What are Piles? Also known as hemorrhoids, piles are swollen blood vessels in the rectal area due to extreme pressure being put to it.
They are also itchy, painful and with a stinging sensation.
There are two types of piles or hemorrhoids- internal and external.
Internal piles are not noticeable due to the fact that they remain inside the rectum.
They also have lesser symptoms.
You'll only become aware of them once they begin to bleed.
External piles, on the other hand, are very much visible and felt.
They are like hard lumps around the anus which are swollen, inflamed and itchy.
They can also be ruptured, causing them to bleed.
Bleeding is a serious problem and urgently needs medical attention since it can also be an indication of a more serious medical condition.
Who Gets Affected? Sadly, anyone can get piles or hemorrhoids.
You can get it.
Even your toddler can have piles.
Both men and women are prone to having hemorrhoids but pregnant women are more at risk due to the hormonal changes that comes with being pregnant.
Older people are also more prone due to the effects of aging to the body.
What is the Major Cause of Piles? Constipation is known to be the most common cause of piles.
It can also aggravate the situation if you already do have piles.
When you are constipated, your stools become hard that's why you need to strain during bowel movement.
When you strain, the blood vessels in your anal region becomes swollen and inflamed.
Home Treatment In order to avoid being constipated, you need to change your eating habits.
Eat foods which are rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables.
Drink plenty of water and get regular exercise.
Fiber and water helps your digestive system to function properly so you don't get constipated.
Exercise increases your metabolism and gets your blood flowing so you can minimize the symptoms of piles.
After passing a stool, make sure that you clean the area thoroughly with fresh water and gentle soap.
You can also put some witch hazel, creams and medicated pads to the affected area.
Piles Surgery For bad cases of piles, a surgery may be the only option.
There are chemical injections to shrink swollen piles.
You can also undergo hemorrhoidectomy.
Remember however that surgery should be the last resort when all else fail.