What are Piles?

Piles or haemorrhoids are a condition in which there is swelling and dilation in the veins of the lower rectum and anal region due to increased pressure. This swelling makes the walls of these veins thin and stretched, and with the passage of hard stools, they easily form piles. Gradually, there is a lump formation around these veins due to high pressure and obstruction. The common symptoms of piles include pain and bleeding during the passage of stool, itching around the anus, and formation of painful lumps in and around the anal region.

It is a very common condition. Age, diet, stress, and bathroom habits are the major factors contributing to the development of piles. People who follow a non-vegetarian diet are more at risk of developing piles as compared to people who follow a vegetarian diet.

The piles can be external or internal based on either it is visible from outside during examination or it is inside the anus. The external piles are visible around the anus under the skin, while internal piles are not visible from the outside. These patients will have bleeding in the stool, and there may be some pain. But most of the time, patients with internal piles don’t have any prominent symptoms.

Most haemorrhoids heal on their own with proper care and lifestyle changes, but if it persists more than a week, you must see a doctor.

Symptoms of Piles

In the initial stages of haemorrhoids, patients do not get any symptoms, but if the disease persists, it starts showing some symptoms. The common symptoms of piles are as follows:

• Bleeding during passage of stool.
• Pain in the anal region.
• Itching around the anus opening.
• Feeling of small tissue lumps at the edge of the anus opening. Based on the severity of the piles (grade of piles), this lump can recede back on its own, or may need a physical push to get inside, or may permanently remain outside of the anus opening.
• Mucus discharge with the stool.
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation after stool.
• A fistula may form due to chronic piles.

Causes of Piles

The piles are caused by increased pressure in the lower part of the rectum and anus. The major causes for this are:

• Chronic constipation.
• Prolonged sitting on the toilet.
• Straining while passing the stool.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Prolonged sitting.
• Lifting heavy weights.
• Chronic diarrhea.
• Obesity.
• In pregnancy.

What is Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure is different from hemorrhoids. It is a tiny cut at the edge of the opening of the anus due to tight stool or straining. In fissure also, there is blood loss with the stool, and there is intense cutting pain while passing the stool.

Anal fissure is very common in young children, but it can affect people of any age.