Piles

 Piles or hemorrhoids are swellings on the outside of the anal canal or swellings inside the anal canal where the tissue has become swollen. Inside the anal canal, there is a short, muscular tube that connects the rectum with the anus. The walls are known as anal cushions and when the tissue becomes irritated, it causes round swellings that can reach the size of a grape.

Piles or hemorrhoids are quite common in adults. Piles are inflamed condition of the veins, but it is not a varicose vein. In external piles, you will experience a lot of pain but not as much bleeding. Internal piles leave a dark bloody discharge because the veins burst. There are 4 different "degrees" of piles, they are as follows:

• First degree piles - These are swelling inside the lining of the anal canal. A first degree can bleed but it normally cannot be seen from outside the anus.
  
• Second degree piles - These swellings are generally larger and they stick out from the anus when you release your bowels. When your bowels contract, the piles return on their own.
  
• Third degree piles - These piles are similar to a second degree pile, but they do not return on their own, instead, you need to push them back into the anus.
  
• Fourth degree piles - A fourth degree pile permanently hangs down from the anus and cannot be returned inside the anus. A fourth degree pile is extremely painful and can become swollen and produce blood clots.

If you have an external pile, it will be more painful than an internal pile. External piles can cause lumps around the anus and cause the skin to crack and bleed. An external pile may also include blood that collects underneath the skin and swells.

Causes and Symptoms of Piles

There are a few ways to determine if you have piles. If you experience pain when you pass stools, slight bleeding, soreness after bowel movements, anal itching, and pain in the rectal region, chances are you have piles. Common symptoms of piles will be bright red blood from your anus, which you may notice in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper after a bowel movement. A lump on the anus and pain during a bowel movement are all symptoms of piles. Other symptoms include a slimy discharge of mucus that causes anal itching, a feeding that your bowels are still full, and soiling your underwear. If you soil your underwear, this generally points to third or fourth degree piles. Bright red blood is usually the number one sign of piles.

No one really knows for sure what causes piles. Many studies believe that piles are a result of our weakening tissue layers that connect the anal muscles to the anal cushions. The anal cushions slide out of their normal place because of the muscle weakness and the normal place of the tissue shifts. Women who are pregnant are at a greater risk for piles as are elderly individuals. If you already experience constipation or chronic diarrhea, you are also at a risk for piles. Straining during bowel movements and poor diet both lead to piles. Some individuals with cancer in the pelvis have pile as do individuals who have polyps in the colon. Your diet should be high in fiber and have at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.

 If you suspect you have piles, you need to seek medical attention. Your doctor will perform a rectal examination. The rectal examination could be a small one, with just insertion of their fingers, or they may perform a complete colonoscopy. Discuss your medical history with your doctor so they can make a complete diagnosis. If your doctor needs to examine the interior of the colon walls, they will use a proctoscope. The proctoscope is a short tube with transparent walls. The tube will allow a small camera to be inserted into your rectum along with a light. A similar examination is called a sigmoidoscope. This examination is the same procedure, but the tube is longer so the doctor can view more of your bowels. The last examination that may be performed is a complete colonoscopy. This is when the doctor is able to get a look at your entire bowel. To prepare for any of these tests, you will be required to drink a liquid beverage that empties the bowels as much as possible before the test.

To prevent piles, there are a few home remedies you can try. Always drink plenty of water and eat 25-40 grams of fiber each day. Allow plenty of time for the feces to pass through the bowels and resist straining during a bowel movement. Take warm baths to help keep the area clean and free from irritation. You may also try using fiber supplements like Metamucil and Fiberall. If you are having mild pain that is the early onset of piles, try using soothing creams and ointments. Avoid leaving the area moist, as this will only cause further irritation. Preparation H is a good ointment that cools and sooths the anus if it is feeling painful. Medicated wipes like Tucks are also helpful for irritation and pain. 

Some natural remedies to treat piles include the following:

Dry Figs

Using 3 or 4 fig leaves, you will soak them in water overnight and take them first thing in the morning. You should also repeat this process in the evening for 3 to 4 weeks.

Mango Seeds

Mango seeds are a great way to treat bleeding piles. You need to collect the seeds when they are fresh and dry them in the shade. Powder them and keep them stored for medical purposes. The powder from the mango seeds should be given in doses of about one to two grams daily. Repeat this process in the morning and evening.

Radish and Turnips

Plant white radish as it is considered highly valuable in piles. 100 mg of grated radish should be mixed with a teaspoon of honey and taken twice daily. The leaves from turnips are wonderful for treating piles. You can use the juice of the leaves and drink them. Turnips have been known to help individuals with extreme cases of piles. If you drink turnips, you need to eat a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables.

Ginger

Use a half a teaspoon and mix it with fresh lime juice, fresh mint juice, and a tablespoon of honey. Drink this once a day to help medicate piles.

Onion

If you have bleeding piles, onions are extremely helpful. About 30 grams of finely rubbed onion should be dissolved in water and mixed with about 60 grams of sugar. Take this drink twice a day and you should feel relief from piles in a couple days.

 Your diet will have a lot to do with piles. Start by cleansing your colon by drinking only fruit juice, vegetable juice, and water for 48 hours. Once the intestines and digestive tract have been allowed to rest for a few days, they will be cleansed and ready for a new diet regime. For the first 7 days, you need to adopt a fruit-only diet and slowly introduce all natural foods such as whole grains. The foods you eat should be aimed at providing you with a soft stool.

One of the best ways to treat piles is to exercise. It is entirely up to the patient as to how much effort they want to put into helping their body stay healthy. Exercise plays a large role in correcting the problem. Try to do exercises that will move the upper abdominal muscles and cause circulation to improve in the rectal region. Side twisting is one of the best exercises you can do. Side twisting can be performed when you are sitting or standing, it is basically like wringing out a wet towel, you will twist to one side and then twist to the complete opposite, keeping the legs and feet pointed straight.

If home remedies don't work, your doctor may recommend surgery for piles. There are different procedures used to treat piles. Some procedures can be done in a few minutes and you can be back home by the end of the day. For anyone who has third degree piles, you will undergo a procedure called banding. This procedure involves a small elastic band that is placed just above the pile. It will cut off the blood supply to the pile and cause it to die and fall off within a few days. The area that is left will naturally heal on its own.

Another procedure used to treat piles is called a sclerotherapy. This is an injection of sclerosant directly into the pile. The oil causes the pile to shrink and die on its own. If you need a more extensive treatment, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight or longer. A hemorrhoidectomy is the surgical removal of piles. If you have tried banding or sclerotherapy and it didn't work, this will be the next step. The doctor will cut the pile away from the muscle and tie off the blood vessels. Then they will stitch the wound closed and allow it to heal.