Q

What are piles?

A

'Piles' are swollen blood vessels in the back passage. They may occur inside your, body, in the anal canal, or sometimes be felt outside your anus. In this case they are called prolapsed Piles. As many as one in three of us will experience Piles at some stage in our lives.

Q

How do I know if I have got Piles?

A

Piles is a distressing condition which, at its least, causes itching and discomfort around the back passage and, at its worst, becomes severe condition involving pain and bleeding. You may feel an uncomfortable 'weight' around your anus, or experience discomfort or pain when passing motions. You may find blood on your stools or on your underwear after opening your bowels, and, if your Piles are prolapsed, you will be able to feel them when washing after going to the toilet.

Q

How do you get them?

A

The most usual cause is constipation-pushing hard to passing motions puts a strain on the veins in the anal canal and they will eventually enlarge and become Piles. They are more common in women during pregnancy and after childbirth and there is some evidence to suggest that Piles run in families.

Q

 Is there a way of preventing them in the first place?

A

Try to increase the amount of fibre in your diet -eat more cereals, fruits & Vegetables. The fibre and liquid will add bulk to your stools which helps the waste move through the intestines and results in soft stools which are quick and easy to pass. If you need help in adding fibre to your diet or keeping your weight under control ask your physician for some dietary advice.

Q

What if this doesn't help?

A

Your physician will assess the severity of the condition. If conventional palliative treatments don't clear them up your doctor may recommend surgery.

Q

 I have heard that surgery for piles isn't very pleasant

A

Surgery is an option that doctors have historically hesitated to recommend. It is an unfortunate fact that many patients suffered some severe post-surgery discomfort pain, and had to take considerable time away from work.

Q

Is there an alternative to conventional operation?

A

A new procedure Is available-MIPH

A new procedure is being increasingly recommended by surgeons in a number of hospitals around the country. Many thousands of patients in India and world wide have had their Piles successfully treated using this procedure.
Minimally Invasive Procedure

Called (MIPH) this operation can also be performed as day surgery under a very short general anesthetic (even under a regional anesthetic under certain conditions) and you may go home the same day. Patients who have undergone this operation report that their post­operative pain levels are very low, and say they are able to resume normal activities within very few days of going home.

Q

How long will I have to stay in hospital?

A

 This is your surgeon's decision but it is possible that you may be admitted as a day case and be able to go home on the day of your operation.

Q

What to expect after the operation

A

You will feel slight discomfort at your anal area. In 80% of patients, they should be able to resume normal daily activities almost immediately. A few patients may have discomfort for 3-4 days.

Q

Preventing the return of piles

A

Having got rid of your piles there is a lot you can do to help prevent their recurrence
Do make sure you stick to a high fibre diet and drink lots of liquid- every day
Do not rely on convenience foods
When you pass motions, don't strain. The correct diet should ensure that you pass stools quickly and without discomfort

DO'S

DONT'S

• Have regular eating habits

• Take small quantities of food at more frequent intervals, eat slowly, chew the food well.

• Take fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables and lots of salads.

• Avoid stress, relieve tension by regular exercise, yoga and meditation.
  drinks.

• Avoid hot, spicy and fried fast food.

• Do not smoke, or chew pan, tobacco, gutka, pan masala.

• Restrict strong tea and coffee in-take.

• Avoid alcohol and cold