Can you live a normal life with Piles?

living with piles

Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are swollen blood vessels in the anal canal. They can be painful and itchy, and they may bleed. Haemorrhoids are of two types- internal and external. Internal haemorrhoids are located inside the rectum. External haemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus.

Symptoms of piles

The most common symptoms of piles are itching and pain. In the case of internal haemorrhoids, you may witness bright red blood during bowel movement. Also, they are not usually very painful unless they fall from the anal opening, also known as prolapsing. It can even lead to anaemia or low blood cell count. However, in the case of external haemorrhoids, they can even get infected and develop blood clots.

Most people with piles don't experience any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they can cause pain or discomfort when sitting. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor in a piles hospital in Chennai for an evaluation.

Causes

Piles are caused by increased pressure in the veins of your anus and lower rectum. It can happen if you're overweight, pregnant, have diarrhoea or constipation, or sit on the toilet for long periods. It can also be caused when you put extra pressure during poop.

Discomfort and everyday life because of piles

Piles can be a nuisance and cause discomfort in everyday life. Many people suffer from piles daily, and this can make everyday activities challenging. For example, living with piles can make it difficult to sit or walk for long periods. If the piles are large and protrude from the anus, they may need to be manually pushed back in after a bowel movement. It can be both painful and embarrassing.

Treatment

Piles are relatively common, affecting up to one in three adults at some point in their lives. The good news is that, in most cases, they are not serious and can get better at home with over-the-counter medication, lifestyle changes, diet alterations, or with home remedies.

For severe conditions, you may have to opt for surgery. Pile surgery, also called haemorrhoidectomy, is the last resort for treating haemorrhoids. The surgery is usually reserved for people with severe haemorrhoids that do not respond to other treatments. It involves the removal of the entire haemorrhoid, along with the surrounding tissue. This surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia when the surgeon cuts around the anus to remove the tissue.

Haemorrhoidectomies are successful in relieving symptoms like pain, bleeding, and itching. But they may not be a permanent solution, and haemorrhoids may come back. People who have this surgery may also experience temporary changes in bowel habits and some discomfort and pain after the surgery. Recovery from piles surgery can take up to six weeks.

Thus, life after piles surgery will be normal in due time. Recovery from piles surgery can take up to six weeks. During this time you will likely need to take pain medication and avoid strenuous activity.

Dr. Karthik Gunasekaran