About Piles

Piles or haemorrhoids are the swollen veins in the walls of rectum and anus. During defeacation there is excessive pressure and the tissues supporting the haemorrhoidal veins stretch and hence rectal veins dilate; their walls become thin and piles polyps develop, which on more stretching and pressure bleed and sometimes protrude out of the anus. Mainly 2 types of haemorrhoids based on the location - internal and external.

Some of the known possible causes are ::

Habitual constipation or diarrhoea

Old age

During pregnancy due to constipation

Hereditary (from parents to children)

Excessive use of meat, eggs, fish, wine, etc.

Sedentary life style (to sit at the same place for long time)

Due to Long journeys

Liver disease (due to portal vein obstruction)

Faulty bowel movement, e.g. spending long time in the toilet, excessive use of laxatives and purgatives (strong laxatives), straining during defecation.

Can piles or haemorrhoids lead to cancer ?

There is no relationship between piles and cancer, but the symptoms of bleeding look like to those of colorectal cancer and other diseases of intestine e.g. ulcerative colitis etc.

Can Piles be treated with home remedies ?

Patient should not rely on self-medication. It is necessary that all the present symptoms are investigated properly by the physician especially proctologist trained in treating diseases of the colon and rectum. So, the specialist doctor first evaluates the symptoms after check-up and prescribes the proper effective treatment.