Everything You Need to Know About Hemorrhoids (Piles): Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are a common yet often uncomfortable topic that many people face at some point in their lives. Understanding what they are, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for managing and preventing them effectively. In this post, we will delve into what piles are, their signs and symptoms, and what you can do at home to both prevent and treat them. We'll also explore other treatment options and highlight red flag symptoms to watch out for.

So, what exactly are piles? Essentially, piles are swollen blood vessels that form lumps inside and around your anus. They are quite common and often improve on their own, but knowing how to treat and prevent them is essential. The primary cause of piles is increased pressure in the lower rectum, which can result from various factors such as prolonged sitting on the toilet, being overweight, straining during bowel movements, heavy lifting, and pregnancy.

The signs and symptoms of piles depend on the type of hemorrhoid you have. There are three common types: internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, and thrombosed hemorrhoids.

1. **Internal Hemorrhoids**: These are located inside the rectum and are usually not visible or painful. However, they can cause painless bleeding during bowel movements. You might notice bright red blood on the toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl. In some cases, an internal hemorrhoid can prolapse or protrude through the anal opening, leading to pain and irritation.

2. **External Hemorrhoids**: These occur under the skin around the anus and can cause itching, irritation, pain, and discomfort. Swelling around the anus and bleeding are also common symptoms.

3. **Thrombosed Hemorrhoids**: These are external hemorrhoids where blood pools and forms a clot, leading to severe pain, swelling, inflammation, and sometimes a hard, discolored lump near the anus.

Now, let's talk about prevention and home treatment. Here are nine things you should do:

1. **Drink plenty of fluids and eat a high-fiber diet**: This helps keep your stool soft, reducing irritation to your back passage.
2. **Use damp toilet paper**: This can help prevent further irritation when wiping.
3. **Take paracetamol**: If the piles are painful, paracetamol can help manage the discomfort.
4. **Take warm baths**: This can ease itching and pain.
5. **Use an ice pack**: Wrapped in a towel, an ice pack can help reduce discomfort.
6. **Gently push back a prolapsed pile**: If it's an external one, this can help reduce pain.
7. **Keep your bottom clean and dry**: Good hygiene is crucial.
8. **Exercise regularly**: This can help prevent constipation.
9. **Cut down on alcohol and caffeine**: These can contribute to constipation.

There are also six things you should avoid:

1. **Avoid wiping too hard**: This can cause further irritation.
2. **Don't ignore the urge to poo**: Holding it in can worsen piles.
3. **Avoid pushing too hard during bowel movements**: Straining can exacerbate the condition.
4. **Avoid painkillers containing codeine**: These can cause constipation.
5. **Don't take ibuprofen if your piles are bleeding**: It can exacerbate bleeding.
6. **Avoid spending too much time on the toilet**: This can increase pressure in the rectum.

If home treatments aren't effective, other treatment options are available. Over-the-counter medicines can help, such as creams to ease pain, itching, and swelling, laxatives to soften stool, and cold packs for discomfort. However, if these don't work or you experience severe symptoms, it's time to see a doctor. A doctor can assess your condition and may need to perform an examination, including placing a gloved finger inside your bottom to check for internal piles.

You should see a doctor if your symptoms worsen, there's no improvement after seven days of home treatment, you keep getting piles, or you notice any unusual changes around your bottom. Additionally, seek medical attention if you're losing weight without trying, have visible bleeding from your bottom, have a high temperature or feel generally unwell, or notice pus leaking from your piles.

In some cases, hospital treatment may be necessary. Non-surgical options include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, electrotherapy, and infrared coagulation. These procedures are generally quick, and you can go home the same day. However, if they don't work, surgery might be required, and the surgeon can discuss the available options with you.

Finally, if you're experiencing non-stop bleeding, passing large blood clots, or severe pain, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention.

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