Piles
Piles or
hemorrhoids
are among
the most common ailments today, especially in the
Western world. They
are
a varicose and often inflamed condition of the veins
inside or just
outside
the rectum. In external piles there is a lot of pain,
but not much
bleeding.
In the case of internal piles, there is a discharge of
dark blood. In some
cases,
the veins burst and this results in what is known as
bleeding piles.
Symptoms
Pain at
passing
stools,
slight bleeding in the case of internal trouble and
a feeling of
soreness
and irritation after passing a stool are the usual
symptoms of piles.
The
patient cannot sit comfortably due to itching,
discomfort and pain in
the
rectal region.
Causes
The primary
cause of
piles
is chronic constipation and other bowel disorders.
The pressure applied
to pass a stool to evacuate constipated bowls and
the congestion caused
by constipation ultimately lead to piles. The use of
purgatives to
relieve
constipation, by their irritating and weakening
effect on the lining of
the rectum, also result in enlargement and
inflammation of veins and
bleeding
of the mucus lining. Piles are more common during
pregnancy and in
conditions
affecting the liver and upper bowel. Prolonged
periods of standing or
sitting,
strenuous work, obesity and general the weakness of
the tissues of the body
are the other contributory causes of piles.
Mental
tension is
also one
of the main causes of hemorrhoids. Persons who are
always in a hurry
often
strain while passing stools. They rush through
defecation instead of
making
it a relaxed affair. The pressure thus exerted by
the anal muscles
affect
the surrounding tissues. The extra rectal pressure
and the resultant
congestion
of veins ultimately lead to hemorrhoids. There is
probably a hereditary
factor also involved in the development of piles.
Treatment
|