Are you suffering from piles? Try this Ayurveda!

 

Ayurveda is the science of life, which follows a holistic approach towards treatment of any problems. Ayurveda treatments are dependent on the balance of ‘Vata, Kapha and Pitta’. Though Ayurveda originated in India, it is practiced worldwide today. It is recognised in the West as an alternative or complementary mode of medicine. The goal in Ayurveda is to balance the three doshas and keep the body in harmony. Piles are a major problem in today’s times due lifestyle and diet. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in and around anus and rectum. They can be internal or external. Often, we wonder about best ayurvedic medicine for piles. Before going into treatment, it is important to know the symptoms of the same, as many times people might not even know that they are suffering from piles and this may aggravate their situation.

How will you know you have piles?

• First and foremost, symptom which most of you will be aware of would-be blood in stool. 
• Intense itching around the anus.
• Discomfort, pain or soreness in the anal region.
• Painful bowel movement.
• Irritation or pain around the anus.
• Lumps protruding from the anal region.
• Swelling in the anal region.
• Faeces may leak out unintentionally.

If you are having any one or more of the following symptoms, then you might be suffering from hemorrhoids. It is better to consult a doctor before undergoing any treatment, be it modern medicine or ayurvedic.

Piles are of two types:

·       Internal piles: the internal swollen piles are found on the interior of the anal region. The rectum is the place inside your body where internal hemorrhoids are found, and so, they are not visible to the naked eye. You may be suffering from internal hemorrhoids if you encounter bleeding via your anus but have no pain. Internal piles might not cause pain so people in India think that they go away on their own. However, you might not feel pain in pain in the initial stages, but when these piles grow larger you might feel itchiness, swelling and pain in and around in your anus.

·       External piles: external piles are located on the external part of the rectum. These piles are painful, visible and not prone to bleeding. Below the skin that surrounds the anus is the place where external hemorrhoids are placed. Many people do not consider it a major problem, but it should be taken care as with time you might feel severe pain and discomfort, resulting in you being irritated and not being comfortable at all. You might find it tough to do simple physical activities as well. 

Piles can be due to constipation as well. if you are someone who has a major constipation issue for quite a long time then you might as well have it due to piles. Internet is filled with searches like how to treat piles and constipation. There are some DO’s that one can follow when trying to prevent constipation instigated piles:

·       Drink lots of fluid and eat plenty of fibre to keep you poo soft.

·       Wipe your bottom with damp towel paper.

·       Take paracetamol is piles hurt.

·       Warm sitz bath or tub bath after bowel movement can help easing the discomfort.

·       Use an icepack wrapped in towel to ease discomfort.

·       Gently push a pile back inside.

·       Keep your bottom clean and dry.

·       Exercise regularly.

·       Cut down on alcohol and caffeine to avoid constipation.

·       Use a good digestive churan or stool softeners to avoid constipation.

Often, we try to find classical ayurvedic medicines for piles. But our lack of knowledge or lack of a good ayurvedic practitioner leads us nowhere. A good practitioner will always guide towards a holistic approach by venturing into the balance of ‘Vata, Kapha, Pitta’ in your body. Depending on these three there could be different types of piles:

·       Vata piles type: Individuals with vata dominance may present with symptoms like constipation and extreme pain. The piles lump is usually blackish, hard and rough in appearance.

·       Pitta piles type: if someone has a dominance of Pitta dosha, then the chances are high that the individual might feel thirsty, could be infected with diarrhoea and fever. But in Pitta dosha dominance, the colour of piles is reddish, you bleed profusely, and piles are soft to touch.

·       Kapha piles type: if you have hemorrhoids with Kapha dominance, your piles might be slimy, with minimal digestive fire, white in colour and giant in size.

When we are aware of our piles type it becomes easier for us and our doctor to treat it in a proper manner. If you have Vata type piles, then you will be looking forward to ayurvedic treatment for dry piles. Most minor hemorrhoids can be treated with medication only. Some treatments that are followed by ayurvedic practitioners are as follows:

·       Kshara (herbal ayurvedic medicine for piles): Kshara is an alkaline paste that is caustic and is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. This paste is made by blending the herb Kshara that acts as a cauterizing agent. It can be applied with the help of an instrument called slit proctoscope. Piles that are open and continuously bleed are chemically cauterized by this paste. In ayurvedic medicine Kshara is considered to be the best method of treatment. Along with this process you may be given some medications to aid in the healing process. Before applying this paste to your hemorrhoids be sure to check for any allergic reactions by applying it to your arm. Wait for 24 hours to see if any reactions are there.

·       Sastra chikitsa (surgical intervention): It is a therapy recommended by your doctor where a special medicated thread is used in Kshara sutra. This thread is used to tie piles off at the base. This will help to shrink the piles for seven to ten days by cutting the blood supply to the veins. After a week or so when blood supply has been stopped, the piles shorten and detaches itself. This surgical treatment is recommended when other ayurvedic treatment and remedies are not working or not showing any improvement. While following this treatment you may have to change your diet, lifestyle, exercise plans and other significant factors that can again cause hemorrhoids. This treatment is effective but comes with risks. If a person is suffering from bleeding disorder or has a heart disease, then you must consult a qualified doctor before undergoing any kind of treatment.

·       Agnikarma or cauterization: Agnikarma is the burning of external hemorrhoids using infrared heat. This treatment can cause some pain as it includes burning of hemorrhoids. In this treatment the patient needs to have 5-6 sittings in a single week, the number of sittings cannot be changed as then the result would also change.

Ayurvedic medicines for piles do not have any side effects and are safe to use. It would be tough to say which medicine is good and which is bad as a medicine which might be effective for some may not show the same result to other. While buying any medicine it would be recommended to consult an ayurvedic practitioner and discuss any allergies or medical condition someone might have.  After that you can follow the advice given by the doctor.