How to Tell if You Have Piles and How to Treat Them

Although they can be painful for some people, most of the time haemorrhoids resolve themselves without the need for treatment. However, there are times when they need to be surgically removed, and there are several treatments for them depending on their severity. This information will help you determine when to see a doctor about your haemorrhoids and how to choose from the treatments that are available.

What are Piles?

Piles are haemorrhoids, which are made up of muscle, support tissue, elastic fibres, and blood vessels, which have become inflamed. They occur around and inside the anal canal, but they are usually small enough as not to cause problems. Piles can be caused by straining while defecating or while lifting heavy objects. Individuals with chronic diarrhea or constipation may develop piles, and pregnant women are also prone.

Piles Symptoms

Having haemorrhoids isn’t unusual and it is only when they become swollen and/or irritated that they may cause problems. There are several symptoms associated with piles, including:

• A hard lump on the outside of the anus called a thrombosed external haemorrhoid. The lump is made up of coagulated blood and can be painful.
• Bowels still feeling full even after using the toilet
• Bright red blood appearing after using the toilet
• Itchiness of the anus
• Mucus discharge after emptying bowels
• Pain when passing stools
• Soreness and red appearance of the area surrounding the anus

Haemorrhoids may exist internally or externally without causing too much of an issue, as they generally heal themselves.

Treating Piles

Haemorrhoids which don’t resolve themselves may need to be treated by a doctor if they become too painful, or if internal haemorrhoids push out and do not retract. To prevent getting piles, you should drink plenty of water, make sure to include foods with fibre in your diet, avoid straining when using the toilet, and go to the restroom whenever you feel the urge.

However, if you already have piles, they can be treated with over-the-counter ointments, suppositories, by being banded. Banding cuts off the blood supply from the haemorrhoid, and within a few days, they will die and drop off. This procedure is performed by a surgeon and is usually painless. Depending on their size, if the piles are too large or are not resolving themselves, a doctor may recommend piles surgery in Singapore.

Most of the procedures involve cutting off the blood supply to the piles, which will either shrink them or cause them to die and fall off. However, in some cases, a traditional surgery, called a haemorrhoidectomy may need to be done if banding or other treatments have not worked. The surgery involves removing the piles surgically, and recovery can sometimes be painful while the area heals.

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water can prevent haemorrhoids and help them heal. However, if they don’t resolve on their own after a few days and they feel hard and irritated, you should consult a doctor.