Piles - VNA Hospital - The Best Urology & Orthopedics Hospital in Delhi, Noida and NCR

VNA Hospitals

A Unit of APAV Healthcare Private Ltd |1, Navjeevan Vihar, Malviya Nagar,New Delhi, India

VNA Hospitals

A Unit of APAV Healthcare Private Ltd
1, Navjeevan Vihar, Malviya Nagar,New Delhi, India

Everything You Need To Know About Piles

Piles or hemorrhoids – though is a very common disease name, not many people prefer talking about it. The internet is full of jokes and memes around piles, but what people fail to understand is that this is just another health condition that needs timely treatment. Failing this, the body can suffer from several unwanted complications in the long run. In this piece of content, we are going to help you with almost everything about piles – what it is, how piles can be treated, who are the best doctors for piles, which are the best places for piles treatment, and a lot more.

Table Of Index

What is Piles?

Piles or hemorrhoids, commonly known as Bawaseer (बवासीर) in Hindi is a very common anorectal condition. Piles are collections of veins and tissues located at the anal area that becomes swollen and inflamed. Piles may develop around the anal skin or inside the rectum. Piles is common in the case of both men and women. If global medical reports are to be believed, one out of every four adults suffers from piles or hemorrhoids at some or other point in their life. Piles is most common in people within the age group of 50-60 years but can affect people of other age groups too. No medical expert to date could ascertain the exact cause of hemorrhoids. However, several risk factors have been identified which can significantly increase an individual’s chances of developing piles. Piles can be managed with home remedies to a certain extent at an initial stage, but when piles grow severe or become advanced, medical intervention is extremely important.

How do piles form?

The condition of piles is formed by constant pressure in the lower rectum. When a person constantly exerts pressure in areas around his rectum and the anus, due to reasons like constipation or lifting heavy weights, the blood vessels around those parts bulge and become swollen, forming piles. Due to constant straining, sometimes the veins might get wider and engorged with more blood than usual. These veins might form into one or more piles.

Types of Piles

External piles

Internal piles

Causes

Constipation

Chronic diarrhea

Lifting heavyweights

Obesity

Pregnancy

Symptoms

Pain and discomfort in the anal area while sitting
Pain while passing a stool
Blood with stool
Itchiness, redness, and swelling near the anus
Painful lump around the anus
Feeling of unclear bowel even after passing stool

Diagnosis

Tests

Self diagnosis

Diagnosis by doctor

Tests

Self diagnosis

Diagnosis by doctor

Severity

Grade I
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV

The piles are generally in minor inflammations and are found outside the anal lining. They are not visible to naked eyes.

They remain outside the anus. While passing stool, they may get pushed out of the anus and return without much ado.

These haemorrhoids are prolapsed and appear outside the anus. They hang out of the rectum but can also be re-inserted easily.

They remain outside the anus and cannot be pushed back easily. They are the most painful in nature.

Risks & Complications

During the surgery
If left untreated

Piles surgical treatment is not a complex one. Hence, the chances of any risks are very rare. But, like any other surgical treatment, the success or risks associated with piles treatment are also highly dependent upon the severity of the condition and the surgeon’s experience. In rare conditions, a patient may suffer any of the following conditions after a piles surgery:

Bleeding – The chances of bleeding during piles surgery is higher in the case of open surgery. In case the surgeon is not experienced enough to precisely remove the inflamed tissues, there are chances that the patient may suffer from bleeding.
Infection – Infections can develop at any point during piles surgery. The chances are higher in rubber band ligation treatment for piles.
Reaction to anesthesia – Many patients report experiencing side effects of anesthesia. Due to the reaction, the patient might feel drowsy and nauseated for a longer time than usual.
Rectal prolapse – According to a report published on ScienceDirect, 12 random clinical trials have indicated that hemorrhoidectomy (hemorrhoid surgery) has an association with long-term risks of rectal prolapse.

The most common possible complication of piles is that they can get strangulated if left untreated for a long time. When piles become strangulated, the blood supply to those tissues is cut off. Due to this, the person might experience venous thrombosis within the piles. This may cause severe pain and even make the treatment complex. In case of piles get strangulated, the person may experience excruciating pain within 48-72 hours which may gradually disappear after a week or so.

Another significant risk that a person may suffer if he or she leaves hemorrhoids untreated is anemia. Piles, when grows, may cause blood loss along with stool. If the problem is not treated in time, the constant blood loss may make the person anemic and that may further give rise to several other health complications.

How to prevent piles?

In the words of Steven Kussin, a gastroenterologist based in New York, “Hemorrhoids are normal features of anatomy. We all have them.” Though people find it extremely discomforting to talk about piles or hemorrhoids, they are actually very common and can happen to anyone. There are no definite ways that can help prevent piles, but the condition can definitely be managed. Adopting the following can surely go a long way in helping you keep the painful anal disorder at bay.

Swear by fiber in your diet

Piles is most common in people who do not consume enough fiber in their regular diet. To prevent piles, one of the easiest and natural ways is to stock up your diet with fiber-rich food. If you want to keep piles at bay, it is crucial to eat at least 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Some foods rich in fiber are:

Whole grains, oatmeal, and brown rice
Beans and lentils
Vegetable and Brussel sprouts
Fruits such as bananas, apples, pears, and berries

Drink sufficient water

Water along with a fiber-rich diet is very important for the prevention of piles. Drinking enough water prevents constipation which in turn decreases the need to strain while passing a bowel movement. If you want to prevent piles or manage your current condition of piles from becoming worse, add 6-8 glasses of water to your system. It will help your digestive system function properly.

Don’t hold the urge to pass stool

If you feel you need to go to the toilet, go, don’t wait. Going to the toilet when the system calls is actually a very simple way to prevent piles. Ignoring nature’s call can have its own complications and repercussions. When your body says you need to go and sit on the toilet seat, go, don’t hold. When you listen to your body calls, preventing piles from becoming worse is much easier and simpler.

Stop sitting on the toilet seat for too long

Don’t spend long hours reading a book or scrolling through the mobile sitting on the toilet seat. The more time you spend sitting on the toilet seat, the more likely you are to strain and make your bowel movements worse. The position of sitting on the toilet seat directly exerts pressure and stress on blood vessels of the anus causing them to protrude.

Stay physically active

Hemorrhoids have a direct relation with physical activities and how you keep your body active. Staying physically active keeps the colon active and functions in a regular manner. But that being said, you should know which physical activity is good for you and which is not. Avoid any activity that puts strain and pressure on your abdominal region. Do not lift weights. Do not sit in one place for long hours. Moderate exercises like walking, jogging, yoga, and swimming can help the piles tissues from flaring.

When to consult a doctor ?

Knowing when to seek professional help for any health condition is extremely important and hemorrhoids are no exception. Getting medical help at the right time can help you avoid unnecessary complications. If you experience any of the following complications or conditions, it is time you check with an anorectal surgeon.

You have excruciating pain and discomfort in your anal and rectum area.
The stool that you pass is dark red, maroon, or tar-like in color. This can be a sign of internal bleeding.
You experience blood in the toilet paper every time you pass bowel movements.
No amount of medications and home remedies are able to provide you relief from your symptoms.
If you feel dizzy and weak due to continuous blood loss along with your stool.

Hernia, Thyroid, Anorectal and Breast Surgery Specialist

Dr Sunil Garg

General Surgeon and Laparoscopic Surgeon

Hernia, Thyroid, Anorectal and Breast
Surgery Specialist

Questions to ask your doctor .

How serious is the condition of my hemorrhoids?

Will home remedies and medicines provide me relief for my condition?

Do I need to undergo surgery for my condition?

How long should I take off from my office if I undergo surgery for piles treatment?

When will I be able to get back to my regular work life after surgery?

Will surgery provide me permanent relief from the pain and discomfort?

How can I prepare for the surgery?

How long will it take me to recover after the surgery?

Will your team help me throughout the treatment and after?

Treatment options & cost

Non-surgical treatment for piles
Home remedies to manage piles
Medicines for piles treatment
Surgical Treatment for Piles

Rubber band ligation – Rubber band ligation is another very commonly practiced less-invasive treatment for piles. The anorectal surgeon places a rubber band around the base of the internal piles. The rubber band cuts off the blood circulation to the piles tissues causing it to shrink and fall off within 5-7 days.
Coagulation – Coagulation or infrared photocoagulation is a medical procedure that is used to treat piles of small and medium sizes. The surgeon uses a beam of infrared light to destroy the piles. The treatment is only used for internal haemorrhoids.

Once you have developed anal fistula, antibiotics or home remedies alone will not cure the condition. You will require surgical intervention to get the condition treated. Surgical options for anal fistula treatment include:

Fistulotomy – In this treatment, the fistula is opened and allowed to heal from inside out. The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. As such, the patient can return home the very same day.

Laser surgery for snal fistula – Laser treatment for the closure of fistula-in-ano is a minimally invasive and low-complication treatment which is considered as the most effective treatment for complex fistulas. The treatment does not cause any severe damage or injury to the sphincter muscles.

There are several medications available that can be used to manage the symptoms of piles.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines – OTC medicines such as painkillers, ointments, and creams can provide relief to the swelling and redness around the anal area.
Corticosteroids – These medications help in reducing pain and swelling in the anal area.
Laxatives – If haemorrhoids are caused due to constipation, you can take laxatives to find relief. Laxatives can aid a person in having an easier bowel movement and reduce pain in the anal area.

1. Hemorrhoidectomy – Hemorrhoidectomy is done to remove the protruded anal tissues that cause bleeding. This procedure is mostly used to treat piles of severe grades. The surgery can be performed under general or local anaesthesia. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a few incisions around the hemorrhoidal tissue. The swollen veins inside the haemorrhoids are tied off to prevent bleeding and then the haemorrhoid is removed.
1. Hemorrhoid stapling – Hemorrhoid stapling procedure disrupts the blood flow to the inflamed tissues. This procedure is mostly used for internal piles. During the procedure, the arterial blood vessels within the piles are cut off which does not allow any further blood flow to the piles vessels. Due to this, with time, the size of the piles reduces and finally shrinks off. The surgery does not inflict much pain and ensures quick recovery of the patient. Complications include chances of recurrence, rectal prolapse.
1. Laser surgery – Laser surgery is considered to be the most advanced and effective treatment for piles. During this procedure, a laser beam is used to burn and shrink the haemorrhoids. The surgeon focuses a narrow beam of light on the anal tissues. The procedure is less invasive, causes no bleeding, and very minimal pain.

How to prepare for piles surgery?
Cost of Piles Surgical Treatment in India
How to recover after piles surgery?

Piles surgery is not a very complicated treatment and as such requires no thorough preparation. But like any other surgery, you need to follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure that your surgery goes well and you recover with no complications. Before your surgery for piles:

Do not eat or drink anything heavy. Take a very light meal, preferably only breakfast.
Do not drink any form of carbonated or caffeinated drinks, just consume clear liquids at least for 5 hours before the surgery.
If you are on any anti-inflammatory, allergy medicines or any blood thinners, the doctor will recommend you to stop it as soon as possible before the treatment.
Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. It will help you heal faster after the surgery.

Cost of piles surgery in Delhi – Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 55,000
Cost of piles surgery in Bangalore – Rs. 43,000 to Rs. 54,000
Cost of piles surgery in Gurgaon – Rs. 43,000 to Rs. 54,000
Cost of piles surgery in Pune – Rs. 41,500 to Rs. 50,000
Cost of piles surgery in Jaipur – Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000
Cost of piles surgery in Bhopal – Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000
Cost of piles surgery in Coimbatore – Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 51,000

The recovery route after piles surgery is usually simple with no major complications. If you diligently follow the doctor’s recommendations and tips, you will not experience any complications.
- Eat a high-fibre diet.
- Avoid lifting heavyweights.
- Use a stool softener that can aid you in having smooth bowel movements.
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day.
- Do not strain while passing a stool.

Insurance coverage

Piles treatment is generally covered under health insurance. Most insurance companies offer a specific amount of coverage for piles and other anorectal diseases. The amount of coverage you have will depend on the policy you buy. One thing you should know is that medical treatment for piles won’t be covered in the insurance policy. Only the expenses of surgical treatment are covered and you also need to be hospitalized for at least 24 hours to file for a claim. You can opt for cashless payment or get reimbursement claims from your insurance providers as well. If your claim is approved, you will be able to cover the entire cost of treatment, including diagnostic tests, medications, hospital stay, bed charges, and other consumables. Some of the best and most popular healthcare insurance providers are Oriental, Religare Health, Manipal Cigna, United India Insurance, Care Health, New India Insurance, Star Health & Allied, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, ICICIA Lombard, Max Bupa Health Insurance.

Recovery Rate

The recovery rate after any surgery depends from individual to individual. The healing capacity of every person is different and hence the timeline of recovery after piles surgery varies for all. In most cases, recovery after open surgery or any form of invasive surgery for piles takes around 2-3 months and complete recovery after laser surgery takes 1 month to 45 days. Recovery after 1 month After piles surgery, for at least 1 month, the patient needs to follow the recovery tips and recommendations by the doctor. It is advisable that the patient refrains from doing anything that puts strain on the surgical site. The patient should not eat anything too oily and spicy and consume only fiber-rich food. The patient should keep the surgical area free of any infection and take regular sitz baths. Recovery after 2 months After 2 months, the patient would experience much relief from the pain at the surgery site. But there might be scars. The scars would take a few more days to heal and disappear completely. The patient might get back to normal work life without any major complications and also resume normal dietary habits. Recovery after 3 months After 3 months, the patient would be free from all post-surgery discomfort. There would be no scars at the surgical site and the wound would be healed completely too.

FAQ

Who is at risk of getting hemorrhoids?

Irrespective of age and gender, any individual can suffer from hemorrhoids. Globally, over half the population suffers from piles by the time they turn 50. Hemorhhoids can equally affect both men and women. But the risk is a bit greater in the case of pregnant women and people over 3 years who do not follow healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.

How to know if it is piles or anal fissures?

Piles is a condition in which the anal tissues get swollen and inflamed and often protrudes out of the anal opening. An anal fissure is a tear that is caused by long periods of hard stool or diarrhea. Both the conditions are associated with common symptoms such as rectal bleeding, anal itching, and painful bowel movements. It can often be confusing to distinguish between the two. The best way to understand whether the condition is piles or fissures, the best way is to consult with an anorectal expert and get a detailed consultation to rule out potential complications.

Can piles put a person at a higher risk of getting colorectal cancer?

Hemorrhoids generally do not increase the risk of anorectal cancer in any person. However, there are cases where people with piles have developed anorectal cancer. According to medical research, 2.3 percent of patients suffering from severe hemorrhoids have developed colorectal piles. But since there are symptoms that can be common in the case of both conditions, it is important to determine whether there is the presence of any cancerous tissues.

Can home remedies provide long-term relief from piles?

Home remedies can only manage the symptoms of piles from getting worse but not provide permanent relief to the condition. At-home remedies like topical ointments, sitz baths provide temporary relief from painful piles symptoms rather than fixing the cause of the disease. The only effective permanent treatment for piles is the surgical removal of the hemorrhoid itself.

Which doctor should I consult for piles treatment?

If you are suffering from piles or any anorectal disease, you can first consult with a general physician. If the general physician finds any major problem in your health condition, the doctor is likely to refer you to an anorectal expert. In that case, you can consult with an experienced and trained colorectal surgeon, proctologist, and anorectal surgeon.

Facts and figures around Piles

Approximately 40,723,288 people in India are reported to have hemorrhoids.
Annually, 1 million new cases of piles are reported in India
Most people with piles in India are between the age groups of 45-65 years.
Anyone can develop hemorrhoids regardless of age, sex [gender], race, body stature, immune system, and overall health condition.
It is estimated that 50-85% of people around the world are suffering from hemorrhoids.
A study found that the incidence of constipation and piles is much more common in Arab countries.

Why Choose Pristyn Care for Piles Surgery?

Pristyn Care is a certified Centre of Excellence for anorectal treatments including diseases like piles, anal fissure, and anal fistula.
Pristyn Care houses some of the top anorectal surgeons of the country who have years of experience in delivering surgical treatment for colorectal diseases with a high success rate.
Pristyn Care is associated with some of the top hospitals across India that are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities required to perform advanced anorectal surgeries.
Proctologists/ General Surgeons working with Pristyn Care do a thorough consultation in the case of every patient to understand the health condition and then determine the treatment method that will work best.
A dedicated ‘care buddy’ is assigned to every patient on the day of the surgery. We strive to make the whole surgical experience for our patients a seamless one. Once you reach the hospital, your dedicated medical attendant or ‘care buddy’ will take care of every paperwork and formality on your behalf.
To ease out the commuting process for our patients, we also provide free cab facilities to bring you from home to the hospital and help you return back home after the surgery.
A free-of-cost follow-up is provided to the patients within the first seven days after the surgery.

Testimonials

Kind words said to us and our colleagues in our journey till now

Some Kind Words

Our Sincere Gratitude

Appreciation from our Patients and their Full Recovery are our Accolades. Here are a few kind words from our patients after they got their treatment/surgery done by Dr Vineet Malhotra and Dr Abhishek Mishra.

Aliya

2022-09-18

So good hospital..Dr Abishek Mishra is Best doktor.. thanks all staff .all is Best'...

Yogesh Singh

2022-08-18

Not only are we sorted without doubt about my wife's hernia treatment we are happy with the charges as well.

vicky gulero

2022-08-16

I was at the bank opposite to VNA hospital when I suffered with an injury due to a fall, the bank guards and some helpful folks got me here, the general surgeon Dr. GARG promt in giving me a treatment for the cut I got.

DIPAK SRIVASTAVA0694

2022-08-16

3star

Mahi Singh

2022-08-16

Very happy with my kidney stone treatment. I got laser RIRS done from him. Very satisfied 😊

Asban Shaikh

2022-08-16

Excellent place for Malviya nagar and south Delhi, we needed such a place which is clean and not cramped. Wonderful staff and polite doctors came for my fracture treatment with dr Abhishek Kumar Mishra who has excellent diagnostic skills with comprehensive support and treatment