Also known as Piles, hemorrhoids are collections of inflamed tissue in the rectum. Piles comprise of blood vessels, support tissue, muscle, and elastic fibers. They can have a range of sizes. Piles may be internal or external. Internal piles are located between two and four centimeters above the opening of the anus. They are the more common type. External hemorrhoids occur outside on the edge of the anus.
Many people have piles, but the symptoms are not that common. Piles usually don’t require treatment, but sometimes, it can grow big and doesn’t heal on its own. In such cases, treatment is necessary.
Normally, the symptoms of piles are not serious and resolve on their own after a few days.
Symptoms
If you are suffering from piles, you may experience the following symptoms:
A hard, possibly painful lump around the anus. If it contains coagulated blood, then it will be called thrombosed external hemorrhoids.
A person may experience the feeling that the bowels are still full, after passing a stool.
Bright red blood after a bowel movement.
The area around the anus is itchy and sore
Pain occurs during the passing of a stool.
Excessive anal bleeding
Fecal incontinence
Treatments
As already mentioned, piles resolve on their own and don’t need any treatment. But some treatments can help significantly lessen the discomfort that many people experience with piles.
Lifestyle changes
Research has proved that diet and body weight has a strong link with the risk of developing piles. To prevent piles or even treat the condition, eat a high fiber diet and manage weight. Physicians usually recommend lifestyle changes to manage piles.
Straining during bowel movements is one of the biggest causes of piles. Excessive straining is usually the result of constipation. Making changes in your diet plan can help you keep the stools regular and soft. Your diet should involve more fiber, such as fruit and vegetables or breakfast cereals. A doctor may also advise to increase their water consumption and to avoid caffeine. Losing weight may help decrease the incidence and severity of piles. To prevent piles, physicians also advise exercising. Exercising is one of the main therapies for hemorrhoids.
Medications
There are several medicinal options that one can avail to make the symptoms of piles more manageable. OTC medications are available over-the-counter or online. Medicines include painkillers, creams, ointments, and pads, and can help alleviate redness and swelling around the anus.
OTC does not cure piles but can help the symptoms. You must not use them for more than seven days in a row. This is because they are known to cause further irritation of the area. Do not use different medications at the same time unless medical professional advised you to do so.
The doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain or laxatives if you suffer from constipation. These medicines can help the person pass stools more easily. They also reduce pressure on the lower colon.
Surgery
Around one in ten people with hemorrhoids will end up needing surgery.
One of the techniques used is banding. In this method, the surgeon places an elastic band around the base of the pile. This cuts off its blood supply. Due to which, after a few days, the pile falls off.
Sclerotherapy is the method that is employed to treat piles. Here, medicine is injected which shrinks hemorrhoid, which eventually shrivels up.
Piles can also be treated with infrared coagulation. The surgeons also refer to it as infrared light coagulation. In this method, they use a device to burn the hemorrhoid tissue.
Another method that doctor use, is hemorrhoidectomy. Here, the excess tissue is surgically removed. This can be done in various ways. It can involve a combination of a local anesthetic and sedation, along with a spinal anesthetic, or a general anesthetic. It is the most effective for completely removing piles. However, there is a risk of complications, such as urinary tract infections and difficulties with passing stools.
Hemorrhoid stapling is a technique in which the surgeon blocks the blood flow to the piles’ tissue. The procedure is normally less painful than hemorrhoidectomy. But this procedure can lead to an increased risk of hemorrhoid recurrence. It can also cause rectal prolapse where the part of the rectum forces out of the anus.
The correct specialist for this is a general surgeon or a gastro intestinal surgeon. DR Adarsh Chaudhary at Medanta Hospital Gurgaon is a general surgeon who specializes in piles surgery among other procedures. Dr. Adarsh Chaudhary having worked and trained in UK and United States is a doctor with a rich experience in gastrointestinal surgeries and procedures. Dr Adarsh Chaudhary was one of the key people involved in starting the first departments of Surgical Gastroenterology in India. Dr Adarsh Chaudhary has has to his credit a number of highly prestigious awards and he has been inducted in to medical bodies like his fellowships at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh and also the World Health Organization (WHO), USA.
The Medanta Medicity Hospital Gurgaon is a multi-speciality hospital par excellence. It is one of the largest hospitals in Gurgaon with over 650 beds and caters to patients from India and abroad. The Medanta Hospital is also JCI and NABH accredited which are the most sought after and respected accreditations.
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