A person in their whole span of life may have an experience of toilet seat getting spilled with blood while passing stool. There may be multiple reasons for the scenario, but one such condition is Hemorrhoids. Even WHO declared 20th November as “World Piles day “ which indicates infiltration of this condition globally.
Hemorrhoids are also called ‘PILES ‘.The word is derived from a latin word Pila which means a ball.It is a condition where painless passing of stool is followed by spill of blood like a splash on toilet seat. This happens when the swollen veins in anal canal tend to rupture while passing stool. Hemorrhoids can be observed at any age, most particularly it is seen in elderly age group and is one of the most prevalent ailments showing significant impact on the quality of life.
Structure of Anal canal :
The anal canal is the end part of large intestine measuring 3.8cm in length extending from end of the rectum to anal verge. It is divided into 3 parts.
1. Upper part lined with more mucous layer 2. Middle part 3. Lower part lined by true skin containing sweat glands .
All the parts are abundantly supplied with large blood vessels (arteries and veins). The veins in all the parts are situated at 3 ,7 and 11 o’clock positions that constitute potential sites for formation of hemorrhoids.
The causative factors for formation of hemorrhoids varies from person to person. Irregular bowel habits associated with chronic constipation, long standings or sedentary life style, lifting heavy weights , more intake of spicy foods, improper toilet seating ,constant straining while passing stool, regular long distance travelling, lowfiberdiet, dehydration ,weak blood vessel walls and genetic predisposition also can cause hemorrhoids. In pregnancy due to prolonged weight bearing conditions and constipation can lead to haemorrhoids.
Types of Hemorrhoids :
Hemorrhoids mainly are of two kinds. Internal and External depending on the site of hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids present within the anal canal are internal and the hemorrhoids which can be felt to palms while passing the stool are external . Depending on stage of the propalse of hemorrhoids they are 1st ,2nd ,3rd ,4th degrees.The hemorrhoids which bleed but do not come outside the anal canal comes under 1st degree, which comes out while passing stool and goes in spontaneously are 2nd degree, when it cannot goes in by itself but has to done manually are under 3rd degree, hemorrhoids which are out completely are 4th degree.
Arshas in Ayurveda :
Ayurveda discussed Hemorrhoids ages back in their classical texts under the name ‘ARSHAS’. It is placed under 8 main grave diseases in Ayurveda as ‘ASHTAMAHAGADAS ‘ as they are difficult to manage and troubles the person immensely. Regular intake of sour and pungent foods, irregular dietary habits, excessive consumption of alcohol , prolonged exposure to extreme climatic conditions, imbalances the agni (digestive fire) and all three humours (vata , pitta, kapha) which altogether further vitiate Dhatus (tissue component of body) Twak (skin), Mamsa (muscle tissue ), meda (adipose tissue ) and cause muscle mass kind of swelling at anal canal called Arshas.
Management of Hemorrhoids at Ayur healthcare :
The primary management of Hemorrhoids includes a proper lifestyle that ceases causative factors by preventing constipation through herbs having laxative properties like Triphalachurna, isabgol husk powder, etc.
Improvement of digestive fire is achieved through herbs like chitraka (plumbago zeylanica), Ginger, cinnamon , pepper corn etc. Herbs which shrinks the hemorrhoid mass at anal canal are recommended by our experienced hands of Ayurveda according to age, and chronicity of the condition.
All the tips for lifestyle management and guidelines of treatment will be well explained by our expert Ayurvedic practitioners at Ayur Healthcare
