Ayurveda Hemorrhoids Treatment
Hemorrhoids or piles are dilated or swollen veins (low pressure blood vessels that return blood to the heart) under the rectum around the anal opening.
They occur frequently in the adult general population. Notably, a considerable number of people with hemorrhoids do not complain about symptoms. Many people have hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. Over 50% of the population, in fact, will experience this condition. The prevalence of hemorrhoids is equal between men and women but men are more likely to seek treatment.
Causes of Hemorrhoids or Piles
- Sitting for long periods of time can start the hemorrhoidic process
- Increased straining during bowel movements caused by constipation or diarrhea may lead to hemorrhoids
- Hypertension, particularly portal hypertension, can also cause hemorrhoids
- Obesity can be a factor by increasing rectal vein pressure. Poor muscle tone or poor posture can result in too much pressure on the rectal veins
- Pregnancy may lead to hypertension and increase strain during bowel movements, so hemorrhoids are often associated with pregnancy
- Cigarette smoking during bowel movements, may worsen hemorrhoids and may lead to severe internal bleeding of veins inside rectum area
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids or Piles
- Bleeding per rectum
- Pain in anal region
- Discharge
- Anal irritation
- Secondary anaemia
Main classification of Piles or Hemorrhoids
They can be classified into internal and 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 opening when they become quite large.
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 inflammation irritates the nearby pain-sensitive skin.
Ayurvedic View of Hemorrhoids Treatments Melbourne Clinic and Piles
Hemorrhoids are described in the name of Arsha. This is caused by low digestive fire, vitiation of all doshas, especially that of Apana vatha. “Apaana vatha” is one of the five types of Vatha and is located in the testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groin, anus and colon. It control functions such as, voiding of urine, normal delivery and excretion of stool etc.
Its vitiation causes accumulation of waste products and varicosity of veins in the rectum etc.. Constant traveling in a sitting posture on a hard seat, chronic constipation and pregnancy are predisposing factors for this vitiation.
- Vatha Arsha (Hemorrhoids having Vatha dominance) Piles are very hard, rough and blackish in colour. They are very painful usually accompanied by constipation
- Pitha Arsha (Hemorrhoids having Pitha dominance) Piles are very soft, reddish in colour, inflamed and bleeding. Thirst, diarrhoea, fever may also be present
- Kaphaja Arsha (Hemorrhoids having Kapha dominance) Piles are whitish, large, soft and slimy with low digestive fire
- Tridoshaja Arsha (Hemorrhoids having Tridosha dominance) Combination of above mentioned symptoms
- Raktha Arsha (Bleeding Piles)
- Sahaja Arsha (Hereditary Piles)
Line of treatment for Hemorrhoids and Piles
Treatment for hemorrhoids (Arsha) should be carried out in four ways with each having its specific indications.
These are:
1. Medical management (Bheshaja chikitsa)
This mode of treatment can cure first degree hemorrhoids. In other degrees of piles it may be used along with other procedures. This treatment is done after assessing dosha predominance.
