Symptoms & Treatments of Piles

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. They are a relatively common ailment; about half of adults have had them by age 50, according to the Mayo Clinic. Piles have various causes, including excessive straining during a bowel movement and extra pressure on these veins while pregnant. There are two types of piles--internal and external--and your symptoms may vary slightly depending on which type you have. Over-the-counter treatments usually can bring relief from piles.

Internal Piles Symptoms

• Internal piles are located inside the rectum, where they can't be seen or felt until straining or irritation injures the surface of the hemorrhoid and makes it bleed. This bleeding is the most common symptom of piles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, too much straining can push an internal pile through the anal opening and cause general pain, discomfort and irritation. This is called a protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid.

External Piles Symptoms

• External piles are located under the skin in the anus area. If they become irritated they may itch and bleed. Occasionally, blood collects and clots in an external pile, causing extreme pain, swelling and inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic. A tender or painful lump in the anus area and leakage of feces are other possible symptoms of piles.

Treatments

• If your piles are not causing major discomfort, your doctor may recommend treating them with over-the-counter creams, suppositories or pads that contain ingredients like witch hazel or hydrocortisone that ease pain and itching, according to the Mayo Clinic. Soaking in frequent warm baths and applying ice packs to the anus may also provide relief.
  If these treatments don't work, there are minimally invasive options, including rubber band litigation, which causes the piles to fall off within several days; a chemical injection that shrinks the piles; and coagulation, which makes internal piles harden and shrink, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Surgical Options

• If less invasive options fail or you have large piles, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment for your piles. One option, a hemorrhoidectomy, involves the removal of excess tissue that is causing bleeding. This is the most effective way to remove piles but also the way most prone to complications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Another surgical option, stapling, works by blocking blood flow to the hemorrhoid tissue. It typically is less painful and allows for an easier recovery than a hemorrhoidectomy does, but it has a higher chance of piles recurring.

Warning

• Although bleeding during bowel movements often indicates piles, it can also be a symptom of more serious conditions, including colorectal cancer and anal cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your piles symptoms are accompanied by a change in your bowel habits, or if you begin passing black or maroon stools, blood clots or stools mixed with blood, contact your doctor immediately, as these signs could indicate more extensive bleeding in your digestive tract.