Haemorrhoids or piles as they are commonly called, are lumps that are formed inside and outside the anus due to swelling of blood vessels situated in this area. The piles that develop inside the rectum which is tube connected to the anus are called as internal piles and the piles that can form under the skin of anus outside are called external piles.
In a few cases they may not cause any pain or discomfort, but in other cases they create discomfort while pooping, cause irritation, pain and even bleed. “It is misconception that piles happen only after certain age, even younger people can get piles, suffer symptoms and need immediate piles treatment or even surgery”, says specialist in Laparoscopic Piles Surgery in Visakhapatnam
In recent years, Visakhapatnam has seen a noticeable increase in piles cases, sparking growing interest in understanding the underlying causes of this painful condition.
What causes piles, how do you know if one has piles, and how to cure piles are some of the common questions we receive at Lancet Hospital in Visakhapatnam. So, in this blog, with inputs from piles specialist, Dr Ramesh Baipalli, let’s understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for piles and get to know the ways to prevent them.
What Causes Piles?
The human anus is lined with soft tissues that contain a rich network of blood vessels. In some cases, due to external factors, these vessels may swell, stretch, or bulge, resulting in lumps in and around the anus. These external factors can include excessive straining while passing stools, chronic constipation or diarrhoea, pressure from lifting heavy weights, or even pregnancy.
“The excessive pressure and straining caused by any of the above activities may lead to the formation of lumps. Based on their location, these are categorized as internal and external haemorrhoids, and symptoms vary depending on the type of piles developed. In rare cases, a person may develop both internal and external piles,” says piles specialist in Visakhapatnam, Dr. Ramesh Baipalli.
Types of Piles & Their Symptoms:
Piles are classified based on their location, size, and degree of prolapse. External piles are small lumps that are formed on the outside edge of the anus. These piles tend to be very itchy and can become painful if a blood clot develops, because the clot can block blood flow.
But the most common type of piles are internal piles, which are small lumps that happen inside the rectum and are not visible during external examination.
When these internal piles become larger or swollen, they may prolapse, i.e., slip down from their normal position inside the rectum and protrude through the anus. Internal piles are classified into four grades based on the severity of this prolapse.
Types of Prolapse (based on grades):
- Grade 1: No prolapse – piles stay inside the rectum.
- Grade 2: Piles prolapse during bowel movements but go back in on their own.
- Grade 3: Piles come out and need to be manually pushed back in.
- Grade 4: Piles are permanently outside the anus and cannot be pushed back in.
Patients begin to experience symptoms when these piles prolapse, and these symptoms include:
- A feeling of something coming out of the anus
- Discomfort or pain while sitting
- Itching or irritation
- Mucus discharge or bleeding
In rare cases, patients may develop both external and internal piles, which prolapse to cause a combination of symptoms.
So, How Does One Know They Have Piles?
If you are experiencing pain, discomfort around the anus, blood or mucus discharge in your stools, notice changes in bowel habits and movement, experience weight loss, abdominal pain, persistent pain, itching, irritation, and anal pain, we suggest you consult a piles specialist to evaluate your condition.
Treatment & Prevention of Piles:
Piles don’t always cause pain or noticeable symptoms. In such cases, individuals may not even know they have them, and many times, they resolve on their own.
When you consult the doctor, they may ask you about the symptoms and examine the swollen blood vessels in the anal passage. A digital rectal examination and proctoscopy are performed to determine the grade of piles.
The treatment for haemorrhoids or piles depends on the severity of the prolapse and the symptoms.
Medications are always the first line of treatment, and these include oral medications and medicated creams or ointments that relieve pain and inflammation.
In some cases, specific treatments are needed to treat these haemorrhoids, and these include standard procedures like rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy. In rare cases, surgical procedures such as haemorrhoidectomy are performed to treat severe haemorrhoids.
“While the treatment for piles today is very effective in alleviating the pain and getting rid of this debilitating condition, prevention is always better than cure. Sticking to a healthy, high-fibre diet, regular exercise, and taking steps to prevent constipation are some of the most common and effective ways that are prescribed to reduce the risk of piles.” piles specialist in Visakhapatnam, Dr. Ramesh Baipalli. For more information on prevention strategies or treatment options for piles, you can contact him at Lancet Hospital in Vishakhapatnam here.
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