What are the Common Piles Symptoms and Their Treatment?

How to Identify & Treat Piles – Symptoms, Risk Factors, & Solutions

Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and rectum that cause discomfort, bleeding, and pain during bowel motions. It is usually caused by straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, or other factors that increase pressure in the lower rectum.

If you or your loved ones are suffering from piles, identifying the symptoms and possible treatment options is key to proper handling and relief.

Keep reading for detailed insight!

What are the Common Symptoms of Piles?

Piles show a spectrum of symptoms based on their type and extent. Usually, they are classified as internal, external, and thrombosed piles:

Usually painless, internal piles occur within the rectum but sometimes result in bright red bleeding spotted on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. In some cases, they can prolapse, which means they stick out of the anal opening and might need manual help to regress.
External piles form below the skin near the anus. Pain or discomfort whilst sitting or passing stools, anal region swelling, and itching or irritation from inflammation are more likely to prompt observable symptoms. Furthermore, one might suffer from bleeding.
When blood coagulates inside or outside haemorrhoids, they become thrombosed haemorrhoids. These are especially uncomfortable and could produce quite a bad swelling and a noticeable bump close to the anus.

What are the Major Causes and Risk Factors of Piles?

There are several causes of piles, such as:

Sitting on the toilet for long hours because of long-term constipation is a major cause.
Lifestyle factors like obesity and pregnancy can also contribute to the risk by stressing the rectal veins.
A low-fiber diet, combined with limited physical exercise, can exacerbate the problem, making regular bowel movements more difficult and uncomfortable.

How to Diagnose Piles?

Diagnostics of haemorrhoids begin with a physical check-up, especially if visible external ones are present.
Internal haemorrhoids can be found using a digital rectal exam.
Anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is sometimes performed to rule out other ailments that could be producing similar symptoms and to have a better picture of the rectal and anal canals.

What are the Treatment Options Available for Piles?

The kind and severity of piles will greatly influence their treatment:

Typically, lifestyle choices and home treatments work well for mild to semi-moderate cases. Among these is changing the diet to one high in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to make the stool softer and easier to pass.
Staying well-hydrated and working out regularly also reduces pressure on the veins and stops constipation.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can work well for symptom relief. Topical creams or ointments with hydrocortisone to soothe inflammation, suppositories for internal haemorrhoids, and oral analgesics, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, help in the overall pain relief process.
When these options fail to provide relief, minimally invasive operations might be advised. By placing a band around the bottom of the haemorrhoid to restrict blood flow, rubber band ligation makes it shrink and fall off.
Coagulation uses laser or infrared light to attain similar results.
Sclerotherapy entails small solutions being injected to deflate haemorrhoids.
Moderate or chronic conditions might call for surgery. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy stops blood flow to the haemorrhoid tissue, causing it to shrink eventually.

How to Prevent Piles?

Managing and minimizing the recurrence of piles depends much on prevention. In this regard, here are some tips to follow:

Staying in shape, eating a fibre-dense diet, and drinking enough water are among the key preventative measures.
Responding quickly to the impulse to defecate and avoiding long sitting, especially on the toilet, can also lower the likelihood of haemorrhoids.
In long-term prevention, normal daily activities promoting good digestion and bowel movements are vital.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Piles?

Consider seeking medical attention for piles when:

If you experience regular or extreme rectal bleeding, constant anal pain, or symptoms that home treatments don't help, you should see a doctor.
A sore lump by the anus is among signs of thrombosed haemorrhoids that also call for immediate action.

Furthermore, an accurate diagnosis is essential since rectal bleeding might also be a sign of other diseases, including anal fissures or colorectal cancer. An early medical examination allows doctors to precisely identify the root cause and eliminate any complications. Keep in mind that piles are very common and can be easily treated if detected early.

Thus, whether you have minor discomfort or more severe symptoms, avoid neglecting the signals and instead consult a doctor to seek professional advice. Also, having a health insurance plan can make it easier for you to seek quality medical care and start treatment before the condition worsens.

To find the best health insurance policy that meets your medical requirements, contact Star Health today!