Anorectal Diseases - Piles, Fissure, Fistula Signs You Are Suffering From It!

The last part of the digestive system including the rectum and the anus is a highly vascular area. It receives a rich blood supply, and there could be swelling or tearing of these blood vessels resulting in anorectal conditions, piles, fistula, or fissures. Seeing blood in the toilet bowl can be an alarming thing. Read on to know how these occur and how to manage them effectively.

Piles: The swollen blood vessels in the anal region are referred to as piles. These can be internal or external, based on the distance from the anal canal. The ones which are farther inside the anal canal are called internal piles.

Why they occur:

1. Genetic
2. Smoking
3. Chronic constipation

Symptoms:

At the outset, piles present as painless bleeding with stools. This can be painless, and if left untreated, they can continue to grow and develop swelling and clotting.

Treatment: This would be two pronged with medicines to treat and food habits to prevent further growth of piles

1. For pain relief, topical medicines can be used
2. Dietary habits should be modified to include fiber-rich diet, with loads of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables
3. Processed and refined foods should be avoided
4. Hydration is very important in treatment and prevention

Fistula: An infected anal gland bursts into the anal canal, discharging pus constantly into the anal canal and becoming a fistula. This is mainly caused by unhygienic toilet habits and healthy toilet habits can prevent fistulas.

Symptoms:

1. There is a constant discharge of pus, giving a constant wet feeling. It could also be intermittent, with completely dry spells in between
2. There may or may not be pain, but when there is pus discharge, there could be a foul smell
3. Prevention is very easy and should be followed. Healthy toilet habits can help avoid fistula formation

Diagnosis and Treatment:

1. Prevention is the key in anal fistula
2. In severe cases, since this is internal, surgical correction may be required

Fissures: Cracks in any point along the length of the anal canal are called fissues and are very common. These are very painful and the person may dread going to the toilet.

Symptoms

1. Fissures are very painful, and a person with fissures usually refuses or avoids going to the toilet
2. In severe cases, there could be bleeding too, though in small quantities

Treatment:

1. It is often self-limiting
2. Lifestyle changes like switching to a fibrous diet and adequate hydration
3. Topical ointments for pain relief

Ayurvedic Treatment for Anorectal Diseases:

Ayurvedic Treatment: According to ayurveda, a disease occurs due to an impairment of the body energies. Ayurveda believes that the imparement of digestive system with the predominance of apana vata is the cause for fissures, and if bleeding occurs, it is due to Ranjaka Pitta. Ayurvedic Treatment for Anal Fissure improves digestion and metabolism. The treatment modalities includes Kshara Karma, panchakarma, external therapies, internal medications, Activities, Advice of food and life style changes.

Infrared Coagulation(IRC): IRC has been used for many years to treat internal hemorrhoids. It is less painful than surgery and can be preformed in the physician’s office. IRC involves the application of infrared light to the base of the hemorrhoid, which clots the hemorrhoid. Although you will occasionally feel the warmth, there generally is minimal pain or discomfort.You may return to your normal lifestyle immediately after treatment.Usually 3 to 5 treatments are required at 2 to 3 week intervals to obtain the desired result.

KSHARA SUTRA THERAPY (MEDICATED CAUSTIC THREAD): Kshara Sutra therapy is a minimal invasive Ayurvedic Parasurgical procedure and time-tested Ayurvedic technique in the management of Anorectal disorders. It is a safe, sure and cost effective method of treatment for fistula-in-ano, haemorrhoids and other sinus diseases. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!