Dear Friends, 

Happy Summer time to all!

Since the time I put up my website I have been flooded with mails  about people suffering with a "PILES". The number of queries that I got for it really surprised me! It is later that I realised that in today's world too there are people amongst us who are reluctant to see the doctor for their ""PILES".They would, rather go through the agonizing pain while passing stools, pass some blood in the morning with their stools, or sit on the bike with half their butt hanging out because of the pain, YET they are hesitant to seek medical help for this problem!! Mind you I am not talking about the ladies here but guys too!!! 

Piles are common in pregnant women, but are rare in children. 

WHAT CAUSES PILES?

    •    Straining to empty the bowels when constipated.

    •    Chronic diarrhoea.

    •    Pregnancy – the weight of the fetus on the abdomen and the increased blood flow, as well as the effect of hormones on the blood vessels.

 * Cancer or growths in the pelvis or bowel, which may exert pressure in a similar way to a pregnancy.

    * Family history – piles can run in families and are potentially hereditary, perhaps because of weak veins in the anal area.

    * Obesity.

    * Varicose veins – many people with these also develop piles, although piles are not varicose veins.

 Different types of piles :

     * Piles are classified according to their position.

    * First-degree piles remain inside the rectum or anal canal. Second-degree piles protrude (or prolapse) from the anus when the bowels are opened, but return of their own accord afterwards.

    * Third-degree piles are similar, but only return inside when pushed back.

    * Fourth-degree piles hang permanently outside the anus.

 What are the symptoms?

Most people affected have internal piles and may not have any symptoms at all. The earliest symptom is often bleeding of fresh, red blood from the anal passage when the bowels are opened. There may be itchiness around the anal area. Third and fourth degree piles may be more painful and tend to produce a slimy discharge of mucus that leaks from the exposed lining of the pile.

 There are conditions other than piles that can cause bleeding from the anus, so anyone who notices bleeding in their stool should visit a doctor for advice.

 Diagnosing piles :

 The doctor will ask about your health and carry out a physical examination. If there are external piles, these will be spotted on examination. A rectal examination, where a gloved finger is gently inserted into the anal canal, will be performed. Internal piles cannot normally be felt in this way, but the examination can reveal other problems such as an anal fissure - a painful tear of the lining of the anus. These other conditions need to be excluded before a diagnosis can be made. 

Relieving symptoms:
Regular warm baths may relieve the irritation; Ice packs may help reduce swelling.

Treatments:
Piles can usually be treated at home. The most important element in encouraging existing piles to clear up is to avoid constipation. By having regular bowel movements, and avoiding straining while stools pass easily and not to put pressure on the blood vessels in the anal area. Eating plenty of fibre-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals (eg: brown rice, wholemeal bread), and drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, should keep bowel movements soft. Avoid rich and spicy food, non-vegetarian food, strict no to pickles. It may help to take a fibre supplement or mild laxatives which soften bowel motions. 

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT :
Homeopathy greatly helps in curing piles especially the 1st 2nd and 3rd degree piles and NO SURGERY should be thought of till homeopathy has been tried.

With the overwhelming response and success  to the treatment of piles we have now started a Speciality Clinic for Piles, Fissures and Fistula at Dr. Manoj's!

It is under the able hands of Dr. Bhanu Madhav who has done a lot of research on the subject and has treated innumerable cases very successfully. 

Am ending with an apt humorous quote I read “PAIN IS SUCH AN UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING THAT EVEN A TINY AMOUNT OF IT IS ENOUGH TO RUIN EVERY ENJOYMENT"  -Will Rogers quotes 

Read More articles by Dr.Manoj on various other health issues>>