Are you suffering painful discomfort in your posterior? This could be a sign of Hemorrhoids or otherwise known as “piles disease”. Hemorrhoids or piles disease is the swollen blood vessels in lower rectum. You may find your stool covered in red blood, blood may also be found on the toilet paper after wiping. Piles disease could also cause itch and soreness in the rectum. There are two types of piles disease, internal and external; symptoms may vary depending on what you have. External Hemorrhoids can be very painful and show swelling around the anus, or a hard lump when a blood clot forms. Internal Hemorrhoids on the other hand, protrude the anus outside the body which then becomes very irritated and painful, also called as a protruding hemorrhoid.
Piles disease is said to be very common during pregnancy and after giving birth, it can also be caused by constant sitting, inadequate intake of fibrous food, Diarrhea, heavy lifting, severe coughing, prolonged sitting in the toilet, constant sitting, tumors in the pelvis, constipation and hard stools. Piles disease is not life threatening, it just gives the patient discomfort and possible complications when not immediately treated. Other symptoms are a sensation of fullness, usually described as feeling the urge to have a bowel movement even when there is no stool. Straining worsens the discomfort.
Some people who suffer from piles disease may feel embarrassed to seek advice or help from a medical professional right away, so they go online or read books in search for home remedies or herbal medicine to relieve or cure their condition. Organic products that relieve Hemorrhoids or Piles disease are sold in the market; it can be bought over the counter or online. The good part about organic is that it is safe to use for pregnant women. Some go for the more natural stuff like eating food rich in fiber, Bioflavonoids, Witch Hazel compress or cream and horse chestnut, to name a few.
Alternative medicine for Piles disease may work for some if not most cases, but f not done the right way or if prolonged may cause further complications. Home remedies or natural medicine should only be done for two weeks the most. When symptoms continue to show or worsen then seek professional help from doctors. It is always be

Piles are hemorrhoids that become inflamed. Hemorrhoids are masses, clumps, cushions of tissue in the anal canal - they are full of blood vessels, support tissue, muscle and elastic fibers.

Although hemorrhoids are thought of as unpleasant inflammations, we all have them. It is when the hemorrhoidal cushions become too big (inflamed) that problems occur - when this happens they are called piles or pathological hemorrhoids.

Put simply, "piles" are the swollen ones that are painful and cause problems, hemorrhoids can refer to the swollen ones (pathological hemorrhoids) or simply the normal structure. However, in most cases these days, the words piles and hemorrhoids are nearly always used interchangeably.

Piles can be of various sizes and may be internal (inside the anus) or external ones (outside the anus). Typically, internal piles occur from 2 to 4cm above the opening of the anus. External piles (perianal hematoma) occur on the outside edge of the anus. The internal ones are much more common.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, symptomatic hemorrhoids affect at least half the US population at some time in their lives, and approximately 5% of all adults have piles at any given time.

According to the National Health Service (NHS, UK), piles affect between 4% to 25% of the UK adult population. They are more common among adults aged between 45 and 65 years, as well as pregnant mothers.

Males and females are equally susceptible to developing troublesome hemorrhoids.

In the vast majority of cases, piles are effectively treated with OTC medications, a good fluid intake, and by following a diet high in fiber. In severe cases the piles may have to be surgically removed. Approximately 10% of patients who go and see their doctor about piles eventually require surgical intervention.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Hemorrhoids are "A varicose condition of the external hemorrhoidal veins causing painful swellings at the anus."

Internal Hemorrhoids are "Dilated veins beneath the mucous membrane within the sphincter."

External Hemorrhoids are "dilated veins forming tumors at the outer side of the external sphincter."

Schematic demonstrating the anatomy of hemorrhoids

What are the signs and symptoms of piles?

A symptom is something the patient feels and describes, such as a pain, while a sign is something everybody can see, such as a rash.

In most cases piles are not serious and go away on their own after a few days. In fact, a considerable number of people with hemorrhoids do not experience any symptoms and do not even know they have them.

An individual with piles may experience the following symptoms:

• A hard lump may be felt around the anus. It consists of coagulated blood, called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. This can be extremely painful
• After going to the toilet, a feeling that the bowels are still full
• Bright red blood when doing a bowel movement
• Itchiness in the anus area
• Mucus discharge when emptying the bowels
• Pain while defecating
• The anus area may be red and sore
• When passing a stool the person may strain excessively

Internal hemorrhoids - they are classified into four grades:

• Grade 1 - there are small inflammations, usually inside the lining of the anus. They are not visible.
• Grade 2 - larger than Grade 1 hemorrhoids, and also inside the anus. When passing a stool they may get pushed out, but soon return.
• Grade 3 - often called 'prolapsed hemorrhoids'; these appear outside the anus. The patient may feel them hanging out. They can be pushed back in if the patient presses with his/her finger.
• Grade 4 - these cannot be pushed back in and need to be treated by a doctor. They are large and stay outside the anus all the time.

External hemorrhoids - called perianal hematoma. These are small lumps that are located on the outside edge of the anus. They are extremely itchy and can be painful if a blood clot forms inside (thrombosed external hemorrhoid). Thrombosed external hemorrhoid requires medical treatment straight away.

Why do piles occur?

The blood vessels around the anus and in the rectum will stretch under pressure and may swell or bulge. Inflamed veins (hemorrhoids) can develop when pressure increases in the lower rectum. This may be due to:

• Anal intercourse
• Chronic constipation
• Chronic diarrhea
• Lifting heavy weights regularly
• Obesity/overweight
• Pregnancy
• Sitting on the toilet for too long
• Straining when passing a stool

The tendency to develop hemorrhoids may also be inherited.

The risk of developing piles also grows with age.

Diagnosing piles

A qualified doctor can usually diagnose piles fairly rapidly after carrying out a physical examination. He/she will examine the patient's anus for swollen veins.

The doctor may ask the following questions:

• Do any close relatives (parents, siblings) have piles?
• Has there been any blood on the stools?
• Has there been any mucus on the stools?
• Has there been any recent weight loss?
• Have bowel movements changed recently?
• What color are the stools?

Internal hemorrhoids - the doctor may perform a DRE (digital rectal exam). The doctor may use a proctoscope - a hollow tube fitted with a light. The proctoscope allows the doctor to see the anal canal and take a small tissue sample from inside the rectum, which can be sent to the lab for analysis.

If the physician is presented with signs and symptoms which may suggest another digestive system disease, risk factors for colorectal cancer, and some other factors, he/she may recommend ordering an examination of the colon using colonoscopy.

What are the treatment options for piles?

In the majority of cases, piles resolve on their own without the need for any treatment. Treatments can help significantly reduce the discomfort and itching that many patients experience.

A good doctor will initially recommend some lifestyle changes.

Diet - piles can be caused by too much straining when doing bowel movements, which 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 even switching your cereal breakfast to bran.

Water is the best drink, and the patient may be advised to increase his/her water consumption. Some experts say too much caffeine is not good.

Body weight - if the patient is obese, losing weight may help reduce the incidence and severity of hemorrhoids.

Simple things you can do yourself:

• Try not to strain when you go to the toilet
• Use moist toilet paper instead of dry
• Rather than rubbing the anus area when cleaning after going to the toilet, pat instead to avoid irritation if you already have piles

Ointments, creams, pads and other OTC medications - there are some over-the-counter (OTC) medications which help soothe the redness and swelling around the anus area. Some of them contain witch hazel, hydrocortisone, or some other active ingredient which can relieve symptoms of itching and pain.

It is important to remember that they do not cure piles, they only treat the symptoms. Do not use them for more than seven consecutive days - longer periods may irritate the anus area and cause skin thinning. Unless advised to by your doctor, do not use two or more medications simultaneously.

Corticosteroids - these can reduce inflammation. However, usage must not exceed about six to seven days.

Painkillers - ask your pharmacist for suitable painkilling medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol).

Laxatives - the doctor may prescribe one if the patient suffers from constipation.

Banding - the doctor places an elastic band around the base of the pile inside the anus, cutting its blood supply. After a few days the hemorrhoids fall off. This can work for Grades 2 and 3 hemorrhoids.

Sclerotherapy - a medicine is injected into the vein to make the hemorrhoid shrink - the hemorrhoid eventually shrivels up. This is effective for Grades 2 and 3 hemorrhoids, and is a useful alternative to banding.

Infrared coagulation - also referred to as infrared light coagulation. Used for Grades 1 or 2 hemorrhoids. A device burns the hemorrhoid tissue.

Surgery - used for particularly large piles, or Grades 3 or 4 hemorrhoids. Generally, surgery is used if other procedures were not effective. Sometimes surgery is done on an outpatient basis - the patient goes home after the procedure, or he/she may have to spend the night in hospital.

• Hemorrhoidectomy - the excess tissue that is causing the bleeding is surgically removed. This can be done in various ways. It 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 in completely removing piles, but there is a risk of complications, which can include difficulties passing stools, as well as urinary tract infections.
• Hemorrhoid stapling - blood flow is blocked to the tissue of the hemorrhoid. This procedure is usually less painful than hemorrhoidectomy. However, there is a greater risk of hemorrhoid recurrence and rectal prolapse (part of the rectum sticks out of the anus).

Complications linked to piles

Anemia - hemorrhoids can sometimes cause long-term blood loss, which may lead to anemia.

Stangulated hemorrhoid - the blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, causing severe pain, and even gangrene (death of tissue).

Causes and Symptoms of Piles

Piles/hemorrhoids are described as the swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus. There are two types of piles – internal and external. When struck externally, piles cause a lot of pain, but no bleeding. However, in case of internal piles, there is no pain, but a discharge of dark blood. Sometimes the symtoms go away in few days. Piles / hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous or life threatening To know more you can see the causes and symptoms of piles / hemorrhoids.
Causes Of Piles
Chronic constipation
Bowel disorders
Prolonged periods of standing or sitting
Obesity
General weakness of the body tissues
Mental tension
Heredity factors
Dysentery
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Strenuous physical exercise
Prostate problems in older men
Straining, to empty the bowels
Eating a low-fiber diet
Chronic diarrhea
Cancer or growths in pelvis or bowel, which puts pressure on abdomen
Symptoms Of Piles
Pain or irritation while passing stools
Bleeding
Slight bleeding, in case of internal trouble
Feeling of soreness
Irritation after passing a stool
Itching
Discomfort
Pain in the rectal region
Lump on the anus
Pain and discomfort after you opening the bowels
Slimy discharge of mucus
Feeling that the bowels haven’t emptied completely
Soiled undergarments
Swelling protruding from the anus
Frequent urge for evacuation
Loss of appetite
Yellowish face, due to extensive bleeding
Heaviness at the opening of anus

Are you suffering painful discomfort in your posterior? This could be a sign of Hemorrhoids or otherwise known as “piles disease”. Hemorrhoids or piles disease is the swollen blood vessels in lower rectum. You may find your stool covered in red blood, blood may also be found on the toilet paper after wiping. Piles disease could also cause itch and soreness in the rectum. There are two types of piles disease, internal and external; symptoms may vary depending on what you have. External Hemorrhoids can be very painful and show swelling around the anus, or a hard lump when a blood clot forms. Internal Hemorrhoids on the other hand, protrude the anus outside the body which then becomes very irritated and painful, also called as a protruding hemorrhoid.
Piles disease is said to be very common during pregnancy and after giving birth, it can also be caused by constant sitting, inadequate intake of fibrous food, Diarrhea, heavy lifting, severe coughing, prolonged sitting in the toilet, constant sitting, tumors in the pelvis, constipation and hard stools. Piles disease is not life threatening, it just gives the patient discomfort and possible complications when not immediately treated. Other symptoms are a sensation of fullness, usually described as feeling the urge to have a bowel movement even when there is no stool. Straining worsens the discomfort.
Some people who suffer from piles disease may feel embarrassed to seek advice or help from a medical professional right away, so they go online or read books in search for home remedies or herbal medicine to relieve or cure their condition. Organic products that relieve Hemorrhoids or Piles disease are sold in the market; it can be bought over the counter or online. The good part about organic is that it is safe to use for pregnant women. Some go for the more natural stuff like eating food rich in fiber, Bioflavonoids, Witch Hazel compress or cream and horse chestnut, to name a few.
Alternative medicine for Piles disease may work for some if not most cases, but f not done the right way or if prolonged may cause further complications. Home remedies or natural medicine should only be done for two weeks the most. When symptoms continue to show or worsen then seek professional help from doctors. It is always be

The most common Piles Symptoms

 Piles Disease, Piles Symptoms

 

Piles symptoms are an alarm to the existence of pile disease which is also known as hemorrhoids. It is caused by the swelling of the veins around the anal area. This can be the result of straining during bowel movements, pregnancy and chronic constipation. This is generally a temporary problem caused mainly among adults without any discrimination of man or woman. Usually it is a temporary phase. It can be internal or external or a patient can suffer from both types at the same time.

These are some of the main Piles symptoms:
1.          Anal discharge of blood
This is one of the most common and alarming piles symptom.  Piles usually bleed after a bowel movement, and blood may be detected in the toilet or on the toilet tissue. Blood loss always seems to be the first piles symptom but in reality it is more likely to be constipation or itchiness.
2.    Itching throughout the anal area
Acute and sporadic itchiness is also known as a piles symptom. So if someone you suffer from itchiness which is more intense than normal and it doesn’t subside with rubbing then it may be the early warning signs of hemorrhoids which need to be taken care. Moreover if you currently have a very inactive lifestyle and/or little exercise, you should visit doctor immediately for a diagnosis.
3.    Burning throughout the anal area.
Another piles symptom, which is uncommon with people suffering from this disease, is burning throughout the anal area. It is also a sporadic symptom. Again, if it is not subside with rubbing than you should see the doctor to get properly investigated.
4.    Pain throughout the anal area
If you suffer from severe pain in the anal area, than this might be one of piles symptoms as well. If you suffer from pain in and around the anal area for more than 10 minutes, then you should try to do some exercises or more ideally is to go for a walk. If the pain still continues, then visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.  
5.    Anal discharge of mucus
Another not very common piles symptom is slimy discharge of mucus which is no more severe than bleeding. While it is not as common as blood loss it should be seen as well.
6.    Constipation
This is quite often the first symptom for piles but being a very common disease in itself, it is overlooked by people as piles symptoms. Unfortunately, it’s a condition that can be brought on by any number of things – most often diet. Long standing constipation can make a person prone to develop piles.
7.    An urge to use the toilet
This piles symptom is in line with the previous symptom i.e. constipation. One may feel the urge to go to the toilet repeatedly and may not be able to pass the stools. If this persists for more than 24 hours it’s important that you consult with a doctor.
8.    Swelling around the anus
This is the most severe piles symptom and really is the last point where you can ‘catch’ piles before things go beyond limits. When Feeling uncomfortable, many people will go and see their doctor at this point. But unfortunately, through embarrassment, fear, ignorance and hesitation many more don’t do anything at all.

Piles are not an incurable disease but unfortunately, it tends to get worse over time if it’s not cured. So it should be treated as soon as it occurs.