HEMORRHOIDS[PILES]
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins found in and around the anus and rectum. They can be either internal or external.
Hemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum, called internal hemorrhoids. They also can develop under the skin around the anus, called external hemorrhoids.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hemorrhoids usually depend on the type of hemorrhoid.
Internal hemorrhoids
- Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You usually can’t see or feel them, and they rarely cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can cause:
- Painless bleeding during bowel movements. You might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet.
- A hemorrhoid to push through the anal opening, called a prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoid. This may result in pain and irritation.
External hemorrhoids
These are under the skin around the anus. Symptoms might include:
- Itching or irritation in the anal region.
- Pain or discomfort.
- Swelling around the anus.
- Bleeding.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids
- Blood can pool in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot, called a thrombus. A thrombosed hemorrhoid can result in:
- Severe pain.
- Swelling.
- Inflammation.
- A hard, discolored lump near the anus.
Causes
- The veins around the anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to:
- Straining during bowel movements.
- Sitting for long periods of time, especially on the toilet.
- Having chronic diarrhea or constipation.
- Being obese.
- Being pregnant.
- Having anal intercourse.
- Eating a low-fiber diet.
Regularly lifting heavy items.
Risk factors
- As people age, the risk of hemorrhoids increases. That’s because the tissues that support the veins in the rectum and anus can weaken and stretch. This also can happen during pregnancy because the baby’s weight puts pressure on the anal region.
Complications
Complications of hemorrhoids are rare but may include:
- Anemia. Rarely, ongoing blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia. Anemia is when there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s cells.
- Strangulated hemorrhoid. When the blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, the hemorrhoid is called strangulated. Strangulated hemorrhoids can cause extreme pain.
- Blood clot. Sometimes a clot can form in a hemorrhoid. This is called a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Although not dangerous, it can be extremely painful and sometimes needs to be drained.
Types of hemorrhoids according to dosha
In Ayurvedic belief, your dominant dosha determines the type of hemorrhoids you may be experiencing:
- People who are pitta might tend to experience inflamed, bleeding hemorrhoids that are soft and red. Other symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and a feeling of thirst.
- People who are vata may experience a high level of pain, constipation, and black hemorrhoids with a rough, hard texture.
- People who are kapha may have poor digestion and hemorrhoids that are slippery, light or white in color, soft, and large in size.
Surgical intervention, or SASTRA CHIKTSA
- Your Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend a therapy called kshara sutra. Kshara sutra uses special medicated thread to tie a hemorrhoid off at the base.
- This cuts off the blood supply to the vein, allowing the hemorrhoid to shrink over the next 7 to 10 days. It will shrivel and detach on its own. This more invasive approach will be considered only when other treatments are not effective.
- Your Ayurvedic practitioner will consider your dosha when it comes to treatment. You might need specific herbs to support postoperative healing. It’s also possible you may need to make some permanent changes in diet, exercise, and other factors to avoid future hemorrhoids.
AGNIKARMA
- External hemorrhoids can be cauterized using infrared heat.
- This kind of therapy might require five to six treatments over the same number of weeks before it makes a difference. Once again, your dosha will be taken into account before treatment. There is potential for increased pain or infection with this procedure.
