Perianal Piles

Perianal space piles, commonly known as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins located in the perianal space, which is the area surrounding the anus. This condition can cause discomfort, pain, itching, and bleeding, depending on the severity. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain the anatomy of the perianal region, the different types of piles, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, medications, surgeries, preventions, and when to see a doctor. This article is written in simple language to make it easy to understand, while also enhancing its search engine visibility.

---

Anatomy of the Perianal Space

The perianal space refers to the area immediately surrounding the anus. This region is rich in blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissues, which are crucial for normal bowel functions.

1. Structure

• Skin and Fat Tissue: The outermost layer of the perianal area is covered with skin and fat. This skin is sensitive and prone to irritation.
• Muscles (Sphincters): Two important muscles, the internal and external anal sphincters, control the opening and closing of the anus, allowing for the passage of stool.
  • Internal Sphincter: Involuntary muscle, meaning it works automatically to keep the anus closed.
  • External Sphincter: Voluntary muscle, meaning you have control over it when you defecate.
• Blood Vessels: There are many blood vessels in the perianal area. Hemorrhoids are caused when these blood vessels become swollen or inflamed.

2. Blood Supply

• The perianal space is supplied by several arteries:
  • Superior Rectal Artery
  • Middle Rectal Artery
  • Inferior Rectal Artery
• Veins in the area drain into the portal venous system, which, when under pressure, leads to swollen veins, or piles.

3. Nerve Supply

• The nerves in the perianal area come from the pudendal nerve, which supplies both sensation and motor control to the muscles around the anus.
• Somatic Nerves: These nerves control voluntary muscles, like the external sphincter.
• Autonomic Nerves: These control involuntary muscles, such as the internal sphincter.

---

Types of Piles (Hemorrhoids)

1. Internal Piles: These occur inside the rectum and are usually painless. They may cause bleeding during bowel movements.
2. External Piles: These are under the skin around the anus and can be painful, especially if a blood clot forms.
3. Prolapsed Piles: Internal piles can sometimes push through the anus, becoming visible outside the body.
4. Thrombosed Piles: These occur when blood clots form in external piles, causing severe pain and swelling.

---

Common Causes of Perianal Piles

1. Straining during bowel movements
2. Chronic constipation
3. Chronic diarrhea
4. Pregnancy (increased pressure on the pelvic region)
5. Obesity
6. Low-fiber diet
7. Sitting for long periods
8. Lifting heavy objects regularly
9. Family history of hemorrhoids
10. Aging (weakening of tissue support)
11. Anal intercourse
12. Sedentary lifestyle
13. Dehydration (leading to harder stools)
14. Excessive alcohol consumption
15. Liver disease (increased portal vein pressure)
16. Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease
17. High-stress levels (which can impact digestion)
18. Regular use of laxatives
19. Coughing or sneezing frequently (increased abdominal pressure)
20. Poor bathroom habits (spending too much time on the toilet)

---

Common Symptoms of Piles

1. Itching in the anal area
2. Pain during bowel movements
3. Swelling around the anus
4. Bleeding during or after bowel movements
5. Lumps near the anus
6. Mucus discharge after bowel movements
7. Discomfort while sitting
8. Fecal leakage
9. Sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation
10. Protrusion of internal piles during bowel movements
11. Tenderness near the anus
12. Skin irritation around the anus
13. Constipation or difficulty passing stool
14. Throbbing pain in severe cases
15. Visible blood in stool
16. Feeling of a lump or bump in the anal area
17. Sharp pain in the anal region
18. Fatigue due to ongoing discomfort
19. Difficulty cleaning after bowel movements
20. Increased discomfort during pregnancy

---

Diagnostic Tests for Piles

1. Physical Examination: A doctor will check for external piles and lumps around the anus.
2. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): The doctor inserts a lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities.
3. Anoscopy: A small, lighted tube is inserted into the rectum to view internal piles.
4. Proctoscopy: Similar to anoscopy but allows the doctor to examine the entire rectum.
5. Colonoscopy: A flexible camera is used to check for internal piles or other gastrointestinal issues.
6. Sigmoidoscopy: This test allows for a partial examination of the colon to check for internal piles.
7. CT Scan: Can detect complications or other conditions causing anal discomfort.
8. MRI: Provides detailed images of the anal and rectal region.
9. Ultrasound: Used to detect thrombosed piles.
10. Barium Enema: A contrast substance is injected to help visualize the lower bowel.
11. Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for anemia due to chronic blood loss.
12. Stool Test: Checks for blood in the stool.
13. Endoanal Ultrasound: Gives detailed images of the anal muscles.
14. Defecography: This test examines the mechanics of bowel movements.
15. Manometry: Measures the pressure in the anus and rectum to assess muscle function.
16. Pelvic MRI: Detects complex rectal and perianal conditions.
17. CT Colonography: Virtual colonoscopy for a non-invasive diagnosis.
18. Pelvic Floor Testing: Assesses muscle function around the anus.
19. Blood Clotting Tests: Determines the risk of bleeding during or after surgery.
20. Liver Function Tests: Check if liver disease is contributing to increased blood pressure in veins.

---

Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Piles

1. Sitz baths (warm water baths for the perianal area)
2. Ice packs (to reduce swelling)
3. High-fiber diet (to soften stools)
4. Drink plenty of water
5. Exercise regularly (to improve circulation)
6. Use wet wipes instead of dry toilet paper
7. Avoid straining during bowel movements
8. Wear loose cotton clothing
9. Elevate your legs during bowel movements
10. Yoga (to relieve pressure in the pelvic area)
11. Avoid prolonged sitting
12. Kegel exercises (to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles)
13. Walking after meals (to stimulate digestion)
14. Avoid spicy food
15. Use a footstool when sitting on the toilet
16. Eat smaller, frequent meals
17. Reduce caffeine intake
18. Try squatting instead of sitting on the toilet
19. Avoid lifting heavy objects
20. Massage the perianal area gently
21. Use a soft cushion for sitting
22. Lose weight if necessary
23. Avoid sitting in hot tubs for too long
24. Don’t hold in bowel movements
25. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
26. Avoid alcohol
27. Don’t smoke (smoking can lead to poor circulation)
28. Rest and sleep on your side
29. Elevate your legs while resting
30. Add fiber supplements to your diet

---

Drugs Used to Treat Piles

1. Hydrocortisone cream (reduces itching and inflammation)
2. Lidocaine ointment (numbs the area)
3. Witch hazel pads (natural astringent to reduce swelling)
4. Phenylephrine cream (shrinks swollen tissue)
5. Diosmin (improves vein function)
6. Micronized flavonoids (reduces bleeding)
7. Aloe vera gel (soothes irritation)
8. Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen) (pain relief)
9. Ibuprofen (reduces pain and inflammation)
10. Antibiotics (for infections)
11. Stool softeners (e.g., docusate sodium)
12. Topical nitroglycerin (relieves pain from thrombosed piles)
13. Hemorrhoidal suppositories (relieves discomfort)
14. Oral venotonics (strengthen blood vessels)
15. Steroid creams (reduce inflammation)
16. Proctosedyl ointment (anti-inflammatory)
17. Calamine lotion (for itching)
18. Hemorrhoidal tablets (oral pain relief)
19. Magnesium supplements (to soften stools)
20. Local anesthetic gels (relieve pain temporarily)

---

Common Surgeries for Piles

1. Rubber band ligation: A rubber band is placed around the base of internal piles to cut off blood supply.
2. Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected to shrink the piles.
3. Infrared coagulation: Heat is used to shrink internal piles.
4. Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical removal of piles.
5. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: The piles are stapled back inside the rectum.
6. Laser surgery: A laser is used to remove or shrink piles.
7. Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL): Arteries supplying blood to the piles are tied off.
8. Cryotherapy: Freezing technique used to destroy the piles.
9. Radiofrequency ablation: Uses radio waves to remove piles.
10. Hemorrhoidal thrombectomy: Removal of a blood clot from a thrombosed pile.

---

Tips for Preventing Piles

1. Eat a high-fiber diet
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Avoid prolonged sitting
4. Don’t strain during bowel movements
5. Exercise regularly
6. Maintain a healthy weight
7. Use a footstool when sitting on the toilet
8. Go to the bathroom when you feel the urge
9. Avoid heavy lifting
10. Avoid long periods of standing

---

When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if you experience:

• Persistent bleeding
• Severe pain
• Large or prolapsed piles
• Difficulty passing stool despite treatment
• Signs of infection (e.g., fever, redness)
• Blood clots in the piles
• Symptoms that do not improve with over-the-counter treatments
• Changes in bowel habits or stool consistency
• Unexplained weight loss
• Constant discomfort during sitting or standing

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are piles? Piles are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus that can cause discomfort and bleeding.
2. Are piles and hemorrhoids the same? Yes, both terms refer to the same condition.
3. Can piles go away on their own? Mild piles may resolve on their own, but severe cases may require treatment.
4. What causes piles? Piles are often caused by straining during bowel movements, constipation, pregnancy, and sitting for long periods.
5. Are piles dangerous? Piles are usually not dangerous but can cause discomfort and complications if untreated.
6. What foods should I avoid if I have piles? Avoid low-fiber foods, spicy foods, and alcohol.
7. Is surgery necessary for piles? Surgery is needed only for severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments.
8. Can pregnancy cause piles? Yes, increased pressure on the pelvic area during pregnancy can lead to piles.
9. Can I exercise if I have piles? Yes, but avoid activities that strain the abdominal area.
10. Can piles lead to cancer? Piles do not cause cancer, but any bleeding should be checked by a doctor to rule out other conditions.
11. Are piles contagious? No, piles are not contagious.
12. Can piles recur after treatment? Yes, piles can recur, but lifestyle changes can reduce the risk.
13. Is sitting on a hard surface bad for piles? Yes, it can increase discomfort and irritation.
14. What over-the-counter treatments are available for piles? Creams, ointments, and suppositories are common over-the-counter treatments.
15. How long do piles last? The duration of piles varies; mild cases may last a few days, while severe cases can persist longer.

---

This guide offers a complete overview of perianal piles, from anatomy to treatments and prevention. By following the advice in this article, you can reduce your risk of developing piles and manage symptoms effectively.

 

Authors Information

 

Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical  history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.

 

References