Piles:

Vascular structures of the anal canal that help us control the stool are called haemorriods. They usually act as a cushion made of connective tissues and arterio-venous channels that aids the passage of stool. When these haemerroids get inflamed and swollen, they become pathological. Piles may occur at any age in men or women.

Cause:

Mainly, excessive and continuous pressure in the veins causes piles. If someone has a condition of constipation or has to strain a lot during his or her bowel movements, then piles may occur. Spending extra time in the toilet can also be a cause. Lifting heavy weight is also a reason behind having piles. Persistent diarrhea can also be a reason for piles, says a piles doctor in Kolkata named Dr. Mainak Pal. Swellings that are round in shape discoloured and tiny lumps on the anus are called piles. Piles may also hang from the anus canal.

Types:

There are two types of piles;

  • Internal piles- Internal piles can be found inside the anal canal.
  • External piles- If the piles come out of the anus and hang outside the anus, then they become external piles.

Piles are classified depending on the condition.

  • First degree: The first degree piles do not come out but may bleed at times.
  • Second degree: In this case, the piles come out of the anus during bowel movement and go back inside after it’s done.
  • Third degree: Piles come out, and don’t go back inside till you push them.
  • Fourth degree: In the fourth degree, the piles remain outside your anus partially and cause extreme pain and bleeding. Even blood clotting may occur inside the lump.

Symptoms:

Piles’ symptoms are not that serious and initially may resolve on their own.

  • A lump may be felt around the anus, and that may cause sharp pain. It may have coagulated blood inside it. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are piles containing blood in them.
  • Even after a complete bowel movement, a person with piles may remain unsatisfied and may feel that the bowels are still there.
  • Blood can be visible after a bowel movement. One may also find blood in his/her stool.
  • The anus and the area around may become red and itchy.
  • You may feel extreme pain while defecating.

If the condition of piles is severe, the symptoms may escalate, says Dr. Mainak Pal, a renowned piles doctor in Kolkata.

  • Extreme bleeding from the anus may cause anaemia
  • Infection
  • Strangulated haemorrhoids may also develop
  • Painless bleeding following stool passage

If you suffer from one or more of these symptoms, don’t ignore them and visit a doctor who does piles treatment in Kolkata soon.