Have you anytime experienced a fear to evacuate your bowel. Fear of pain, fear of spurting of blood, fear of something coming out of the rectum….ohhh that pain can be explained by only those who have experienced it…. For few this becomes an irritating experience every morning. A young man came to clinic with the similar experience with a habit of sedentary life style. He was surprised to notice a small pea sized mass per rectum at a very young age. On per rectal examination he was diagnosed to have piles.
What?
Piles or haemorrhoids are abnormally inflamed or engorged blood vessels in the anus. It can, at times, cause great pain and discomfort to the sufferer.
Did you know?
Over 40 percent people all over the world suffer from piles. Lack of exercise junk-food and sedentary lifestyle are factors that trigger the disorder. Haemorrhoids are found equally in men and women, and their prevalence peaks between 45 and 65 years of age .
Causes :-
• Bad lifestyle habits are the most common causes of piles
• Other causes include stress, bad bowel habits, pregnancy and childbirth
Process :- It’s likely that extreme abdominal pressure causes the veins to swell by blocking the flow of blood through them. The increased pressure can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, straining on the toilet, coughing, sneezing, vomiting and holding your breath while straining to do physical labor.
Types :-
1. Internal haemorrhoids :- these are present in the inside linning of the rectum. They are painless and make their presence known by causing bleeding with a bowel movement
2. External haemorrhoids :- are located underneath the skin that surrounds the anus . They cause itching, pain, bleeding with a bowel movement. When they are prolapsed to the outside (in the course of passing a stool) one can see it and feel it.
Symptoms :-
Pain is common in external piles – this can get worse while straining to pass stools. Bleeding may also come in splashes, while pressing for stools. Bleeding may be profuse in some cases. In external piles, the swelling can be felt around the anal opening. In case of internal piles, it cannot be felt initially. When the disorder progresses, the piles protrude. There may also be discharge of mucous with itching around the anal orifice. Fresh blood from the anus is one of the earliest symptoms of piles. Bleeding can occur during, before, or after passing stools. Individuals, who have piles, often feel that they have not been able to evacuate their bowels completely.
There are grades:-
• First-grade piles develops inside the anal canal or the rectum
• Second-grade piles are protrusions from the anus; they return inward on their own
• Third-grade piles is similar to second-grade piles, but the protrusion needs to be pushed back manually
• Fourth-grade piles is protrusion that hangs outside of the anal canal.
Diagnosis :-
• Your doctor will evaluate your case,
• He/she will also conduct a physical examination and ask you to cough
• Second degree piles can protrude on coughing and then return; third degree piles will remain and protrude. These are often easily visible
• Your physician may do a digital examination. They may also use a proctoscope – to examine the extent and type of the problem
• Sometimes, sigmoidoscopy is done to analyse and initiate appropriate treatment
Self – tips :-
1. A sitz bath is most useful. It is recommended to sit in a few inches of warm water three times a day, for 15 minutes, after each bowel movement. It is important to dry off the anal area completely after each sitzs bath to minimize irritation of the skin surrounding the anus.
2. Best way is to prevent the hemorrhoids it is to keep your stools soft so they are easy to pass and don’t require straining. Eating a high – fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses each day) can help you stay regular and lowers your risk of developing new hemorrhoids.
Homeopathy treatment
Homeopathic constitutional approach takes into account a person’s characteristic symptoms, their overall physical and mental condition and understands the way a person’s body reacts to piles.
Grade 1 and 2 can be significantly helped with homeopathy. In Grade 3 piles, symptoms can be relived, but the condition may not be completely treated. In Grade 4 piles, there would be symptomatic relief with homeopathy. Surgery may be considered, if symptoms are unbearable and persistent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
