Pile are lumps or swellings, (which contain enlarged blood vessels) and are found inside or around the anus and rectum.
CAUSES OF PILES
Piles could result from any of the following:
- Repeated straining during stooling, especially in people who suffer from frequent constipation.
- Pregnancy.
- Repeated episodes of diarrhea.
- Being over-weight.
- Age over 45.
- Many people have no apparent explanation for the formation of pile.
- It could run in one’s family.
SYMPTOMS OF PILES
You, most likely, have piles if you experience any of the following:
- Pain in the anus (especially when stooling)
- Itching of the anus
- Mucous discharge from the anus
- Bright red blood on the toilet tissue-paper after having a stooling, especially if the stool was very hard or very large. Blood also may streak the surface of the stool, or color the water in the toilet bowl.
- For a prolapsed pile, a soft, grape-like mass protruding from the anus that may, sometimes, discharge mucous.
- For external pile, bothersome protrusions and difficulties keeping the anal area clean.
- External pile may also cause intermittent swelling, irritation, and mild discomfort, especially after a period of diarrhea or constipation.
HOME REMEDIES AND TREATMENT OF PILES
If you are experiencing a flare-up of piles pain, swelling, and discomfort, try the following treatment of piles:
- Take pain medicine, like Feldene, Ibuprofen, etc
- Take a fiber powder to soften the stool.
- Take warm sitz baths, especially when the pile are uncomfortable. Sit in a tub or pan of plain warm water, 3 or 4 times a day, for 15-20 minutes each time. (Large pharmacies and medical supply stores also sell convenient plastic sitz bath devices that fit into a toilet). The water will keep the area clean, and the warmth will reduce discomfort. Be certain to dry the anal area thoroughly after each sitz bath. If you work, you can still take a sitz bath in the morning, upon returning from work, and again at bedtime.
- Apply a cold compress or icepack to the anal area, or try a cool cotton pad soaked in witch hazel.
- Apply petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel to the anal area, or use an over-the-counter hemorrhoid preparation containing lidocaine or hydrocortisone.
- After every stooling, clean the anal area with a witch hazel pad, a soothing baby wipe or a cotton cloth soaked in warm water. Be thorough but gentle. Aggressive rubbing and scrubbing, especially with soaps or other skin cleansers, can irritate the skin and make your pile worse.
- If you have persistent pile symptoms see your doctor. Some piles may require surgery.
PREVENTION OF PILES
However preventing pile is the best.
You can often prevent piles by preventing constipation. Some of the following diet and lifestyle changes may help you to soften your stool, establish a regular schedule for bowel movements, and avoid the straining that can lead to hemorrhoids:
- Add more fiber to your diet. High fiber foods as beans, corn,vegetables, carrots, bran, whole grains and fresh fruits. To avoid bloating and gas, add fiber to your diet gradually over a period of several days.
- Drink adequate amounts of fluid. For most healthy adults, as a guide, this is the equivalent of 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
- Begin a program of regular exercise. As little as 20 minutes of brisk walking daily can stimulate your bowel to move regularly.
- Train your system to have regular bowel movements. Schedule a time to sit on the toilet at approximately the same time each day. The best time to do this is usually right after a meal. Do not sit on the toilet for long periods (it tends to make hemorrhoids swell up and push out).
- Respond immediately to the urge to have a bowel movement. Do not postpone until the time is more convenient.
Call your doctor whenever you have bleeding from your anus (especially if you are over age 40, when there is an increase in the risk of anal bleeding from other serious digestive diseases). Also, see your doctor if you have severe anal pain.
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