Piles, also known as haemorrhoids are swollen but normally present blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum that stretch under pressure, similar to varicose veins in the legs. Haemorrhoids are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external).

Haemorrhoids are very common in men and women. About half the population have haemorrhoids by age 50. A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs.

Symptoms

Haemorrhoids usually are not dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, haemorrhoidal symptoms will go away within a few days.

Although many people have haemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms.

Internal haemorrhoids:

bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl.

External haemorrhoids:

painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms. This condition is known as a thrombosed external haemorrhoid.

Causes

The increased pressure and swelling may result from straining to move the bowel. Contributing factors include aging, chronic constipation or diarrhoea.

Treatment

Medical treatment of haemorrhoids initially is aimed at relieving symptoms. Measures to reduce symptoms include:

• Warm baths several times a day in plan water for about 10 minutes
• Ice packs to help reduce swelling
• Application of a haemorrhoidal cream or suppository to the affected are for a limited time

In some cases, haemorrhoids must be treated surgically.

These methods are used to shrink and destroy the haemorrhoidal tissue. The doctor can perform most of these procedures during a visit to the hospital surgical outpatient department.

Prevention

Prevention of a recurrence of haemorrhoids is aimed at changing conditions associated with the pressure and straining of constipation.

• Increase fibre in your diet. Fibre helps reduce constipation and straining and results in softer, bulkier stools. A softer stool makes emptying the bowels easier and lessens the pressure on haemorrhoids caused by straining
• Eliminate straining. This also helps prevent the haemorrhoids from protruding
• Empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs. Increased fibre in the diet helps reduce constipation and straining by producing stools that are softer and easier to pass
• Don't sit on the toilet for a longer period of time