The term piles is synonymous for hemorrhoids, and is in common use in the UK. Typically in the US, people tend to refer to hemorrhoids as just that. Whatever the name, piles can be uncomfortable to live with, and are a relatively common occurrence, especially in people over 50, and for many younger folks as well.

Piles or hemorrhoids refer to small swollen veins around the anus and rectum. They can be visible, often looking like tiny bunches of grapes, or they may be located inside the rectum, and felt more than they are seen. There are a number of causes of piles, which include the following:

• Hard bowel movements or constipation
• Pregnancy, labor, and delivery
• Obesity
• Long bouts of diarrhea
• Having to strain to produce bowel movements
• Sitting for long periods of time, especially on toilets
• Some people also seem more prone to piles then others and may inherit genetic likelihood of hemorrhoid occurrence

Symptoms of piles include pain when going to the bathroom and after having a bowel movement. Some people may notice small drops of blood on toilet tissue when they wipe. In very severe cases, a blood clot can form in an exterior pile, causing a stroke. For this reason alone, any suspected case of hemorrhoids requires medical investigation.

Oftentimes piles are diagnosed simply by looking at the anus. A doctor may choose to do an anal examination if exterior hemorrhoids are not present. If you’ve notice blood in your stool or on tissues after bowel movements, this may prompt the doctor to do a colonoscopy or rectal examination with a camera to check for internal bleeding caused by polyps rather than piles. Black stool or extreme gushing of blood may not be caused by hemorrhoids but can be caused by internal bleeding or can indicate intestinal or colon cancer, requiring more immediate testing, especially if blood loss is significant.

Treatment of piles may be home based, and involves changes in behavior in addition to several steps used to reduce discomfort while hemorrhoids are healing. For instance staying hydrated, taking fiber supplements and getting more exercise are recommended for mild cases. People with this condition are advised not to strain when trying to have a bowel movement, and to avoid long periods of sitting. Over the counter hemorrhoid creams, and products like witch hazel may be recommended to help with immediate relief. You can also ice piles, for no longer than 20 minutes at a time, several times a day to help reduce inflammation.

In some cases, piles are large and require removal. There are several techniques used to remove them or reduce them. Most common of these is rubber band ligation, when a doctor places tightened bands around each cluster of inflamed veins to cut off circulation to the veins, causing the veins to die.

A physician can also use infrared light to achieve the same effect in a shorter time period, or a procedure called sclerotherapy, where chemicals are injected into the hemorrhoids to cause them to shrink. Some people continue to have large piles that aren’t resolved. These may be surgically removed in a procedure called a hemorrhoidecotomy.