Everything you need to know about piles

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Everything you need to know about piles

• Piles is another term for hemorrhoids.
  Hemorrhoids are collections of inflamed tissue in
  the anal canal. They contain blood vessels,
  support tissue, muscle, and elastic fibers.Many
  people have piles, but the symptoms are not
  always obvious. Hemorrhoids  cause noticeable
  symptoms for at least 50 percent of people in the
  United States (U.S.) before the age of 50
  years.This article will explore piles, their
  causes, how to diagnose, grade, and treat them,
  and what effects they might have on the body.

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Contents of this article

• 1. What are piles?
• 2. Symptoms
• 3. Causes
• 4. Diagnosis
• 5. Treatments

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Fast facts on piles

• Here are some key points about piles. More detail
  and supporting information is in the main
  article.
• Piles are collections of tissue and vein that
  become inflamed and swollen.
• The size of piles can vary, and they are found
  inside or outside the anus.
• Piles occur due to chronic constipation,
  chronic diarrhea, lifting heavy weights,
  pregnancy, or straining when passing a stool.
• A doctor can usually diagnose piles on
  examination.
• Hemorrhoids are graded on a scale from I to IV.
  At grades III or IV, surgery may be necessary.

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What are piles?
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Symptoms

• In most cases, the symptoms of piles are not
  serious. They normally resolve on their own after
  a few days.An individual with piles may
  experience the following symptoms

• A hard, possibly painful lump may be felt around
  the anus. It may contain coagulated blood. Piles
  that contain blood are called thrombosed external
  hemorrhoids
• After passing a stool, a person with piles may
  experience the feeling that the bowels are still
  full.
• Bright red blood is visible after a bowel
  movement.
• The area around the anus is itchy, red, and sore.

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Symptoms

• Pain occurs during the passing of a stool.
• Piles can escalate into a more severe condition.
  This can include
• excessive anal bleeding, also possibly leading
  to anemia
• Infection
• fecal incontinence, or an inability to control
  bowel movements
• anal fistula, in which a new channel is created
  between the srface of the skin near the anus and
  the inside of the anus
• a strangulated hemorrhoid, in which the blood
  supply to the hemorrhoid is cut off, causing
  complications including infection or a blood clot
• Piles is classified into four grades

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Symptoms

• Piles is classified into four grades

• Grade I There are small inflammations, usually
  inside the lining of the anus. They are not
  visible.
• Grade II Grade II piles are larger than grade I
  piles, but also remain inside the anus. They may
  get pushed out during the passing of stool, but
  they will return unaided.
• Grade III These are also known as prolapsed
  hemorrhoids, and appear outside the anus. The
  individual may feel them hanging from the rectum,
  but they can be easily re-inserted.
• Grade IV These cannot be pushed back in and need
  treatment. They are large and remain outside of
  the anus.

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Causes
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Causes

• Piles are caused by increased pressure in the
  lower rectum.
• The blood vessels around the anus and in the
  rectum will stretch under pressure and may swell
  or bulge, forming piles. This may be due to
• chronic constipation
• chronic diarrhea
• lifting heavy weights
• pregnancy
• straining when passing a stool
• The tendency to develop piless may also be
  inherited and increases with age.

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Diagnosis

• A doctor can usually diagnose piles after
  carrying out a physical examination. They will
  examine the anus of the person with suspected
  piles.
• The doctor may ask the following questions

• Do any close relatives have piles?
• Has there been any blood or mucus in the stools?
• Has there been any recent weight loss?
• Have bowel movements changed recently?
• What color are the stools?

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Treatments

• In the majority of cases, piles resolve on their
  own without the need for any treatment. However,
  some treatments can help significantly reduce the
  discomfort and itching that many people
  experience with piles.

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Lifestyle changes

• Diet and body weight may affect the risk of
  developing piles. Eating a high fiber diet and
  managing weight may help to prevent and treat the
  condition.
• A doctor will initially recommend some lifestyle
  changes to manage piles.
• Diet Piles can occur due to straining during
  bowel movements. Excessive straining 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 primarily eating bran-based breakfast cereals.
  
• Body weight Losing weight may help reduce the
  incidence and severity of piles.

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Medications

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications These are
  available, including painkillers, ointments,
  creams, and pads, and can help soothe redness and
  swelling around the anus.OTC remedies do not cure
  piles but can help the symptoms. Do not use them
  for more than 7 days in a row, as they can cause
  further irritation of the area and thinning of
  the skin. Do not use two or more medications at
  the same time unless advised to by a medical
  professional.
• Corticosteroids These can reduce inflammation and
  pain.
• Laxatives The doctor may prescribe laxatives if
  a person with piles suffers from constipation.
  These can help the person pass stools more easily
  and reduce pressure on the lower colon.

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Surgical options

• Banding The doctor places an elastic band around
  the base of the pile, cutting off its blood
  supply. After a few days, the hemorrhoid falls
  off. This is effective for treating all
  hemorrhoids of less than grade IV status.
• Sclerotherapy Medicine is injected to make the
  hemorrhoid shrink. The hemorrhoid eventually
  shrivels up. This is effective for grade II and
  III hemorrhoids and is an alternative to banding.
• Infrared coagulation Also referred to as
  infrared light coagulation, a device is used to
  burn the hemorrhoid tissue. This technique is
  used to treat grade I and II hemorrhoids.
• Hemorrhoidectomy The excess tissue that is
  causing the bleeding is surgically removed. This
  can be done in various ways and may involve a
  combination of a local anesthetic and sedation, a
  spinal anesthetic, or a general anesthetic. This
  type of surgery is the most effective for
  completely removing piles, but there is a risk of
  complications, including difficulties with
  passing stools, as well as urinary tract
  infections.
• Hemorrhoid stapling Blood flow is blocked to the
  hemorrhoid tissue. This procedure is usually less
  painful than hemorrhoidectomy. However, this
  procedure can lead to an increased risk of
  hemorrhoid recurrence and rectal prolapsed, in
  which part of the rectum pushes out of the anus.