Piles, also known as Hemorrhoids are swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus. The anatomical term "hemorrhoids" refers to "`Cushions of tissue filled with blood vessels at the junction of the rectum and the anus." The term is popularly used to explain the varicosities of the hemorrhoid tissue. Perianal hematoma are sometimes misdiagnosed and mislabeled as hemorrhoids, when in fact they have different causes and treatments.
Usually this disease develops from constipation and most people suffer with this disorder due to wrong eating habits and lack of physical work. The main symptoms of Piles are burning and pain in anus, itching in the anus, frequent urge for evacuation, discharge of blood due to pressure during evacuation, loss of appetite, yellowish face due to extensive bleeding and feeling of heaviness at the opening of anus.
Dietary disorders and intake of more spicy food is the root cause of piles. The symptoms of this disease worsen in absence of physical work or exercise. Improper cleansing of bowels and putting extra pressure during evacuation creates a strain over the sphincter muscles situated therein. The undue pressure causes the accumulated toxic blood ooze out. Piles may also develop by frequent use of laxatives and long hours sitting on much hard or soft surface. Hurried eating without proper mastication with disturbed mind, excessive use of non-veg food items, alcohol, tea and coffee etc. disturb the entire digestive system and lend sluggishness to digestive organs and ultimately result in Piles.
Many anorectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, anal melanoma or irritation and itching, have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous or life threatening but excessively painful. In most cases, hemorrhoidial symptoms will fade away within a few days. Although many people have hemorrhoids, and hemorroidial radiation, not all experience symptoms. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoidial radiation is bright red blood covering the feces. However, an internal hemorrhoid may stick out through the anus outside the body, becoming irritated and painful. This is known as a protruding hemorrhoid.
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus, resulting in blood clot while passing feces. This condition is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding or itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of painful symptoms. Draining anal mucus, produced by the dentate line may also cause itching. Internal hemorrhoids are those that occur inside the rectum. Specifically they are varicosities of veins draining the region of branches of the superior rectal arteries. As this area lacks pain receptors, internal hemorrhoids are not painful and most people are not aware that they have them. Internal hemorrhoids, however, may bleed when irritated.
Primary piles occur due to hereditary reason without any causative factor or obstruction. Secondary piles occurs in continuation with other diseases or obstruction to portal circulation like liver disorders, portal hypertension due to obstacle of rectal or pelvic tumours, cancer, spleenomegally and so on. Prolapsed piles are the piles, which descend from the place of origin. These prolapsed piles should be cared for in the initial period itself or otherwise it may get strangulated and become gangrene. In the initial period, the protrusion gets inside or recedes without any support after passing stool, but in due course, the protruded mass will not retreat even with the help of fingers.
Piles can be easily diagnosed by examination of the anus with finger palpation and proctoscope. The prolapsed internal piles and external piles are easily visible and can be diagnosed immediately on the spot. Sentinal piles are a natural skin knots, which guards the extension of fissure and is often misunderstood as pile mass by many patients. Complications of untreated piles are bleeding, prolapse, infection, strangulation, necrosis and gangrene. Painful bleeding usually indicates beginning of complications. Thus treatment of Piles is very important
Treatment of Piles by nature cure is recommended at the first place. A patient of Piles should observe fast on lemon juice and honey for one or two days and then on fruits for two to three days. Cold water enema may be taken when necessary and the laxatives must be discarded, since it tones ups the bowels by activating them. Regular daily routine and follow up of balanced diet is essential for getting rid of this disease permanently. Fruits like Papaya and Cheeku may be taken in fruit diet along with whole wheat bread and green vegetables as a proper meal. However, sweets and spicy foods may be stopped immediately. Mud pack over abdomen and over anus and cold water Hip bath are very effective, in this disease. Constant sitting should be avoided as far as possible. Practice of walking in between long sittings is beneficial.
Treatment of Piles by Yogic Asanas is also effectual. Jala NetiIn Piles Kunjala and Jala Neti should be practised. After this Udara Shakti Vikasaka exercises along with those for Muladhara Chakra, Upastha and Swadhishthana Chakra may be practised. Practicing Shankha prakshalana once a month is beneficial. By the regular practice of Ganesh Kriya the activity of intestine increases and constipation is removed. The practice of Vajrasana, Siddhasana, Guptasana, Gornukhasana, Padangushthasana, Pashchimottanasana, Sarvangasana and Halasana etc. is also beneficial. The practice, of Ashwini Mudra, Moolbandha, Nadisliodhana and Shitali Pranayama is also highly beneficial.
Treatment of Piles can also be done by magnetic therapy. The magnets should be kept side by side over which the patient should be made to sit for 20 minutes. In case of the discomfort due to hardness of the magnets, thin cotton padding may be provided over the magnets. Alternatively, the magnets should be applied to the soles of feet for 20 minutes once daily. Here, the north-pole oil should be applied over the piles before the application of the magnets. Mixed magnetized water should also be taken four times daily.
Mostly, patients of piles become better with water, dietary routine and correcting the constipation. Care for blood loss should also be taken to avoid anaemia problems during Piles.
