What is Piles?
Piles also called as a hemorrhoid are swollen tissues that contain veins. Piles are located in the wall of the rectum and anus and may cause minor bleeding or develop small blood clots. Piles occur when the tissues enlarges, weaken and become free is often described as “varicose veins of the anus and rectum” generally becomes enlarged, bulged with blood vessels in and about the anus and lower rectum. Piles can be classified into two categories:
- On the basis of position: Internal, External and Interno-external
- On the basis of symptoms (Severity):
- Grade I: No Prolepses with presence of only prominent blood vessels.
- Grade II: Prolepses upon bearing down but automaticallyreduce.
- Grade III: Prolepses upon bearing down and requiremanual reduction.
- Grade IV: Prolapsed and cannot be manually reduced.
Signs & Symptoms of Piles
The symptoms of piles depend on the type present. Internal haemorrhoids is characterized with painless rectal bleeding while external haemorrhoids may produce few symptoms or if thrombosed significant pain and swelling in the area of the anus.The extreme piles may lead to complications like anaemia and thrombosed strangulated piles.
Causes of Piles
Actual causes of piles are still unknown but prolonged sitting, tight-laced clothes, poor-fibre diet and poor bathroom habits are believed to play a major role. Some medical condition like spinal-cord injuries, alcoholic cirrhosis and chronic constipation and diarrhoea can lead to piles. Recent studies suggest that genetic predisposition, prolonged forceful defecation and pregnancy can also cause piles.
How do we help in Piles?
According to Sushruta, Piles also called as Arshain sanskrit is a diseases in which vitiated Doshas along with Rakta (Blood) collects in the major vessels in body (PradhanDhamanis) and goes towards anal canal and create a swelling (Ankur). Ayurvedic treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic relief and correction of anatomical deformity of the anal canal. Kashar sutra ligation is highly recommended to piles patients in which medicated herbal coated thread are applied onto internal and external piles mass within 5-7 days withered piles mass falls off with cure rate of 97%.Ksharkarma is yet another technique which involves the applying of a sclerosing agent like apamargksharsnuhikshar into the haemorrhoid which results in permanent endofibrosis and clinical obliteration of the vessel causing vein walls to collapse and the hemorrhoids to shrivel up with success rate of 70%. Another treatment of piles includePathadiyog which is a group of five drugs namely Cissampelospareira (Patha), Fagonia Arabica (Dhamasa), Aeglemarmelos(Bilva), Apiumgraveolens (Yavani) and Zinziberofficinalis (Shunthi).
The warm sitz bath of sesame oil is the hydrotherapy recommended for the conditions associated with increased pelvic congestion which is non-invasive in nature for uncomplicated haemorrhoids and varicose veins, but requires a high degree of patient’s compliance. Few medicinal plants which are beneficial for treatment of Piles are: Centellaasiatica, AesculusHippocastanum, RuscusAculeatus, Gingko biloba, Rosacanina, Silybummarianum, Commiphoramukul, Azadirachtaindica, Emblicaofficinalis, Terminaliachebula, Cassia fistula, Calendula officinalis, Mimosa pudica, Vitexnegundo. Ayurveda finally focuses on consumption of Pathya Cow milk, Butter, Buttermilk, Wheat, Ghee, Rice, Green vegetable, Regular sleep, Exercise, Regular diet, Non suppression of natural urges etc. for complete relief from piles.
