Piles (medically called hemorrhoids) are blood vessels located in the smooth muscles of the walls of the rectum and anus. They are a normal part of the anatomy and are located at the junction where small arteries merge into veins. They are cushioned by smooth muscles and connective tissue and are classified by where they are located in relationship to the pectinate line, the dividing point between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 of the anus.
Swollen veins (hemorrhoids) can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to:
- Straining during bowel movements.
- Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet.
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation.
- Obesity.
- Pregnancy.
- Anal intercourse.
- Low-fiber diet.
Symptoms can vary depending on the size, position and grade of the pile:
- The most common symptom is bleeding after going to the toilet to pass stools.
- A pile can hang down and can be felt outside the back passage.
- Small internal piles are usually painless.
- Larger piles may cause a mucous discharge, some pain, irritation and itch.
- The discharge may irritate the skin around the anus.
A possible complication of piles is the blood supply to the pile has been cut off.
Grading of Piles are as follows
- Grade 1 are small swellings on the inside lining of the anal canal. They cannot be seen or felt from outside the opening of the back passage (anus).
- Grade 2 are larger. They may be partly pushed out from the anus when you go to the toilet, but quickly spring back inside again.
- Grade 3 hang out from the anus when you go to the toilet. You may feel one or more as small, soft lumps that hang from the anus. However, you can push them back inside the anus with a finger.
- Grade 4 permanently hang down from within the anus, and you cannot push them back inside. They sometimes become quite large.
Ayurveda treatment of piles
Ksharakarma:
Kshara karma is a
non-surgical procedure of Ayurveda indicated for the management of piles. In
present day practice, application of Kshara is found to be a safe, efficacious,
and cost-effective method for management of internal haemorrhoids.
A medicine paste derived
from a combination of various herbs is applied to the pile mass with the help of
a special instrument. It causes cauterization
of pile mass, necrosis of tissue followed by fibrosis and adhesion of mucosal,
submucosal coat helps in prevention of further dilatation of veins and prevents
prolapse of regional mucosa of anus. This makes permanent cure of Hemorrhoids.
After main procedure Patient
is asked to attend surgical clinic for anal examination once a week for 4
weeks. Diet and lifestyle guidelines and corrections were suggested to the
patient and patient was expected to follow these guidelines.
Kshara sutra:
Ksharasutra is minimal
invasive ayurvedic para surgical procedure and time tested ayurvedic technique
in treatment of fistula and pilonidal sinus. Kshara Sutra is passed through the
fistulous tract using the minor surgical technique, which gradually cuts and
heals the track of Fistula-in-Ano. It naturally curettes the track and remove
the unhealthy tissue.
It promotes drainage of
discharge or pus from the tract, which helps to clear the infection.
Ultimately, it cures the Fistula-in-Ano. It may take 3 to 4 weeks for proper
healing. Kshara Sutra is replaced with new one after every week.
Advantages of kshara
chikitsa in Ano rectal diseases
1) Can avoid major surgery
2) Avoid hospital stay
3) No adverse effects compared to allopathy
4) Very less recurrence rate
5) Minimum bed rest is required
6) No cutting required hence no bleeding
7) Less expensive than surgery
8) No antibiotic is needed
9) Patient can resume his / her daily routine within 3 to 5
days.