Piles or hemorrhoids are a delicate issue. People often hesitate to discuss it as openly and freely as other medical conditions. Piles occur when the veins surrounding your anus (the final part of your digestive system) get enlarged and swollen. Treatment can range from home remedies to piles surgery in Navi Mumbai.
Piles are common during pregnancy. It also occurs when you strain excessively when passing a bowel movement. Chronic constipation and diarrhea are among the common causes of piles. Although these are rarely life-threatening, piles can cause complications if left unaddressed.
Types of Piles
Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are often harmless. They are located inside your rectum and are barely visible or painful. Common symptoms include:
- Bleeding when passing a bowel movement
- Fresh blood on the toilet paper
- Itching or burning sensation (if they protrude out of the anal opening)
Constant straining can push internal hemorrhoids out. Sometimes, the bulging lump (often felt when the piles protrude due to constipation or straining) can be felt when you touch the skin around the anus.
Prolapsed Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids do not cause significant discomfort unless they are pushed outside the anus. This is also divided into multiple categories.
Grade I: Internal piles that remain within the rectum
Grade II: The piles prolapse because of straining during bowel movements. At this stage, the bulge might go into the rectum on its own after you’ve passed the bowel.
Grade III: Hemorrhoids protrude from the anus but do not retract automatically. You need to push them in manually.
Grade IV: At this stage, hemorrhoids neither go back to the rectum on their own nor can they be pushed back in manually. They have permanently prolapsed.
Hemorrhoids that stick out of the anus for prolonged periods can become strangulated, i.e., the blood supply to these can be cut off, causing severe pain and tissue death. It’s considered a medical emergency. The most noticeable symptom of a prolapsed hemorrhoid is the bulging lump sticking outside your anal opening. It’s accompanied by pain, burning sensation, itching, and bleeding.
Thrombosed Piles
External piles can become thrombosed when blood inside the enlarged vein becomes trapped and forms a clot. This can cause excessive swelling and sometimes unbearable pain. The most common signs of a thrombosed pile are a visible lump, discolored skin (bluish or purple) around the anus, itching, burning, and severe pain.
Although it’s not a life-threatening issue, thrombosed piles often require medical attention because of the pain and discomfort. Some people struggle to sit, walk, or perform their daily routine tasks. If the hemorrhoid is too large, a general surgeon in Navi Mumbai might surgically remove the clot and drain it. The procedure is called thrombectomy.
Treatment Options
For internal piles that haven’t protruded, home remedies are often enough. Soaking in warm water, staying hydrated, and eating a fiber-rich diet, along with over-the-counter topicals or medicines, may help.
For prolapsed hemorrhoids that are severely painful, medical procedures, such as sclerotherapy and infrared coagulation may be helpful. For Grade III or IV hemorrhoids, a surgical removal is an effective treatment option.
