Hemorrhoids—one of the less commonly talked about yet highly prevalent medical conditions—occur when the veins in your lower rectum are swollen. With proper piles treatment in Navi Mumbai, most people recover well.
Before you consider visiting a piles specialist, it’s important to understand the types of piles and how exactly they differ. They can be: internal or external. Both involve swollen veins around the anus, but their location, symptom severity, and treatment approach may vary.
What are Internal Piles?
Located inside the rectum and above the dentate line, internal piles sit in the upper anal canal. As this area has fewer nerves, the piles do not cause pain. In fact, many people with internal piles do not know they have piles.
These are classified into four grades, in which Grade I internal piles do not usually cause any symptoms other than bleeding during bowel movements. When the condition progresses, the piles can protrude through the anus, particularly during bowel movements, but they go back inside on their own. Sometimes, they need manual pushing to go inside.
The final stage is when the protruding piles can’t be pushed back inside. This requires medical treatment, as the protruding piles can become swollen or trapped, increasing the risk of complications like reduced blood supply or blood clots.
What are External Piles?
External piles are located around the anus, below the dentate line (an area that contains several pain-sensitive nerves). Due to their location, they cause discomfort during daily activities and when passing bowel movements. They can be felt as soft lumps around the anal opening.
A common complication of an external pile is hemorrhoid thrombosis, i.e., when a blood clot develops inside the pile, making it extremely painful, hard, and tender. The clot is naturally absorbed by your body with time, but if it causes unbearable pain, a piles doctor in Navi Mumbai might recommend surgical removal of the clot.
Internal and External Piles: How Their Symptoms Vary
Repeated and excessive pressure on the veins in your lower rectum can increase the risk of piles. Chronic constipation, for example, can cause frequent straining during bowel movements, which might put significant stress on the veins. Pregnancy, a low-fiber diet, obesity, and heavy lifting are other common causes of piles.
Internal Piles Symptoms
Common symptoms of internal piles include:
- Bright red bleeding during bowel movements or on the toilet paper
- A feeling of something protruding through the anal opening
- A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
Symptoms are often mild, but the pain can be excruciating when the pile gets trapped and loses its blood supply.
External Piles Symptoms
Here’s what people experience with external piles:
- Pain when sitting, standing, or passing stools
- Itching or burning sensation in the anal area
- A visible and palpable lump
- Occasional bleeding
The lump might turn bluish or cause intense pain if it’s thrombosed. External piles can be easily diagnosed with visual inspection. Internal piles might require a digital rectal examination.
