Definition:
Piles (Haemorrhoids) are swollen and inflamed blood vessels (veins) in the rectum and anus. Piles are broadly classified as follows:
External: Piles that are outside the anal verge
Internal: Piles that occur inside the rectum
Causes:
These include the following:
- Genetic predisposition (weak rectal veins, walls)
- Poor muscle tone in the rectal region
- Constipation
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Chronic cough
- Pregnancy
- Overuse of laxatives or enemas
- Lifting heavy weights habitually
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary depending upon the site of piles, duration of complaints and general health of the person.
Yoga breathing teachings:
Karma, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana, Hatha Yoga, Kriya, Mantra, Kundalini, Laya, Ashtanga, Bikram and Anusara Yoga.
External piles
present as a swelling outside the anus with irritation and itching. These can be painful sometimes and usually do not bleed.
Internal piles
are usually not painful but these bleed when they are irritated such as during the passage of hard stools. They can be classified into four grades:
Grade 1 piles are small swellings on the inside lining of the anus. They cannot be seen or felt from outside the anus.
Grade 2 piles are partly pushed out (prolapse) from the anus when you go to the toilet, but quickly 'retract back' inside again.
Grade 3 piles hang out (prolapse) from the anus and are felt as one or more small, soft lumps that hang from the anus. However, they can be pushed back inside the anus with a finger.
Grade 4 piles permanently hang down from within the anus, and cannot be pushed back inside. They can sometimes become quite large.
Some of the other symptoms generally associated with piles are:
- Protrusion of piles outside the anus; this usually occurs after defecation, prolonged standing or unusual physical exertion
- Bleeding from the anus: This can occur before, during or after stools. This will be bright red blood, not usually mixed with the stools, but often seen on the toilet paper
- Soreness, pain, itching in the anal region
- In case of profuse bleeding that is chronic, the patient may be anaemic
- Sensation of something coming down, or a bulge or lump at the anus
- If the piles outside the anus develop a blood clot inside, (thrombosed piles) it leads to a particularly tender, hard lump.
Suggestion about homeopathic treatment:
Homeopathic medicines are very effective in management of piles and the symptoms associated with it such as pain, bleeding, itching, etc. The point to be emphasized is that the relief of symptoms is obtained with absolute gentleness and without invasion or surgery of any kind. Moreover, the condition has high relapse rate following surgical treatment, since surgery does not target the root causes like genetic tendencies, habitual constipation, etc. Homeopathic medicines work at the root level and can modify these genetic tendencies thus reducing chances of relapse and recurrence of the condition significantly. Grade 1 and 2 of internal piles can be significantly helped with Homoeopathy. Grade 3 piles can find some relief of symptoms with Homoeopathy but may not be completely cured. Grade 4 piles can get symptomatic relief with medicines.
Dietary advices:
To begin the dietetic treatment, the whole digestive tract must be given a complete rest for a few days and the intestines thoroughly cleansed. For this purpose the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for at least seven days. He should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as grapes, apples, pears, peaches, oranges, pineapples and melons. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or plain water either hot or cold may be taken.
In long-standing and stubborn cases, it will be advisable to have a short fast for four or five days before adopting an all-fruit diet. When on a short fast, the patient may have the juice of an orange in a glass of warm water, if desired. An enema with lukewarm water should be taken daily in the morning while fasting. This will cleanse the bowels and give much needed rest to the rectal tissues.