Haemorrhoids or piles is hardly spoken about as most people are embarrassed by this condition. So, we explore the treatment for haemorrhoids with Dr Subhash Aggarwal, HOD of Department of General, Laparoscopic, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery from Delhi based Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute.
Piles and unhealthy lifestyle:
Diet to prevent haemorrhoids:
One way to reduce the risks of piles is with a healthy diet. Dr Subhash guides you through it, “A major change in one’s lifestyle can be brought about by regulating one’s diet. The diet should include high-fibre foods like wheat flour, kidney beans, salad, vegetables, fruits and also plenty of fluids. Fast food and fried food should be eaten in limited quantities.”
Fitness to prevent haemorrhoids:
“Morning walks and exercises can go a long way in keeping the bowels moving and minimise your chances of getting haemorrhoids because one of the main reasons for developing piles is severe constipation or frequent loose motions,” explains Head of Department of Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Dr Subhash.
Habits to prevent haemorrhoids:
Sleep, diet, fitness and mental health are important to ward off lifestyle diseases. Dr Subhash suggests, “Adequate sleep is important to keep one’s anxiety levels low. Obesity can also be a factor for aggravating this problem.”
“Haemorrhoids are also sometimes referred to as ‘sitting and eating disease’. So, one should always engage in physical activity, especially if one works for long hours.” He further adds, “All the above are preventive measures that one should take to avoid getting piles.”
Piles treatment:
Dr Subhash Aggarwal, HOD of Department of General, Laparoscopic, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery lists out ways to treat piles.
“However, if a person is already suffering from the same, try the following treatments:
Injection treatment: This is recommended to patients who are in Stage I of the disease and are complaining only of bleeding. In this process, 5 percent phenol in almond oil is injected into the anal canal.”
Rubber band ligation:
In this procedure, the haemorrhoid is tied off at its base with rubber bands, which helps in cutting off the blood flow to the haemorrhoid. So, the haemorrhoid dies and falls off in some weeks.
Cryosurgery:
The haemorrhoid tissue is frozen initially and then the necrotic tissue keeps shredding. The treatment is not preferred by many because there is continuous discharge, which makes the whole procedure messy.
Infra red radiation:
Radiation is used to locate the blood vessels and then ligate them.
Ligation and excision of haemorrhoid:
It is a standard procedure. The disadvantage of this procedure is that it is painful and if the haemorrhoids are large enough to occupy the whole of the anal margin, it can lead to anal stenosis and late painful recovery.
Stapler haemorrhoidectomy surgery (Minimal invasive procedure for haemorrhoids):
For advanced cases, this surgery is recommended. In this process, the pile mass is brought together in a compressed form inside the stapler. When the stapler is fired, it cuts and the titanium staples seal simultaneously, causing only minimal bleeding. This is gaining popularity as there is minimal pain associated with the procedure. Also, the recovery process is very quick and one can resume normal work after 48 hours.
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Did you know haemorrhoids develop due to an unhealthy lifestyle? Dr Subhash Aggarwal reiterates this point, “Piles or haemorrhoids mainly occur due to unhealthy lifestyle. So, awareness should be created in order to let people know that one can prevent this lifestyle disease if some lifestyle modifications are made in their otherwise sedentary life.”