Types
On the basis of location, piles is of two types:
Internal piles: Piles located above the opening of the anus
External piles: Piles located outside the edge of the anus
On the basis of severity, piles is divided into four degrees:
First degree- bleed only, no prolapse
Second degree- prolapse but reduce spontaneously
Third degree- prolapse and has to be manually reduced
Fourth degree- permanently prolapsed
Symptoms
The following are the common symptoms of piles:
Bright-red, painless bleeding
Prolapse
Pain only on prolapse
What causes piles?
Diet factors-
1. Having heavy food, cold food, kapha aggravating food, acidic and sweet food
2. Excess intake of black gram
3. Excess consumption of dry meat
All these foods do not contain fiber and may cause constipation, which in turn leads to the protrusion of piles
Lifestyle factors
Sleeing during the day
Lack of exercise
Suppression of the natural urges to defecate
Excessive purgation
These lifestyle factors lead to the dosha imbalances which cause piles.
Cure piles with Ayurveda
Ayurveda helps the person to improve their overall health and lead a healthy life. Treatment for Arsha in Ayurveda has been classified into:
1. Drug therapy
Usage of Ayurvedic herbs and therapies to treat mild form of piles
2. Surgical therapy
Surgical approach to remove large and protruding hemorrhoids.
3. Chemical cauterization
Application of caustic chemical obtained from the ashes of medicinal plants to treat piles that are difficult to treat with other methods.
4. Cauterization
Usage of laser surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery or infrared radiation to treat piles that cannot be treated with medicine or other methods.
Diet plays an important role in the prevention of piles, as piles occurs due to an impairment of the digestive function (Agni). Having a high fiber diet, consuming adequate water, and doing regular exercise or yoga helps in preventing and managing piles.
Ayurveda follows a holistic approach in the treatment of piles. Not only does it help to remove piles, but it also eliminates the pathophysiological process of piles from the grassroot level.