Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are swollen veins that develop around the anus or lower rectum, leading to immense discomfort. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (outside the rectum). Piles forming inside the rectum and anus are usually unnoticeable as they do not cause pain or discomfort. However external piles may develop a blood clot on the skin, causing significant pain or discomfort.
If you have been experiencing blood streaks on tissues after a bowel movement, blood in stools, lump sticking out of the anus during bowel movements, itching around the anus area, swelling or soreness, and pain when sitting, get in touch with your doctor for the diagnosis of this condition. Depending on its severity, the doctor will recommend piles surgery.
What are the Common Causes of Piles?
In general, piles develop from increased pressure put in the lower rectum. Listed below are the common causes of the condition.
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting for long periods, especially on the toilet
- Chronic constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Family history of piles
- Obesity
- Pregnancy in women
- Heavy lifting
When is the Time to Consider Piles Surgery?
Piles are not a life-threatening condition and often go away on their own without any treatment. But for some people, the condition may become bothersome. It is advisable to seek medical attention if you have been experiencing constant discomfort and blood while passing stools. If you have been experiencing intense pain in your rectal area, book an appointment with your doctor.
Initially, they will diagnose your condition and prescribe medication and alternative treatment to address the condition. However, if all these methods do not come to your rescue, surgical intervention becomes the last resort. Additionally, the doctor may recommend surgery if the condition is worsening and is characterised by complications like persistent and extreme bleeding, intense pain, and recurrent swelling, all of which start to take a toll on your lifestyle.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the doctor may choose the following surgical methods to treat piles.
Haemorrhoidectomy
It is an invasive surgical procedure performed to remove piles that are large and located externally. Sometimes, this surgery is also used on internal piles that do not heal even after treatment from less invasive methods. This surgery is conducted under general anaesthesia as it may lead to a significant amount of pain.
Stapled Haemerrhoidopexy
Also known as stapling, this method is used to treat internal or external piles that have prolapsed. It works by cutting and removing the anal haemorrhoidal cushions. The staples used in this procedure cut off the blood supply to the piles, causing it to shrink eventually. This method is less painful than traditional piles surgery.
Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty
This is yet another minimally invasive procedure that makes the use of a laser to coagulate the blood flow in haemorrhoids. The procedure is performed by a colorectal surgeon using laser beams that seal off the blood vessels, shrink the haemorrhoids and reduce the risk of bleeding. It is a quick and less invasive procedure lasting 20-30 minutes only.
Why Should Surgery for Piles not be Delayed?
Upon the delay in piles surgery, it may escalate into a more severe condition, leading to the following complications.
- Delaying piles surgery may develop prolapsed haemorrhoids. Internal piles may prolapse when the tissues fall outside the anal opening during a bowel movement. When this condition is left untreated, it increases the chances of trapping outside the anus and causing significant irritation, itching, bleeding, and pain.
- Causing a delay in piles surgery may lead to thrombosed haemorrhoids. It is a condition when a blood clot forms inside the haemorrhoids. It happens when sacs in the anal passage are pushed on the outside of the anus and filled with blood clots.
- There shouldn’t be a delay in piles surgery as it may strangulate the haemorrhoids. It is one of the most common complications. Strangulation is caused when the blood flow to an internal haemorrhoid is restricted. The absence of blood supply may lead to extreme pain and discomfort and also result in a high risk of infection.
- In some patients, delaying piles surgery may lead to anaemia. It is the result of chronic bleeding from internal haemorrhoids. The patient may feel blood squirting or clots passing in the stool. The bleeding may form inside or outside the rectum.
- Infection is another adverse effect of delay in piles surgery. Serious systemic infections take place when proper medical care is not taken for external or prolapsed piles, leading to the spread of infection.
- Delaying piles surgery may also lead to faecal incontinence. Such discomfort affects your quality of life to a great extent.
Takeaway
Management options for piles include advanced to diverse methods, ranging from clinical to surgical procedures. Do not take the symptoms of this condition lightly. See a doctor if the problem persists. When done earlier, piles surgery has a better chance of healing without leading to further complications.
