Dr Subodh Varshney, a noted gastro-intestinal and ano-rectal surgeon talks about piles or haemorrhoids, what causes piles, how to prevent piles and when should one opt for surgery.

What causes piles?

Nowadays, constipation has become common and the main reason is your lifestyle and eating habits. People are leading a sedentary lifestyle, their physical activities have reduced dramatically. Besides, they consume a lot of junk food. When the amount of dietary fibre reduces in your diet, you tend to develop constipation.

Because of constipation you need to put force during bowel movements, which leads to the swelling of the blood vessels present around the anus. And this we called Piles.

What are the symptoms of piles?

There are three major symptoms:

• Bleeding in stools.
• Blood clotting can lead to severe pain.
• When piles grow severe, skin tags are formed. This is known as external piles.

Piles are classified into grades:

• Grade I
• Grade II
• Grade III
• Grade IV

If you take treatment in grade I or grade II of piles then there are high chances that piles can be treated without surgery. However, for grade 3 & 4 piles, surgery is the only treatment. Consult a well known piles doctor in green park to know the current situation of your disease.

How long does it take for people to recover post-surgery?

These days surgery can be done in two ways:

Open surgery – Post an open surgery, patient takes about three weeks to recover. It may be painful as well.

Stapler surgery – In this, a staple gun is used which cuts and stitches the area at the same time and does not allow a sore to be formed. It’s a one day procedure. It ensures quicker recovery.

But you need to avoid constipation post treatment otherwise piles can recur.

How can one avoid constipation?

To avoid constipation, you should eat fibre-rich food such as cucumber, radish and other fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of fluids. You may also try laxatives to ease constipation. Isabgol, also known as psyllium husk, and fruits such as papaya are natural laxative.

What is laser surgery? How effective is it in treating piles?

Laser surgery is a new technology in which the surgeon clots or freezes the three blood columns. But there are some risks involved. First there are chances of sphincters damage, which might lead to loss of control over motion. In case, you penetrate deeper than required, it can cause sepsis. Piles surgery in India is a common surgery but it should be done carefully and with precision.

Do Indian spices cause Piles?

No, Indian spices do not cause piles. In piles or fissure, sores are formed which can lead to itching or redness. In fact, Indian spices reduces constipation and improves the functioning of intestine. One should eat moderate amounts of spices.