Prevention and Natural Treatment of Hemorrhoids/Piles.

The term piles is not used often these days but it refers to what we more often use the medical term hemorrhoids for. In medical terms piles or hemorrhoids are dilation of rectal veins in the anal canal. Veins have thin walls that are relatively weak. Back pressure with in the veins make them bulge out like balloons.

Lets try to understand a little more about what piles are, the forms they come in and common treatments.

Veins In The Rectum Involved With Hemorrhoids/Piles

There are 3 veins in the rectum,


superior
middle
inferior
Obstruction or increased pressure can cause a ballooning effect along with pain an bleeding - this condition is hemorrhoids.

Constipation is one of the big causes of the extra pressure that causes piles. This is why a high quality, high fiber diet is important in both preventing and curing piles.

The Two Types of Hemorrhoids/Piles


External Piles - These are seen outside the anal opening and are covered with skin. As you can see in the picture, they appear black or brown. These can be painful because of the many nerves in the area.
Internal Piles - These are not normally visible as they are inside the anal opening. These are red or purple and covered by mucus membrane. As there are fewer nerve endings these piles may not be painful.
Since the same conditions can trigger either type of hemorrhoids it is possible to have both at the same time. You may not even know that internal piles exist unless your doctor does an exam.

Common Symptoms of Piles


Pain - as stated pain is common in external piles, bowel movements can be torturous.
Bleeding - Bleeding may be profuse or you may only find it on the toilet paper as you clean yourself.
Protruding Mass - With external piles you can feel the swelling around the anal opening. Internal piles cannot always be detected but as they become worse they may protrude during a bowel movement and then retract by themselves on completion. If the condition becomes worse the piles may not go back. This is one of the causes of anal leakage.
Itching and leakage - Sometimes there is a discharge of mucus which causes itching around the anal orifice. It may be difficult to properly clean yourself and keep yourself clean. This can also be accompanied by a smell.

Possible Complications of Piles


Infection - Infection can spread to deep veins. This is rare with hemorrhoids or piles but can require a trip to intensive care to flush the sepsis from the blood.
Fibrosis - the piles harden and become fibrous. The anal opening hardens.
Thrombosis - The blood in the piles clots and obstructs blood flow.
Gangrene - in untreated hemorrhoids tissue and skin around protruding piles may die because the blood supply is cut off.
Suppuration - resulting in abscess and discharge of pus. This is a painful state.

Medical Treatment of Piles

Normally piles are treated according to symptoms. Constipation is treated, anemia is treated, and so on. There are a number of medical treatments that can be used to remove the piles. Unless the cause is treated by lifestyle changes the piles may possibly return.


External piles/hemorrhoids can be removed while under local anesthesia.
Rubber band ligation can remove piles in the same way that testicles are removed from steers.
Sometimes cryosurgery is used.
Anal dilation can sometimes reduce constipation and pain.
The surgical removal of piles is known as hemorrhoidectomy.

Prevention and Natural Treatment of Hemorrhoids/Piles


Increase fiber in your diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid processed foods
Drink lots of water
Use Witch Hazel on your toilet paper to clean yourself. It will soothe hemorrhoids and shrink them because of Witch Hazel's astringent properties.
Sitz Bath is an effective treatment as well and should be used twice a day.
Natural treatment is the best thing you can do for hemorrhoids because it has lasting effects that not only cures hemorrhoids but can bring big health improvements to your life.