Do you bleed or feel pain during bowel movements, or the skin around your anus feels sore or itches? Or maybe there's a lump in or around your anus, or you feel as if your bowels haven't emptied completely? Then you may be suffering from piles. Piles or hemorrhoids are essentially swollen veins and muscles in your anal canal or around your anus. And they may stay inside your anus or come outside depending on the severity of the affliction.

Often, piles can be successfully treated with high-fiber diet, proper hygiene, and topical medicines or ointments. But in situations where non-surgical methods don't achieve desired results, surgery becomes the only option. And this may be particularly necessary for those suffering from large painful or bleeding hemorrhoids. The different surgical options are given below:

Hemorrhoidectomy - In this procedure, the surgeon makes incisions around the anus to remove the piles formations. Local or general anesthesia is offered during the operation, and you can usually return home on the same day. After the procedure, the area might require stitches and commonly remains very tender and painful for quite some time.
PPH or Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids - This method is minimally invasive and makes use of a stapler-like machine for repositioning the hemorrhoids and cutting off their blood supply. So eventually, the piles shrink and die without blood supply and your pain diminishes greatly. With this process, you can expect a faster recovery, less itching and bleeding, and minimal complications, if any.
Laser - An accurate and special laser beam is used in this method, to burn off the hemorrhoids.
Rubber Band Ligation - This procedure can be used for areas with fewer pain receptors. In this, a rubber band is tied around the base of hemorrhoid to stem the blood supply and destroy the affected tissue.
Sclerotherapy - This method involves the injection of a chemical solution around the blood vessel which supplies the hemorrhoid tissues, to shrink and kill them. Though non-invasive methods are preferred by many since they create less pain, hemorrhoidectomy may provide more long-lasting benefits. Here are some other aspects you need to consider regarding piles surgery:
Risks - Infection, bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, trouble with urination, fecal incontinence are some of the risks involved, though the surgery is usually quite safe.
Ways of treating pain - Pain, especially during and after a bowel movement, can be an issue for several days after the surgery. But it can be dealt with by taking prescribed pain medications, stool softeners, and soaking in a warm bath. Recovery can take up to 3 to 6 weeks after the procedure.
Avoiding recurrence - Following a high-fiber diet, maintaining good hygiene, taking lots of fluids, and avoiding straining or constipation can prevent piles from coming back.

What You Should Know About Piles Surgery

Piles, fistula and fissures are the most common problems affecting the rectum and the anus. Both the rectum as well as the anus has a very rich vascular supply. There could be swelling of these blood vessels or tearing which can lead to the above conditions. Read on to know additional details about each of these conditions. 

Piles: In simple words, swollen blood vessels of the anal region are called piles. It can be internal or external, depending on how far it is from the anal canal. If it is located farther inside the anal canal, it is called internal piles.

Causes:

Chronic constipation, where the person has to strain to pass stools
Smoking and genetics can also lead to piles.
Symptoms: Starts off as painless bleeding, which happens in drops after bowel movement; the swelling happens much later. They can continue to grow and develop blood clots.

Treatment:

In the early stages, once identified, simple topical medications for symptom relief are sufficient.
Diet should be rich in fiber, with fruits and vegetables
Increased water consumption
Surgery if the disease has reached the stage of blood clots
Prevention is advised if there is a family history by consuming a fiber-rich diet and maintaining hydration
Fistula: When an infected anal gland bursts into the anal canal, it constantly discharges pus into the anal canal and becomes a fistula. Hygienic toilet habits can help in preventing fistulas.

Symptoms:

A constant wet feeling in the anal area, due to pus discharge.
This would be intermittent, and there would be periods with no discharge.
There could be a foul smell due to pus discharge.
Diagnosis and Treatment:

Identifying the exact location is important as surgery may be required.
An ultrasound scan or an MRI is usually done.
Newer techniques like Video Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT) are used. This locates the piles accurately and uses electric current to seal it with staples and surgical glue.
Conventional surgery is also used for economic or accessibility reasons.
Fissures: These cracks anywhere in the length of the anal canal are extremely common.
Symptoms

Very painful and the person may not want to go to the toilet
Rarely bleeding is also seen, maybe in very small amounts
Treatment:

Over 90% of the fissures do not require surgery
Switching to a high-fiber diet and improving hydration will help in managing these symptoms.
Topical relief can be provided by medications.
When they are recurrent, a procedure known as lateral sphincterotomy is done. This is an outpatient procedure and provides immediate relief.
Though one condition can lead to another, in most people, there is a strong genetic component, and working towards prevention is highly recommended.

Piles, Fistula and Fissures - Can Ayurveda Help You?

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!

Are you suffering from piles and are looking for an effective and natural treatment measure? You can now opt for an Ayurvedic treatment of piles, which is an effective and an all-natural remedy. Piles or hemorrhoids refer to the swelling inside or near the bottom of your rectum, which contains enlarged blood vessels. The cause of piles is associated with increased pressure in the blood vessels near your anus. 

Here are some top Ayurvedic ways for treating piles:

Avoid a sedentary lifestyle: Sitting in the same posture for long hours without any movement can lead to piles. The lack of physical activity is a common cause of piles in modern day. Hence, it is important for you to work out, stay fit, and active. You must exercise every day strictly for treating and preventing piles.
Avoid food items which are difficult to digest: Piles develop because of an increased pressure on the walls of the rectum. So eat light food, which is easy to digest and eliminate as stool. You should add a lot of fruits and vegetables to your regular diet.  
Consume food items which improve your digestion: In case of a weak digestive system, you should add probiotic rich food to your diet. You can also take probiotic supplements which enhance your digestion, soften your stools, and exert less pressure on your rectum walls.
Have a detox drink daily: Prepare a mixture of ginger, fresh mint, lemon juice, and honey and drink it. This improves your digestion and treats piles. Add food items such as mango seeds, onion, radish, wheat, rice, turnip, sesame seeds, bitter gourd, papaya, and other  fiber rich stuff to your diet. 
Increase your water intake: Dehydration causes the stool to turn hard, making bowel movements difficult. So drink a lot of water for enabling the stool to pass easily.
Dried figs: Soak dried figs in warm water and consume them in the morning. This is very effective in curing piles.
Prevention
You can prevent piles or hemorrhoids from affecting you by taking some simple steps. 

Drinking sufficient water and eating fiber-rich food is the key. 
Also drink castor oil mixed with milk, which makes your stool soft, and helps it pass easily. It also reduces the pressure on your rectum walls and muscles. 
Massaging your abdomen using marjoram oil and rosemary oil is quite effective. 
To know more about the best Ayurvedic remedies, which are ideal for treating your condition and diagnosing the specific symptoms or problems you are facing, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Piles - 6 Amazing Tips That Can Treat It!

Hemmorroids can be really uncomfortable and keep you in pain all through the day. One of the best and fastest way to get relief from this condition is to get them removed for good which can be easily done with the help of the surgery. The recovery period after a hemorrhoid surgery typically varies from one to two weeks depending on a host of aspects such as severity of hemorrhoids, the number of hemorrhoids as well as the type of treatment. During this span, a certain level of pain and discomfort is expected, but with some useful care tips, you can get some relief within a few days after the surgery.

Making lifestyle changes: After the surgical intervention, the patient must be on bed rest for a week or so. This is because, during this time, the surgical wounds can reopen at any time if caution is not exercised. If you have excessive body weight, it is recommended that you should lose weight after this surgery. This must be done healthily so that the stress is reduced in the rectum area while an individual squat or sits down. This could lead to the recurrence of hemorrhoids in the long run. After the first few weeks, the patient must take a 10-minute brisk walk regularly.
Take painkillers: In case the pain from hemorrhoids worsens after the surgery, you may consider taking painkillers. Many patients tend to use these medications to recover from hemorrhoids surgery, and you should take only prescription drugs only.
Keep up with a healthy diet: You should make it a habit of eating a high-fiber diet and taking adequate amounts of fluid every day. This will not just accelerate the recovery process but prevent the recurrence of hemorrhoids. For best results, this should be practiced a few weeks before and after the surgery.
Try different home remedies: In addition to the common methods of easing pain and discomfort after hemorrhoids surgery, you may also try different types of home remedies. Make sure that the wound is always clean and you can also use gels and creams for minimizing irritation.
Alleviate itchiness: During the hemorrhoid surgery recovery, you are likely to experience itchiness which is a characteristic of a recovery period. This is a common symptom of external hemorrhoids, and to reduce it, you can take a sitz bath. Your doctor may also prescribe a topical medication depending on the location and severity of the problem.
Educate yourself about the surgery and post-operative care: This is presumably the most important aspect of caring for hemorrhoids surgery. You should learn about the common complications of this surgery and how you can overcome them.
Know when you can call a doctor: During the recovery process, it is critical to follow the instructions as given by the doctor. You should maintain the follow-up treatment with your doctor so that you can report him of any health problems and discomfort to take required steps.
With care and caution, you may recover easily from hemorrhoid surgery and return to normal life soon.

Hemorrhoids Surgery - 7 Tips To Help You Recover!

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?

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