Health

Piles-
A Common Disease

Hemorrhoid is commonly known as piles. It is a small tumour-like enlargement of the portal system at the anus. People suffering from this ailment usually complain of intense burning, pain and sometimes bleeding. This blood is usually bright red in colour.

Hemorrhoid is a common ailment among the people of the sub-continent. Generally, it is caused by the congestion of portal system either inside or outside the anal canal.

Following may be the causative factors for hemorrhoid.

Chronic constipation.

Habit of taking wine, meat, eggs, onion, garlic, pepper, spicy food in large quantity.

Night watching

Heredity

People needing much pressure to evacuate stool and urine.

History of dyspepsia and taking anaema.

Generally there are two types of hemorrhoid

1. External hemorrhoid: It is also known as blind piles. It is covered by skin and it is situated on the external side of the anal canal. It is not so troublesome. Generally bleeding does not occur because of the hard skin covering and also because it is situated on the external side of the anal canal.

2. Internal hemorrhoid: It is commonly known as bleeding piles because it generally causes bleeding. It is situated in the anal canal and is covered by mucus membrane. During passing of hard stool through anus, its weak covering, mucus membrane, are damaged and bleeding results.

Since hemorrhoid is caused by the congestion of portal system, accumulation of blood takes place in the blood vessels of the piles. This causes dilatation of the vessels which easily rupture and start bleeding. Due to pressure in the vessels sometimes blood comes out forcibly.

In acute conditions it also causes pain and burning. During evacuation of stool, often internal dialated vein exits from the anus and causes much trouble to the patient. Whenever it is pressed by the sphincter ani (muscles which controls the mouth of anus and keep it closed other than when stool is discharged) causing profuse bleeding. Due to heavy loss of blood, condition of anaemia arises.

Sometimes patient feels formation of gas in the abdomen and bitter taste in the mouth before bleeding starts. In chronic cases, usually there is no pain and burning and only bleeding is present.

We may be confused about the bleeding of hemorrhoid with the bleeding of cancer and intestinal ailment.

Management: Since hemorrhoid is caused by the congestion of portal system, so to avoid the congestion we should take the following precautionary measures which will either prevent or cure the hemorrhoid.

Constipation should be avoided.

Meat, eggs, spicy food, wine, tea, coffee and night watching should be minimized or avoided.

Prolonged spasmodic cough may cause the piles so it should be prevented or cured immediately.

Homeopathic Treatment:

The following homeopathic remedy may be helpful for the cure of the ailment.

Sulpher 200. It is indicated when the stool is too hard to be evacuated.

Aesculus Hip 200: This is taken if there is pricking sensation at the anus.

Arsenic 2000: It is indicated in the cases of much burning in the anus but is not relieved by application.

If the complain of piles increases in the night then medicines Arsenic alb 200, Colocynth 200, Cuprum ars 30 are indicated.

If the complain increases in the morning, medicines - Nux vomica 200, podophylun 200 are indicated.

If the complain increases in the evening, medicines Alumina 200, Ammon carb 200 are indicated.