PILES OR HAEMORRHOIDS
1. Introduction:
Piles also known as Haemorrhoids, commonest Ano-rectal disease condition, they are swollen blood vessels in the lower rectum and Anus. Can lead to symptoms such as bleeding, pain, swelling, and discomfort at the anal region.
Haemorrhoids/Piles are called as ARSHAS in Ayurveda, which is considered as one of the ASHTAMAHAGADA because of its disease nature.
2. What is Piles – ARSHAS?
Piles or Haemorrhoids refer to the pathologic presentation of hemorrhoidal venous cushions i.e., swollen veins in the anal region.
Hemorrhoidal venous cushions are normal structure of anorectum and are anatomically present unless pathologic intervention has taken place. Because of their rich vascular supply, highly sensitive location, and tendency to engorge and prolapse, hemorrhoidal venous cushions are common causes of anal pathology.
3. Types of Piles:
. Internal haemorrhoids: Causes painless bleeding
. External haemorrhoids: associated with pain
4. Causes of Piles:
– Sedentary life style
– Chronic constipation
– Low fibre diet
– Prolong sitting
– Straining during bowel movement
– Pregnancy
– Obesity
– Chronic Diarrhoea
– Aging
– Poor Dietary habits
In Ayurveda these factors are considered to weaken the digestive fire, known as Agni leading to formation of AMA causing accumulation of toxins, which is believed to be the root cause of the disease.
5. Symptoms or presentation of Piles/ARSHAS:
Symptoms can range from mildly bothersome, such as pruritic, to quite concerning, such as rectal bleeding.
– Bleeding during bowel movement
– Painful defecation
– Pain and burning sensation in the anal region
– Itching in the anal region
– Swelling or lump at the anal area
– Difficulty in passing stools leading to unsatisfactory bowel evacuation
6. Management of Piles or Arshas
Ayurvedic treatment of piles mainly concentrates on correcting the digestive fire, removing the toxins, balancing the doshas and improving the bowel habits includes
– Usage of herbal medicines
– Local treatments including Kshara sutra, kshara karma etc based on the disease presentation as per the grading.
7. Diet and Life-style advices
Recommended foods:
– Fibre rich fruits and vegetables
– Whole grains
– Warm water
– Buttermilk
– Easily digestible, cooked, freshly prepared food
Foods to avoid:
– Spicy foods
– Junk foods
– Alcohol
– Uncooked food
– Untimely consumption of meal
– Excess fried foods etc
8. Prevention of Piles:
– Lifestyle practices like regular exercise and Yoga help improve digestion and bowel function.
– Eat a balanced wholesome diet
– Drink adequate water
– Maintain healthy digestion
– Avoid constipation – straining during bowel movements
– Avoid prolonged sitting
9. When to see doctor:
– Feeling of mass or swelling or lump at the anal area
– Pain or discomfort at anal region
– Bleeding per anum
– Chronic constipation
