be internal (inside the anus) or external ones (outside the anus). Typically, internal piles occur from 2 to 4cm above the opening of the anus. External piles (perianal hematoma) occur on the outside edge of the anus. The internal ones are much more common.

Internal hemorrhoids -

They are classified into four grades:

Grade 1 - there are small inflammations, usually inside the lining of the anus. They are not visible.
Grade 2 - larger than Grade 1 hemorrhoids, and also inside the anus. When passing a stool they may get pushed out, but soon return.
Grade 3 - often called 'prolapsed hemorrhoids'; these appear outside the anus. The patient may feel them hanging out. They can be pushed back in if the patient presses with his/her finger.
Grade 4 - these cannot be pushed back in and need to be treated by a doctor. They are large and stay outside the anus all the time.
External hemorrhoids -

called perianal hematoma. These are small lumps that are located on the outside edge of the anus. They are extremely itchy and can be painful if a blood clot forms inside (thrombosed external hemorrhoid). Thrombosed external hemorrhoid requires medical treatment straight away.

What are the signs and symptoms of piles?

A symptom is something the patient feels and describes, such as a pain, while a sign is something everybody can see, such as a rash.

A hard lump may be felt around the anus. It consists of coagulated blood, called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. This can be extremely painful.
After going to the toilet, a feeling that the bowels are still full.
Bright red blood after a bowel movement.
Itchiness in the anus area.
Mucus discharge when emptying the bowels.
Pain while defecating.
The anus area may be red and sore.
When passing a stool the person may strain excessively.
Why do piles occur?

The blood vessels around the anus and in the rectum will stretch under pressure and may swell or bulge. Inflamed veins (hemorrhoids) can develop when pressure increases in the lower rectum. This may be due to:

Chronic constipation
Chronic diarrhoea
Lifting heavy weights.11
Pregnancy.12
Straining when passing a stool.13
The tendency to develop hemorrhoids may also be inherited. The risk of developing piles grows with age

What are the treatment options for piles?

In the majority of cases, piles resolve on their own without the need for any treatment. Treatments can help significantly reduce the discomfort and itching that many patients experience.

A good doctor will initially recommend some lifestyle changes.

Diet - piles can be caused by too much straining when doing bowel movements, which is the result of constipation. A change in diet can help keep the stools regular and soft. This involves eating more fiber, such as fruit and vegetables, or even switching your cereal breakfast to bran.16

Water is the best drink, and the patient may be advised to increase his/her water consumption. Some experts say too much caffeine is not good.

Body weight - if the patient is obese, losing weight may help reduce the incidence and severity of hemorrhoids.

Simple things you can do yourself to help prevent piles:

Try not to strain when you go to the toilet.
Avoid laxatives.
Exercise.
HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT FOR PILES

it is treated  in homeopathy by constitutional medications which relives ressure and which initiates free stools. Thus, constitutional homeopathic medications restore your body s normal functions.

Hemorrhoids - Everything You Should Know About It!

Piles can be really painful and embarrassing but fairly common at the same time. it should not be taken as a social stigma as with awareness and proper treatment, the condition can be managed and treated well. If overlooked then it may lead to many complications which are difficult to manage.

In Ayurveda, a complete cure to haemorrhoids is possible, so seeking medical attention can be of great help to relieve you from this condition. Piles, also known as Haemorrhoids is a condition in which veins at the lower end of rectum get inflamed and enlarged. When pressure on the rectum and anus increases, it causes added pressure to these veins, resulting in formation of haemorrhoids. They may burst and cause rectal bleeding. Haemorrhoids are most commonly found in middle-aged and old people while also in people who suffer from regular constipation. 

Types of Piles -

Haemorrhoids are of two kinds, internal and external based on their location. Internal haemorrhoids are located in the inner lining of the anal tract. These veins within the rectum are concealed and cannot be felt so they are painless but when ruptured can lead to bleeding. External haemorrhoids are located on the outer surface of the rectum and can be seen, felt and when inflamed become painful. These are the more troubling type of piles. 

Causes and Symptoms of Piles 

Piles are caused mostly by constipation, but other causes may include untreated gastric conditions such as dysentery, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, genetic constitution and weight of increasing uterus during pregnancy. 
If you are experiencing bleeding in anal region during defecation without any pain; you are suffering from 1st stage of Piles. If problem is not treated at this stage; Pile masses start progressing. 
In starting, Pile mass come out during passing stool and go inside by itself (2nd stage). Later on these pile masses need to be reduced manually. If still Piles is not treated; Pile mass comes out again even after manual reduction while coughing, sneezing etc. (3rd stage). While piles may be an embarrassing issue to talk about, it should not be ignored either. It can be easily dealt with simple ways, and in most cases, all it takes is some lifestyle changes to get rid of the problem. 
However, if left untreated, there could lead to severe complications. Some of them have been listed below. 

Bleeding: In patients who have chronic bleeding, it could lead to chronic blood loss. Patient can develop anaemia because of this regular bleeding. 
Mass protruding out from anal opening: If Piles are not treated at 1st stage; it can lead to development of pile mass which protrudes out from anal opening while passing stool and go inside. In later stages; this pile mass come out even on sneezing and coughing. At this stage they are prone to get infected as most of the time Piles are outside the anal opening. 
Hygiene issues: The itching and discharges can lead to the patient having poor hygiene around the anal area. This further can lead to complications like infections. The area around the anus also becomes difficult to clean if the masses are more in number and size. 
Surgical correction may be attempted in severe cases, but this also can lead complications in some people. These include: 
Excessive bleeding which does not stop after the surgery. 
Postsurgical infection 
Anal fistula, which is a connection between the area of piles and the anal canal. 
Damage to sphincter muscles leads to faecal incontinence, which is a loss of control over passing stool.
Ayurveda Treatment of Piles 
Ayurveda has various approaches to the treatment of piles. Piles can be treated by diet, lifestyle, herbal supplements, Ayurvedic medication, and exercise. Ensuring good digestive health helps with piles if constipation is the cause of it. 

Vegetables such as onion, bitter gourd, radish, and turnip are high on roughage and are a must to add to your diet as well. 
Other than the diet you need to introduce specific lifestyle changes such as a colon cleanse every once in a while, and regular exercise. 
Increase water intake, up to 8 glasses per day. 
Keep away from processed foods 
Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables 
Do not sit for more than an hour in one position 
Stick to stool timings and develop good stool habits 
Do not suppress the urge to pass stools for too long and for too often 
So, follow the instructions of your Ayurveda doctor to embark on the road to cure. If these measurements are not successful; kshar karma or Ksharsutra ligation of Pile mass is necessary. In the ligation procedure; Ksharsutra   medicated thread is legated at the root of Pile mass. 

Medicine released from Ksharsutra blocks the blood supply to pile mass and Pile mass sheds off in 7   10 days. Ksharsutra ligation is a para surgical procedure done under local anaesthesia. No hospitalization or bed rest is necessary in Ksharsutra Treatment for Piles. Daily routine activities along with office work can be done during Ksharsutra Treatment. So Piles can be treated completely in all its stages with Ayurvedic treatment. However, this procedure is to be performed only by a surgical specialist of Ayurveda..

Painful Piles - Why You Should Not Ignore Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be very painful and are impossible to ignore. They can be defined as internal or external swollen veins. In some cases, making a few lifestyle changes such as eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water may be enough to relieve the problem. In other cases, surgery may be required. Surgery for hemorrhoids depends on the severity of the case. There are many different types of surgeries that may be performed.

Banding
Banding or rubber band ligation is a surgical process used to treat internal hemorrhoids. This involves placing a tight band around the hemorrhoid base to cut off its blood supply. This procedure does not involve the use of anesthesia.

Sclerotherapy
This is also used to treat internal hemorrhoids. It involves injecting a particular chemical into the hemorrhoid that makes the hemorrhoid shrink and keeps it from bleeding. This procedure does not involve the use of anesthesia.

Coagulation therapy
Coagulation therapy is also referred to as infrared photocoagulation. The procedure involves the use of infrared light and extreme heat and cold. The aim here is to help the hemorrhoid shrink and retract. It may be performed with an anoscopy. An anoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to look inside the rectum with the help of a scope. This procedure does not involve the use of anesthesia.

Hemorrhoidal artery ligation
Hemorrhoidal artery ligation (HAL) or transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is often used to remove hemorrhoids. It involves using an ultrasound to locate the swollen blood vessels and then closing these off. This procedure does not involve the use of anesthesia.

Hemorrhoidectomy
Large external hemorrhoids can be treated with a hemorrhoidectomy. Internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed and are not responding to other forms of treatment can also be treated with this procedure. The procedure is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The hemorrhoids are then cut off surgically. Hospitalization may be required for a few days after this procedure.

Hemorrhoidopexy
This procedure is also known as stapling and may be performed while the patient is under local or general anesthesia. It is typically used to treat prolapsed hemorrhoids. During the procedure, the doctor staples the prolapsed hemorrhoid to the walls of the rectum and cuts of the blood supply to the affected vein. By doing this, the tissue is allowed to shrink and be reabsorbed into the body. As compared to a hemorrhoidectomy, stapling is less painful and has a quicker recovery time. 

Surgical Treatment Of Hemorrhoids!

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

5 Foods to eat if you suffer from Piles

Piles, commonly known as hemorrhoid is a condition that leads to pain, discomfort and irritation while passing stool. It is caused due to inflammation of the veins in the lower rectum area. Piles is of two types: internal and external, one can suffer from both simultaneously. The damage in the lower rectum area is a result of aging, chronic constipation, pregnancy, diarrhea and consuming processed food on a daily basis. Piles also lead to bleeding not just while passing the stool but anytime. It is recommended to monitor one's diet and construct a plan that helps to diminish the problem. Here are certain types of foods which can help you deal with Piles better.

Whole grains

People suffering from piles are recommended to include a lot of healthy whole grains into their diet like bran cereal, brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta. These fiber rich foods soften the stool and help reduce the pain.

Leafy green vegetables

Green vegetables are packed with antioxidants and nutrients that help with digestion. Strengthening the digestive system is important while treating piles. Broccoli, sprouts, carrots, brussels, cabbage, tomato, asparagus, cauliflower, onions, cucumber are some of the vegetables that one should consume while battling piles.

Fruits

Fruits are high in nutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins that help to regulate the bowel movement. Fruits that can be eaten with their skin on like apples, prunes, raisins, grapes, berries are full of fiber and are very beneficial. The ones that have to be eaten without the skin are good too, for example, papaya, banana, oranges.

Beans

Beans are high in fiber content and should be included in regular meals of a piles patient. Kidney, black, lima, navy beans, black-eyed peas, legumes are some good options.

Water

Although it is not a food, water is an important ingredient when it comes to treating piles. It is advisable to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily which helps with the smooth functioning of the bowel movement.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'Consult'.

5 Foods Items You Should Eat In Piles Problem

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