Simple ways to manage piles at home
Nov 21, 2006
Piles or haemorrhoids are painless swellings that protrude out of the anus, especially during defecation. <br>They are so common that almost half the adult population have had them by the age of 50.
By Paul Semugoma
Piles or haemorrhoids are painless swellings that protrude out of the anus, especially during defecation.
They are so common that almost half the adult population have had them by the age of 50.
What are they?
They are blood vessels. The anus has a cushion of veins just underneath the skin.
They are important in its normal function. When these vessels become distended with blood, haemorrhoids or piles form.
They are usually not noticed until they grow big, or they may bleed or become painful.
Causes
Blood collects in the veins because of blocked flow. This commonly happens in conditions leading to straining, including straining at stool or urine, chronic cough, chronic constipation and chronic diarrhoea. They are frequent during pregnancy and at delivery and are associated with being overweight and some cases run in families.
Symptoms
Simple piles are painless. One starts by noticing a swelling that comes out on defecating. It is small at first, and goes back after passing the stool. It becomes bigger over the years, till it can come out even when you are not straining. You may push it back, (and most people do), until it refuses to stay put. Associated symptoms include a mucus discharge, itching, bright red bleeding, and discomfort.Unusually, piles may become painful. This occurs if the blood clots, or if they become infected. The pain is severe, forcing one to seek quick medical advice. Nevertheless, pain is not a common symptom.
What to do?
Any condition of the anus is embarrassing and you may be tempted not to tell your doctor. Let your doctor examine them at least once. He or she will make sure that there is nothing hiding behind the piles. You can then manage them at home.
Avoid straining at stool or urine.
Make sure that stool is soft and bulky by eating enough fibre and drinking water.
Stool-softening medication may help.
Painful piles need investigation.
For itching, put some salt in half a basin of lukewarm water and sit in it for 15 minutes twice a day, and after every visit to the toilet.
Treatment
You may need to see your doctor if there are additional symptoms of pain, bleeding, or itching. If the piles grow too large, your doctor may advise surgery.
The writer is a
medical doctor
Piles or haemorrhoids are painless swellings that protrude out of the anus, especially during defecation.
They are so common that almost half the adult population have had them by the age of 50.
What are they?
They are blood vessels. The anus has a cushion of veins just underneath the skin.
They are important in its normal function. When these vessels become distended with blood, haemorrhoids or piles form.
They are usually not noticed until they grow big, or they may bleed or become painful.
Causes
Blood collects in the veins because of blocked flow. This commonly happens in conditions leading to straining, including straining at stool or urine, chronic cough, chronic constipation and chronic diarrhoea. They are frequent during pregnancy and at delivery and are associated with being overweight and some cases run in families.
Symptoms
Simple piles are painless. One starts by noticing a swelling that comes out on defecating. It is small at first, and goes back after passing the stool. It becomes bigger over the years, till it can come out even when you are not straining. You may push it back, (and most people do), until it refuses to stay put. Associated symptoms include a mucus discharge, itching, bright red bleeding, and discomfort.Unusually, piles may become painful. This occurs if the blood clots, or if they become infected. The pain is severe, forcing one to seek quick medical advice. Nevertheless, pain is not a common symptom.
What to do?
Any condition of the anus is embarrassing and you may be tempted not to tell your doctor. Let your doctor examine them at least once. He or she will make sure that there is nothing hiding behind the piles. You can then manage them at home.
Avoid straining at stool or urine.
Make sure that stool is soft and bulky by eating enough fibre and drinking water.
Stool-softening medication may help.
Painful piles need investigation.
For itching, put some salt in half a basin of lukewarm water and sit in it for 15 minutes twice a day, and after every visit to the toilet.
Treatment
You may need to see your doctor if there are additional symptoms of pain, bleeding, or itching. If the piles grow too large, your doctor may advise surgery.
The writer is a
medical doctor