Medical Treatments for Piles: A Comprehensive Guide
Piles occur due to the swelling and enlargement of veins in the rectum and the lower anus. This swelling can cause inflammation of the nearby tissues. Piles are also known as haemorrhoids. Although they are common, the signs of piles aren’t usually apparent right away.
In India, around 10 million people suffer from piles every year. In this article, you’ll learn various treatment and diagnosis options for piles.
Piles Diagnosis
To determine whether you have internal piles, your doctor will examine your anal canal and rectum.
During this diagnosis, the doctor performs the following tests and examinations:
- Digital Inspection: The doctor will lubricate their gloved fingers and insert them in your rectum. They will check for any growths or other anomalies.
- Visual Examination: Your doctor may use a sigmoidoscope, proctoscope, or anoscope to examine the lower part of your rectum and colon. That’s because internal piles are so soft and delicate that manual rectal checks may fail to locate them.
Your doctor may also perform a colonoscopy to evaluate your colon when:
- You’re at risk of developing colorectal cancer
- Your symptoms point to the possibility of another digestive system disorder
- You are passing blood with stool
Piles Treatment Options
Most of the time, there is no need for piles treatment as they typically go away on their own. However, treatment or therapies can lessen the irritation and discomfort significantly.
Home Remedy Solutions –
Home remedies can reduce the pain, irritation, and swelling associated with piles.
- Consume Fiber-Rich Meals: Try to eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. By doing so, your stool will become softer and more voluminous. It will prevent you from straining during bowel movements and worsening the symptoms of pre-existing piles. If you want to avoid flatulence, incorporate fiber into your daily diet.
- Apply Topical Remedies: Use creams with hydrocortisone. It can reduce inflammation.
- Take Warm or Sitz Baths: You may take warm or sitz baths. To treat the anal region effectively, take a bath in warm water (for approximately 10 to 15 minutes). Make this a routine.
- Oral Painkillers: To ease the pain and discomfort, consume oral painkillers. You can either go for ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen.
Pile symptoms may subside in some cases. However, if they persist, or if the bleeding or pain becomes severe, consult a doctor.
Piles Medication –
Individuals with piles can manage their symptoms using several available medication choices. These include:
- Stool Softeners: Laxatives, as well as stool softeners, can ease and relax your bowel movement. It will reduce the pain from piles.
- Painkillers: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and aspirin are the two most commonly used painkillers by patients. It helps ease the pain and discomfort.
- Corticosteroids: Ointments and cream products containing corticosteroids can lessen inflammation, discomfort, and itching.
Surgery Options –
Surgery might be required for severely prolapsed piles or internal bleeding piles. Surgery to treat piles may include:
- Banding: To cut off the blood flow to the pile, the surgeon wraps a band (elastic) around the base of the pile. Typically, the pile shrivels and falls off over time.
- Sclerotherapy: Here, a physician injects a medication into the pile to make it contract and disappear. It works well as an alternative to banding for second and third-stage piles.
- Infrared Coagulation: This surgical procedure involves burning the piles’ tissue via an infrared laser source.
- Haemorrhoidectomy: With this procedure, all haemorrhagic tissue is removed. Although it’s an efficient method for eliminating piles, problems can occur, such as trouble passing stools.
- Hemorrhoid stapling: In this technique, a doctor uses staples to stop the blood supply to the piles. It is one of the most advanced and effective surgeries for piles.
Final Thoughts
Excessive exercise, protracted constipation, and straining while passing stool can all lead to piles. Many piles subside without treatment. However, surgery may be necessary to effectively treat severe and painful cases.
Consult the leading surgeons at a reputed hospital for an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
Get a consultation today!
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