Piles --

What are piles ?

These are the venous dilatations occurring in relation to the anus (lowermost part of the intestinal tract.)  

What are symptoms of piles?

1. Bleeding at defecation-- this is the most common symptom.
2. Prolapse --- A mass prolapses at defecation. Initially the protrusion is small ; but later increases with passage of time.

What are the stages of piles?

Stage 1) Protrusion is small & occurs only at defecation. The reduction is spontaneous.

Stage 2) Protrusion is bigger; it has to be reduced manually. Once reduced, it remains reduced.

Stage 3) The protrusion occurs during the day, apart from defecation & occurs especially when the patient exerts himself.

What are the complications of untreated piles?

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Strangulation

What is the treatment of piles?

Treatment can be operative or non operative.

Non operative methods include ---

• Injection treatment --- in this method, phenol in almond oil is injected in the pile mass.
• Banding treatment --- in this method, a band is slipped onto the pedicle of the mass.
• Cryosurgery -- in this method, liquid nitrogen is used.
• Photocoagulation

When are the non operative modalities of treatment of piles used?-

The non operative methods are used in early cases of piles.

Advanced cases can only be cured by operative methods.