Introduction to Piles (Arsha)

Piles or hemorrhoids had captured half a population of UK . It is more common in pregnant women. It can be occurred at any age mid-tin onwards. The myth for the piles is they are abnormal. However they are present in everyone but when the hemorrhoidal cushions gets protruded and come out cause problems and this is considered as abnormality or the diseased condition

Go To Top

Definition of Piles (Arsha)

Hemorrhoids are dilated or swollen veins (low pressure blood vessels that return blood to the heart) under the rectum around the anal opening. The perfect definition of hemorrhoids does not exist, but they can be narrated as clumps or masses, those are nothing but cushions of tissue within the anal canal containing blood vessels. Their supporting tissues and surroundings are made up of elastic fibers and muscles.

The length of the anal canal is about centimeters. The stools are passed through it from the rectum to its exit to the world. The anus is the one of the bodily opening according to the Ayurveda.

Although most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, they are present in everyone. It is only when the hemorrhoidal cushions enlarge that hemorrhoids can cause problems and be considered abnormal or a disease.

Piles, swellings of grape or pea size having pink or blue color.

Prevalence of hemorrhoids

There is no fix age or gender to whom, piles can trouble more. But they occur more in the age of 40-65. Men and women are equally sufferer. The people with sitting work (like drivers) are more susceptible to have hemorrhoids.

Anatomy of hemorrhoids

The anal region is highly supplied by blood vessels. The arteries that supply the blood to anal region descend into the anal canal from the rectum forming a rich network and net like structure. The hemorrhoids are rich in blood supply and hence the bleeding from it is usually bright red (arterial blood) compare to the dark red which could be of venous blood.

The positions of the hemorrhoids are described in the clock wise directions. Piles are located and narrated as per their positions like 3 o’clock position, 7 o’clock positions etc..

Go To Top

Types of Piles (Arsha)

Classified into two types, (1) Internal, (2) External hemorrhoids.

There is a dentate line in the anal canal, which separates two types of anal skin. While the skin above the dentate line is not sensitive to pain, the skin below this line is quite sensitive to pain.

Internal hemorrhoids occur above the dentate line and are, therefore, usually painless. They can cause bleeding or they may push out of (prolapsed) the anal canal opening when they become quite large.

Internal hemorrhoids are again divided into 4 degrees or grades. Those are,

Grade 1 or First degree

Cannot be seen or felt from the outside. Small swelling is on the inner lining of anus.

Grade 2 or Second degree

Can say prolapse, mean it is, seen outside the anus, whenever you go to toilet. But afterwards, it returns back. These are larger in size.

Grade 3 or Third degree

These are similar to third degree one, but do not returns, has to push inside with finger.

Grade 4 or Fourth degree

These cannot be pushed back inside, are permanently hanged out from the anus.

External hemorrhoids occur below the dentate line and are generally painful. External hemorrhoids can become very distressing when the blood in the hemorrhoid clots and the inflammation irritates the nearby pain sensitive skin. These are less common than the internal one.

Go To Top

Symptoms Piles (Arsha)

Rectal bleeding, pain and/or itching, painful bowel movements- specially with straining, a lump that can be felt in the anus, and sometimes- mucous discharge after bowel movement.

Piles are common and most people have some bleeding from them once in a while.Though disturbing and discomforting, hemorrhoids are never a serious health problem.

Still the reasons to seek medical treatment for hemorrhoids include: the presence of a painful blood clot in the hemorrhoid, excessive blood loss, infection and the need to rule the cancer of the rectum or colon.

Go To Top

Causes of Piles (Arsha)

• Common cause is straining during defecation when constipated.
• Family history of piles.
• In pregnancy, due to increased blood flow, weight of baby.
• People having varicose veins.
• Like pregnancy, any growth or cancer in the bowel or pelvis.
• People having chronic diarrhea.

Go To Top

Prevention for Piles (Arsha)

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids, at least 10 glasses a day. Eat foods, which are good sources of fibre, such as whole grain or bran, cereals breads, fresh vegetables and fruits, and, if necessary, add bran to your foods (about 3-4 tablespoonful per day). This will make the passing of stools easy.
• Pass the bowel as soon as you feel the urge. Don’t strain yourself to have a bowel movement.
• Lose weight if you are over weight.
• Keep the anal canal clean.
• Take warm baths.
• Don’t sit too much on a hard surface; it can restrict blood flow around the anal area.

Go To Top

Ayurvedic treatment for Piles (Arsha)

• With a cotton swab apply on anus, any one of the following preparations before going to bed:
• Half-a-teaspoon mustard powder with a tablespoon of honey.
• Half-a-teaspoon of turmeric with a tablespoon of mustard oil, papaya juice, aloe Vera gel or juice.
• Kaaseessaadi taila, when applied externally, shrinks the pikes and cures itching in the anal region.
• Peel a clove of garlic and insert it in the rectum. Put in a fresh clove at bed-time, pushing it up high, to make sure it stays in overnight.
• The hot poultice of dry radish is very good in non-bleeding piles.
• For painful and protruding piles, you can use the ointment prepared out of turmeric, the leaves of Indian hemp and onion with hot sesame oil.
• Cooked carrots eaten with whey checks bleeding from piles.
• An oral mixture containing 10 grams of pulp of ripe Bael fruit, 3 grams of sugar, powder of 7 black peppers and 13 cardamoms is very efficacious in checking bleeding from piles.
• To stop bleeding from piles, you can take Naagakesar and black sesame seeds, owdered and mixed with fresh ghee or butter.
• Burn the outer covering of seeds of Reetha, and take it orally with honey.
• Abhayarishta, a liquid preparation, should b taken in the dose of 30 ml in equal quantity of lukewarm water before going to bed to control constipation and piles. Nityodit Ras 250 mg and Arsha kuthaar ras 250 mg along with honey thrice daily are also effective.