FAQs FOR PILES (HEMORRHOIDS)

Q:1 What is a hemorrhoid?

“Hemorrhoids” are termed as coagulated blood lumps formed due to swelling and inflammation. This happens as a result of pressure being exerted on these blood vessels The size of piles can vary, and they are found inside or outside the anus.

Q:2 What is the newest surgical technique for treating hemorrhoids?

Stapled HEMORRHOIDECTOMY is the newest surgical technique to treat hemorrhoids.
It does not remove the hemorrhoids themselves it removes the lax tissue surrounding the hemorrhoid that has allowed it to protrude.

Q:3 Men and women suffer from hemorrhoids at about the same rate?

Hemorrhoids occur in both men at women and they occur most often in adults between 44 and 66 years of age.

Q:4 Everyone has hemorrhoids True or False?

All have hemorrhoids pillow-like clusters of veins located just below the surface of the mucous membranes of the anus and rectum

Q:5 Is there a loss of bowel control after Piles or Hemorrhoid surgery?

It is rare to observe loss of bowel control post piles or hemorrhoid surgery

Q:6 What is the difference between internal and external Piles?

External hemorrhoids are on the outside around the anus, while internal hemorrhoids are inside the anal canal.

Q:7 What causes Piles?

• Straining during bowel movements
• Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
• Having chronic diarrhea 
• chronic constipation
• Being obese
• pregnant
• Having anal intercourse
• Eating a low-fiber diet
• Regular heavy lifting

Q:8 What risk factors are associated with Piles?

• Aging: The Mucosal lining of anus  becomes more sensitive with the age and the pressure from straining and may lead to complications.
• Obesity: lack of physical activities, can lead to obesity and further piles
• Pregnancy: Piles during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes making the veins relax. Piles can leads to itching and painful and piles disappear within few weeks after Post Pregnancy.
• Diet and lifestyle: Diet and lifestyle can also be reasons behind generation of piles. Low-fiber diet, alcohol consumption, eating excessive spicy food consumption, can cause formation of piles. Low-fiber diet 

Q:9 Which are the symptoms of Piles?

• Itching around the anus
• Blood in the stools
• pain during defecation
• Presence of hard lump around the anus
• Discharge of mucus while emptying the bowels
• Sore and red anus
• Sense of fullness in the anus

Q:10 What are the complications associated with Piles?

• Infection
• Anal fistula
• Gangrene
• Incontinence in rare cases
• Anemia due to excessive blood loss

Q:11 What are the prevention of piles?

• Eat high-fiber foods. 
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Consider fiber supplements
• Don’t strain
• Go as soon as you feel the urge
• Exercise. Stay active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins
• Avoid long periods of sitting. Sitting too long, particularly on the toilet, can increase the pressure on the veins in the anus.

Q:12 What are the types of piles according to dosha in Ayurveda?

• pitta might tend to experience inflamed, bleeding hemorrhoids that are soft and red. Other symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and a feeling of thirst.
• vata may experience a high level of pain, constipation, and black hemorrhoids with a rough, hard texture.
• kapha may have poor digestion and hemorrhoids that are slippery, light or white in color, soft, and large in size.

Q:13 What are the ayurvedic treatment for piles? 

• Medication, or bhaishajya chikitsa – minor hemorrhoids can be treated with medication only. 
• Herbal application, or kshara – Kshara is a caustic, alkaline paste used to manage hemorrhoids. Kshara is applied to the hemorrhoid using a specialized device called a slit proctoscope. 
• Surgical intervention, or sastra chikitsa- Your Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend a therapy called kshara sutra. Kshara sutra uses special medicated thread to tie a hemorrhoid off at the base.
• Cauterization, or agnikarma– External hemorrhoids can be cauterized using infrared heat.