Piles

What are Piles?

Pile is a condition in which the venous cushions found in the lower part of the rectum are swollen and inflamed. They can be either internal and remain inside the rectum, or external and seen around the anus. They are among the most common conditions affecting the rectum and the anal canal.

Is Piles condition a Medical emergency?

Piles are not a medical emergency. However, if there is excessive bleeding that does not stop, or there is dizziness, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Types

Types of Piles can be either:

• Internal Hemorrhoids: Lie within the rectum
• External Hemorrhoids: Present under the skin around the anus
• Thrombosed Hemorrhoids: When there are pooling and clotting of the blood inside external Hemorrhoids

Causes

The exact cause of Hemorrhoids is not fully understood. The venous cushions play an important role in protecting the internal and external anal sphincter and also partly in preventing incontinence. They are made up of blood vessels called sinusoids, smooth muscle, and connective tissue becomes swollen and inflamed when either the venous pressure or the sphincter pressure increases.

Some of the causes for the development of Hemorrhoids are:

• Straining during defecation
• Irregular bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea
• Sitting for an extended period on the toilet bowl
• The diet is low in fiber
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle
• Increased pressure inside the abdomen due to intra-abdominal masses, or ascites
• Anal sex

Risk factors

The risk factors for developing Hemorrhoids include:

• Aging
• Pregnancy
• Sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle
• Higher socioeconomic status
• Lack of erect posture
• Liver disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Spinal cord injury
• Anal sex

Symptoms & signs

Depending on the type of Hemorrhoids the symptoms may be:

• External Hemorrhoids:
  • Itching or discomfort in the region around the anus
  • Swelling around the anus
  • Pain
  • Bleeding
• Internal Hemorrhoids:
  • Painless bleeding while passing stool
  • If the Hemorrhoids protrude out through the anus, they can cause pain, discomfort, and itching.
• Thrombosed Hemorrhoids:
  • A hard mass and swelling around the anus
  • Severe pain
  • Redness and inflammation 

Investigations

Investigations for establishing a diagnosis of Piles are not usually required, but an inspection of the entire colon is advisable. The following may be done:

• Laboratory tests: CBP & ESR to rule out infection and anemia
• Digital rectal examination
• Anoscopy
• Proctoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy: To rule out other conditions of the colon that can cause bleeding

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Piles is established based on medical history and clinical evaluation.

Course & stages

Internal Piles can be graded as follows:

• Grade I - There are only prominent vessels with no prolapse (sliding)
• Grade II - Prolapse upon straining but return spontaneously to the original position
• Grade III - Prolapse upon straining, but needs to be reduced manually
• Grade IV - Prolapse is present and cannot be reduced even manually

Treatment options

Treatment of Piles can include conservative therapy to provide relief from the symptoms, and interventional procedures or surgery may be required in severe cases.

Medical management

Medical management of Hemorrhoids includes:

• Topical steroid creams: To reduce inflammation. Not advisable to use for more than 10 to 14 days.
• Oral analgesics: To provide relief from pain
• Stool softeners
• Topical anesthetics
• Mild astringent: To relieve itching

Interventional including surgery and indications for surgery

Non-surgical interventional procedure for the management of Piles should not be done in the presence of the following:

• HIV infected or immunocompromised individuals.
• Bleeding or clotting disorders
• Irritable bowel disease
• Rectal wall prolapse
• During pregnancy and immediately after delivery
• Anal fissure or infection
• If tumors are present

The interventional procedures include:

• Rubber band ligation: Suitable for grade II & III Piles. Done by placing one or two rubber bands to cut off the blood flow to the Hemorrhoid, so that it withers and falls off
• Coagulation, electrocautery, and electrotherapy: Suitable for grades I, II, and some grade III Piles. Lesser complications than rubber band ligation. Done using either bipolar current or low voltage direct current
• Sclerotherapy and cryotherapy: Usually done for grades I & II. Greater risk of complications and recurrence
• Radioablation: Useful in the management of recurrent Hemorrhoids.
• Laser therapy: Similar effects as other methods, but more expensive with a higher risk of bleeding

Surgical interventions for the management of Piles are only recommended if they are causing problems for the individual, mildly symptomatic Hemorrhoids are managed conservatively, or with nonsurgical interventions.

The surgical intervention is indicated in the following conditions:

• Conservative or non-surgical interventions have failed to provide relief from bleeding, etc.
• Grade III & IV with severe symptoms
• Presence of other conditions of the anorectal canal that require surgical management
• It is preferred by the patient

The surgical procedures include:

• Surgical Hemorrhoidectomy - Laser or Scalpel
• Stapled Hemorrhoid surgery/procedure for prolapsing Hemorrhoids (PPH)
• Doppler-guided transanal Hemorrhoidal dearterialization
• Hemorrhoid artery ligation (HAL) with rectoanal repair (RAR)

Role of diet/ Exercise/ Lifestyle changes/ Preventive measures

Some measures that can be taken for relief from symptoms include:

• Eating a high fiber diet: To soften the stool, and prevent straining
• Sitz bath 2 to 3 times a day: For relief from pain and itching

Some measures to prevent the formation of Hemorrhoids include:

• Eating a high fiber diet and taking fiber supplements
• Avoiding straining while passing stool
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Avoiding sitting for long periods especially on the toilet bowl
• Passing stool as soon as the urge is felt without delaying for too long
• Getting regular exercise

Complications

The complications of Piles include:

• Formation of blood clots
• Secondary infection
• Ulceration
• Incontinence
• Abscess formation
• Strangulation

Complications of surgical procedures may include:

• Stenosis
• Infections
• Bleeding
• Non-healing wounds
• Formation of fistula
• Urinary retention

Prognosis

The prognosis for Piles is generally good and most cases resolve spontaneously or with conservative management. There is a higher chance of recurrence in cases that are managed conservatively or non-surgically when compared to surgically managed cases. Surgical complications occur in less than 5% of the cases.

When to contact the doctor or hospital? / How to identify the emergency or complications?

It is advisable to seek medical advice if there is excessive bleeding, and/or dizziness, or fainting

Indications for hospitalization if required

Hospitalization may be needed if surgical intervention is required for the management of Piles.

Suggested clinical specialist/ Departments to consult for this condition

Piles or Hemorrhoids will be attended to by the departments of surgery, and/or colon and rectal surgery.