Piles Treatment - Procedure, Cost And Side Effects

People who are afflicted with chronic constipation can develop piles due to the exertion of pressure while passing stools. This exertion of pressure causes swelling in the anus and the anal canal which are known as hemorrhoids. It occurs when there is an inflammation in the hemorrhoids. The factors that increase one’s risk of developing the condition include old age, genetics, pregnancy and chronic constipation.

The condition may occur either inside or outside the anus. Depending upon the place it is classified into two types:

• Internal piles: Which are located 2 cm to 4 cm inside the anus opening.
• External piles: Which occur just around the edge of the anus.

Internal piles occur more commonly than external piles. This condition is more common in males and generally affects men who are 25 years and above. In India, more men in cities are affected by this medical problem than in villages.

The symptoms of piles include:

• Development of coagulated blood, resulting in a lump near the anus. It can cause severe pain.
• The appearance of blood during a bowel movement.
• Pain and itching near the anus.
• Soreness and redness near the anus.

Piles generally occur because of the following reasons:

• Excessive spicy food intake.
• Chronic constipation and diarrhoea.
• Women generally suffer from piles during pregnancy.
• This problem can also be hereditary and with age the risk of developing this problem increases.

Once piles have been diagnosed and it is determined that a range of treatments and procedures are available to treat the condition. Piles treatments are divided mainly into two types; surgical and non-surgical. Patients can be afflicted by this condition at different degrees. Therefore, they can opt for any treatment as per the doctors prescription.

Surgical procedures for the treatment of piles:

The two main piles surgeries are hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoid stapling.

• Hemorrhoidectomy: The procedure of the hemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of piles begins with an administration of general or even spinal anaesthesia. This means that the patient will be unconscious during the procedure and will not experience any pain. The surgeon gently opens the anus and then removes the hemorrhoids or the excess tissue that is causing the bleeding. This surgery helps to successfully eliminate the condition of piles. But it is possible certain complications, such as a urinary tract infection or constipation, to arise post-surgery.
• Hemorrhoids: While this procedure is less painful than a hemorrhoidectomy, it has a higher risk of complications. The patient is administered with either local or general anaesthesia before the hemorrhoid-stapling surgery. The procedure involves the removal of the excess hemorrhoid tissue as well as repositioning the internal hemorrhoids using surgical staples. In this procedure, a disposable surgical stapler is used to staple the hemorrhoids within the anal canal. This decreases the supply of blood to the hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink and pass out of the body.

Non- Surgical procedures for the treatment of piles:

Non-surgical piles treatment includes the use of over the counter medicine as well as certain advanced out-patient procedures which effectively help deal with the problem.

• A proper diet plan and lots of fluid intakes help to cure piles at home to a great extent.
• Intake of fruits and vegetables is generally increased and body fluid levels need to be maintained.
• Regular exercises and controlling the consumption of caffeine are two of the major principles of the treatment process.
• Painkillers, laxatives, ointments and creams are prescribed to relieve discomfort and reduce swelling. The medicine is generally prescribed for a week.
• In the case of 2nd and 3rd-grade piles, one can opt for sclerotherapy. In this case, an injection is given to help reduce hemorrhoid inflammation.
• A laser treatment, which involves the removal or shrinking hemorrhoid through a laser machine, can also be opted for.
• Infrared coagulation is another treatment option, which uses a device that emits infrared rays to burn the piles' tissue.
• Radiofrequency coagulation works in the same manner and degree.

Non-surgical piles treatment generally helps treat the condition effectively. But if it occurs even after such treatments are undergone, surgery should be considered.

The complications and side effects that can arise after a hemorrhoidectomy or a hemorrhoid-stapling surgery are as follows:

• Some side effects can occur just after the anesthesia wears off, like problems with urinating and pelvic spasms and swelling.
• Bleeding especially after the first bowel movement.
• Incontinence or weak bladder control.
• Hemorrhoids may recur at a later stage.
• A protruding rectum, due to rectal prolapse is possible after a while.

The price of a hemorrhoidectomy or hemorrhoid stapling surgery in India ranges from around Rs 15,000 to up to Rs 50,000.

In some cases the results of the treatment for piles is permanent. But in certain cases, there is a recurrence of the condition. Studies show that in 5 out of 100 cases the hemorrhoids and piles recurred.

Some alternative methods of treatment that are recommended before resorting to surgery include:

• Corticosteroids
• Laxatives
• Change in diet and lifestyle alterations
• Non-surgical procedures to remove hemorrhoids such as infrared coagulation, banding or sclerotherapy.