GenInv – Health and Wellness

<span style="font-weight: bold;">A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SYMPTOMS OF PILES (Hemorrhoids)</span><br><br>When considering the symptoms of piles we must first look at the word ? piles.  This is common terminology in the United Kingdom for the medical term Haemorrhoids.  In North America and possibly elsewhere in the world Haemorrhoids are spelt Hemorrhoids.  Oh the fascination of the Eng

lish language!<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are piles ?</span><br>  <br>Piles are a simple description for swollen veins within the anal canal or anus.  As stated above the medical term for piles is haemorrhoids, with the<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> haem?</span> part of the term comin

g from Latin and meaning blood related. Compared to arteries veins are weak due to thin walls and hence any excessive pressure can have a detrimental affect on the veins. There are three rectal veins namely superior, middle and inferior rectal veins. Any obstructions or increased pressure in any of these veins can lead to the condition commonly known as piles.<br><br>There are typically two types of piles, namely external and internal piles.  The nature o

f these should be fairly self explanatory! <br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">External Piles:-</span><br><br>These types of piles can be seen outside the anal opening. They are usually black or brown in colour. They are often very painful and irritating due to rich nerve supply in this area.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Internal Piles:-</span><br><br>These are located inside the anal canal and are internal to the anal orifice. They are often covered by a mucous membrane that is either red or purple in colour. These piles tend not to be as painful as external piles.  In some instances individuals can present with both internal and external piles.<br><br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some Causes of Piles:-</span><br><br>The causes of piles are numerous and depend upon many differing circumstances. It is believed that a predisposition to piles could be an inherited factor<br><br>Piles present only in animals that maintain an erect posture. This is mainly due to congestion in the rectal veins and the effect of gravity.<br><br>Piles are common in individuals who suffer from chronic constipation. <br>Poor diet and a liking for certain meats and particularly spicy foods can lead to piles. To counter this it is advisable to include vegetables and plenty of fibre in your diet.<br><br>Some women get piles during pregnancy due to compression of rectal veins by the uterus.<br><br> <br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Symptoms of Piles:-</span><br><br>Pain is associated with external piles which will be worse when straining to produce stools.<br><br>Bleeding from the anus is a common sign of piles.  Indeed bleeding may be profuse in some cases.<br><br>In external piles the swelling can be felt around the anus  <br><br>In case of internal piles initially it can not be felt. When the condition progresses however, the piles protrude during a bowel movement and will go back inside the anus automatically. When the condition becomes worse the protruded piles will not go back in to the anus.<br><br>In some cases there will be discharge of mucus as well as blood with itching around the anal orifice. <br><br>Initially treatment is on the basis of the symptoms of piles. Constipation should be dealt with in the first instance. A chang