Information on Piles
Piles 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. The increased pressure and swelling may result from straining to move the bowel. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, heredity, aging, and chronic constipation or diarrhea. Piles disease are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external).
Many anorectic problems, including piles? Fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching (pruritus ani), have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as piles. piles usually are not dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, haemorrhoidal symptoms will go away within a few days. Although many people have piles, not all experience symptoms. The most common symptom of internal piles is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl.
However, an internal haemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body, becoming irritated and painful. This is known as a protruding haemorrhoid. Symptoms of external piles may include 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. In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding and/or itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itching.
Piles are very common in men and women. About half of the population has piles by age 50. Piles are also common among pregnant women. The pressure of the foetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, causes the haemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. These vessels are also placed under severe pressure during childbirth. For most women, however, piles caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.
A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool lasts more than a couple of days. Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer. The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate piles and will also perform a digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger to feel for abnormalities.
Closer evaluation of the rectum for piles requires an exam with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube useful for viewing internal piles, or a proctoscope, useful for more completely examining the entire rectum. To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) with sigmoidoscopy or the entire colon with colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic procedures that also involve the use of lighted, flexible tubes inserted through the rectum. Read on piles treatment for more information.
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