Piles Ayurvedic Treatment & Medicines That Works

It's unlikely that we haven't heard about piles at some point in our lives. Piles is a human-specific condition reported for hundreds of years and is the most prevalent out of all anorectal problems for those who haven't heard about it. This condition causes discomfort in and around the anal cavity during bowel movements or while sitting.

There are many treatments available for piles, but here in this blog, we have outlined the best Piles Ayurvedic treatment and medications that will provide you with lasting relief.

 

#DidYouKnow

 

According to estimates, half of the population suffers from haemorrhoids at some point in their lives, most likely by 50. About 5% of the population suffers from haemorrhoids at any given time.

 

Let us now understand what exactly Piles is?

In medical terminology, Haemorrhoids or Piles are defined as inflammation of the hemorrhoidal vein plexus, accompanied by an abnormally displaced, enlarged anal cushion with bleeding in the rectum and some discharge from the anus. Usually caused by straining during excretion, chronic constipation, Diarrhea, or pregnancy, etc. 

For the treatment of haemorrhoids in modern medicine, various procedures are described. Still, surgeons tend to favour hemorrhoidectomy (surgery to remove haemorrhoids) due to its long-term success, but the disease often returns after a while. That is why people prefer Piles Ayurvedic treatment because the medicines effectively cure the disease permanently without any side effects.

 

Ayurveda And Haemorrhoids

Ayurveda describes Haemorrhoids as ARSHA, a disease that consumes the patient's life force (prana) as an enemy. The classics of Ayurveda discuss ARSHA in great detail. Poor diet and lifestyle are believed to cause a reduction or abnormal secretion of digestive fire (Agni), referred to as Mandagni in Ayurveda, which is why Piles. Acharya Sushruta includes this illness in his "Ashta Mahagada", or "Eight Serious Diseases", and explains that ARSHA occurs in the Guda region and is well known for its chronic nature and difficult treatment. This list of serious diseases reinforces how serious ARSHA is but can be treated with the help of Ayurveda.

 

What are the symptoms, types and causes of piles?

Listed below are some of the common signs of Haemorrhoids:

1. Bleeding - A bright red streak on toilet paper adhering to faecal debris(waste discharged from the large intestine) may be the first symptom. Bright red blood may also trickle for a short time after excretion. The bleeding is painless and, in the early stages, occurs during excretion. As it progresses, a steady trickle of blood is observed after excretion; in the later stages, it can even occur without a bowel movement.

 

1. Prolapse - It may develop later in the disease's process. A protruding (bulge) mass may be felt in the anal region when excreting. The mass disappears spontaneously after the act. Eventually, the prolapsed piles mass must be digitally reinserted into the anal canal. At an advanced stage, the patient may notice a protruding mass in the anal region without straining. Sneezing, coughing, walking, lifting weights, and passing flatus cause discomfort to the patient. After some time, the piles prolapse permanently.

 

1. Pain - Pain does not occur with Haemorrhoids without thrombosis (Blood clot) or another complication. It usually occurs when there is the involvement of the external hemorrhoidal plexus, when the skin is stretched, during times of congestion or if there is a severe anal lesion such as fissure or anal abscess.

 

1. Mucopurulent Discharge - The condition is typically associated with permanently prolapsed Haemorrhoids that has softened and peeled away the skin. This mucopurulent discharge is caused by congested mucosa.

 

1. Anaemia - Patients with prolonged Haemorrhoids may develop Anaemia due to persistent and heavy bleeding. They may experience straining, dizziness, pallor, and lethargy when the Anaemia is severe.

 

1. Pruritus Ani - The condition is characterized by an abnormal discharge of mucopurulent fluid in prolapsed Haemorrhoids. It involves itching in the anal area, which gets worse at night or after a bowel movement. Scratching the area causes additional irritation, making the itching worse rather than alleviating it.

 

Types of haemorrhoids in Ayurveda 

1. Vataj - It is usually of external origin, being dry, hard, painful, occurring in various forms, in various colours of fleshy masses, often accompanied by constipation and painful stools.
2. Pittaj - Usually of small size, pale blue-red, and the moist fleshy masses of various kinds often increase in size while straining. Blood in the stool may cause severe discomfort during excretion, resulting in vomiting, fainting, and shock.
3. Kaphaj - Large, oval, smooth, firm, fleshy masses that do not bleed or ulcerate but is accompanied by severe itching and mucus discharge.
4. Raktaja - The excretion of fleshy masses causes critical blood loss, resulting in secondary Anaemia.
5. Sannipataj - Symptoms which combine all doshas.
6. Sahaj - A genetic defect causes it. Patients are usually immuno-compromised, which means they have less ability to fight infections and other diseases.

Common Causes of Piles as per Ayurveda

1. Dietary Factors - One of the factors contributing to constipation is because nutritional neglect, such as an intolerant diet, excessive or insufficient food intake, irregular food intake, and a lack of dietary fibre, affects digestion.

 

1. Habits - The common cause of Haemorrhoids is Vata Dosha affecting behaviour, such as overindulgence in sexual pleasures, repression of natural desires, etc.

 

1. Pressure or irritation of the anal canal - Poor posture, prolonged standing or sitting, horse riding, and contact of hard and rough objects on private parts can aggravate existing pathologies and lead to Haemorrhoids.

 

1. Anatomical factors - The superior hemorrhoidal veins do not have valves and lie unsupported in the loose connective tissue of the rectum. During excretion, the veins are constricted by muscle tissue, resulting in Haemorrhoids.

 

1. Chronic Constipation - Constipation, hard bowel movements, and straining on the toilet caused by repeated pressure on the rectal or anal veins can lead to haemorrhoids. Pressure because of constipation aggravates the haemorrhoids and triggers them.

 

1. Triggering factors include excessive purging, Diarrhea, colitis, dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation of the bowel, overwork in case of stress, chronic cough etc.

 

1. Hereditary - This condition is often seen within a family, usually due to congenital weakness in the vein wall.

 

How is ARSHA /Piles treated in Ayurveda?

Ayurveda proposes a four-fold treatment for piles which helps achieve a complete cure for the disease while also suggesting things to avoid while undergoing treatment. Each of these is explained as follows: the process consists of drugs, alkaline, thermal cauterization (para-surgery), and surgery.

 

1. Bheshaj Chikitsa -  In this measure, different Piles Ayurvedic medicines are prescribed to prevent constipation and improve digestion. Medicines with properties like Antihemorroidal & Antifibrinolytic heal wounds that cure the disease without any side effects.  

• For prevention of constipation (laxatives) - Triphala Churna, Panchsakar Churna, Haritaki Churna etc.

• To improve digestion (Deepan Pachan) - Chitrakadi Vati, Lavan Bhaskar Churna, Agnitundi Vati, etc.

• Antihemorrhoidal Drugs (Arshoghna) - Arshoghni Vati, Soornapak, Arshkuthar Ras, Shigru Guggulu etc.

• Hot sit baths of Tankan Bhasma, Sphatika Bhasma, Triphala Kwath, Panchawl Kwath, etc. 

• Antifibrinolytics (Rakta Stambhak) - Bolbaddha Ras, Bol Parpati, Kukkutandtwak Bhasma, Praval Pisthi etc.

• Wound Healing (E- Vranropak) - Jatyadi tail, Nirgundi tail, etc.

 

1. Kshar karma - It involves treating the body with alkaline solutions. Kshar is an alkaline chemical that is made from the ashes of medicinal plants. It is a milder form of treatment compared to surgery and Agni karma.

 

1. Agni Karma - As an alternative to other surgical or para-surgical measures, direct Agni Karma treatment of any lesion (damage or abnormal change) is better because it destroys diseased tissue completely and can even be applied to lesions that cannot be cured with other means.

 

1. Shastra karma - When ARSHA has pedunculated (a stalk or stem), large structure and affluent forms, Shastra Karma or Surgical treatment is advised. 

 

Recommendations

The best way to treat Piles is to consume healthy food such as cow's milk, butter, buttermilk, wheat, ghee, brown rice, green vegetables, and regular exercise and sufficient sleep. 

It is recommended to avoid spicy food, fried foods, maida, non-vegetarian meals, paneer, constipating foods, inactivity, poor sleeping habits, constant sitting on hard objects, excess riding, and stress during bowel movements.

 

Conclusion 

An ideal lifestyle as described in the Ayurvedic classics can give one a healthy, disease-free life. ARSHA arises due to lifestyle, age, occupation, and dietary habits. There is extreme pain with bleeding in the rectum, so the patient is often scared of excretion. Ayurveda has tremendous potential to manage Piles successfully without complications. You can connect to Ayurvedic consultants online with just one click to get immediate help for your problem like Piles.