Best Piles Doctors in India

Piles Treatment in India

What are piles?

Piles are inflamed collections of tissue in the anal area. Piles appear in the lowermost part of the anus and can cause significant pain and discomfort. Piles that can be felt bulging near the anal opening are known as external piles. On the other hand, piles on the inner part of the anus that cannot be felt are termed internal piles.

Types of piles

Internal piles

As the name suggests, piles that grow internally and cannot be seen are known as internal piles. They are more like protrusions inside the anus, on the walls of the anal canal. Internal piles are classified into four grades:

• Grade 1 - Piles are small swellings inside the lining of the anus. They are not visible externally. They may bleed but do not protrude through the anus.
• Grade 2 - Piles in Grade 2 are larger, and they extend inside the anus and may protrude when passing a stool but soon return inside the anus.
• Grade 3 - Piles in Grade 3 are known as prolapsed piles. They arise outside the anus and can be pushed back by pressing with the finger.
• Grade 4 - Piles cannot be pushed back and remain outside the anus constantly. They are large and generally need surgical treatment for their correction.

External piles

External piles are lumps on the outer region of the anal area. External piles can be felt by the patient or visible to the patient or a doctor. You may also feel these as water-filled swellings around the anal opening. With external piles, you can experience symptoms like anal itching, one or more hard and tender lumps near the anus, and pain near the anal area, primarily while sitting.

What are the causes of piles?

Several factors are responsible for the development of piles. Piles occur due to weakness of the tissues that support the blood vessels in the anal area and are commonly associated with the following:

• Heredity - Piles can be hereditary due to congenital weakness of the vein walls.
• Sitting posture - Sitting for extended hours can predispose to piles.
• Lifting heavy weights regularly.
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea - Straining by constipation and over-purgation can cause piles. 
• Pregnancy - Piles are common among pregnant women. The pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, causes the pile's vessels to enlarge.
• Diseases like liver cirrhosis.
• Obesity.
• Improper diet- Eating junk food and a diet lacking in fiber contribute to piles.
• Persistent cough and sneeze.
• An obstruction or abnormal growth on the way to the anal canal

How Are Piles Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose piles by enquiring about the patient’s symptoms and clinical history and by conducting a physical examination. During the physical examination, the anal area is examined for any bulging piles through the anal orifice. 

A rectal examination can also be performed to diagnose piles. During the rectal examination, the patient lies on his left side with knees folded onto the chest. The doctor inserts a gloved finger through the anal orifice and inspects the walls of the rectum and anus for swellings and other abnormalities. 

Anoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy is done to visualize the rectum and anus further and rule out causes of rectal bleeding other than piles. In this procedure, the surgeon inserts a tube into the rectum through the anus and examines the region using a light. In addition, blood tests such as hemoglobin, complete blood counts, blood coagulation studies, and liver function tests are also conducted as additional tests.

What Are The Various Options To Treat Piles?

Doctor's treatment plan for piles depends on the severity of the symptoms. Some of the ways to treat piles include:

Nonsurgical treatments for piles

Piles will usually go away on their own, but if they don’t, you might require a medical procedure to deal with the issue. Non-surgical options to treat piles include:

• Rubber band ligation. In this procedure, the doctor will put a small elastic band around the piles, which will decrease the blood supply. The piles will either shrink or fall off.
• Sclerotherapy. The doctor will inject an oily solution into the piles, which will make them shrivel up.
• Infra-red coagulation. The doctor will apply infrared light to certain regions of the piles, which will cut the blood supply to the piles and make them shrink.
• Bipolar diathermy and direct current electrotherapy treatment. The doctor will use an electrical current to destroy the piles during this process.

Surgery for piles

Surgery is the most effective method to treat piles. It is used to relieve symptoms of piles and when other treatments haven’t worked or the piles keep bleeding. There are various types of surgery for piles, which include the following.

• Hemorrhoidectomy – A hemorrhoidectomy is surgery to remove internal or external piles that are extensive or severe. Hemorrhoidectomy can be of two kinds- Open hemorrhoidectomy and close hemorrhoidectomy. Under close hemorrhoidectomy, the hemorrhoidal tissue is excised, and the wound is stitched closed with the help of absorbable sutures that will not have to be removed later.  
• Open hemorrhoidectomies are not performed as commonly as closed procedures. During an open hemorrhoidectomy, the incision is not stitched closed. However, in some possibilities, it may be temporarily packed with gauze, which will be removed within the first 24 hours.
• Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy – In this surgery, the surgeon will attach the tissue area with piles higher up the anal canal and staple it. The piles won’t come out of your anus anymore and will shrink.
• Hemorrhoidal artery ligation operation (known as HALO) - During this procedure, arteries in the anal canal are closed to restrict the blood supply to the piles. Sometimes an ultrasound probe will be used to help locate the arteries and guide the surgeon during the procedure.
• Laser surgery - In this procedure, a laser will be inserted into the anal canal to eliminate the terminal branches of superior and inflamed piles arteries. The patient will have no surgical incision scar on the anus in this surgery.

Best Surgical Treatment For Piles in India

Laser surgery is one of the safest and most advanced surgeries to treat piles. It uses high-energy light to cut or burn the affected tissue during surgical procedures. Since laser surgery is a precise procedure, it leaves no impact on the surrounding tissues and the anal sphincters. Some of the benefits that make laser surgery the best treatment for piles include the following:

• No necessity for general anesthesia
• Lesser pain than any other surgical procedure
• No requirement for a hospital stay
• Safer treatment option
• Lesser bleeding during the procedure
• Quicker healing
• Shorter recovery period
• No open wounds, cuts, or sutures
• Quicker return to everyday activities
• Shorter duration to complete the procedure
• Better success rate
• Fewer follow-up visits
• No or less risk of post-surgical infections
• Lower risk of recurrence of piles

What are the ways to prevent piles?

Some of the ways to prevent the occurrence of piles and reduce the intensity of the condition are :

• Consuming a high-fiber diet that contains fruits (pears, bananas, apples, raspberries), legumes(lentils, black beans, lima beans), vegetables (green peas, broccoli, brussels sprouts), and whole grains(oatmeal, barley, brown rice). Doctors recommend a total daily fiber consumption of 20-38 grams in both men and women.
• Drinking adequate water ( 6-8 glasses of water) and fluids.
• Practicing good bowel habits, like going to the toilet when the urge for defecation appears.
• Regular exercise and weight loss 
• Avoid straining while passing stools.
• Avoid prolonged hours of sitting, especially on a toilet, and prolonged squatting posture. 
• Supplemental fibers (Methylcellulose and psyllium) can be used to increase the fiber intake in the body.
• Occasionally stool softeners can be used to easily pass stools without straining.

How To Find The Best Doctor For Piles Treatment In India?

A proctologist or colorectal surgeon is a specialist medical doctor trained in the branch of medicine dealing with the diseases of the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon. Thus, a proctologist can easily and effectively diagnose and treat piles. Here are some things you need to consider before selecting your doctor for piles treatment in India: 

Educational requirements

It is important for a proctologist to earn a bachelor's degree and qualify for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). After qualifying for MCAT, it is crucial to get admission to medical school and graduate with a medical degree. After graduation from medical college, it is necessary for a proctologist to get a Medical Doctor or M.D. degree. 8 years of education and training are required to become a proctologist. For a potential proctologist, training sessions through residencies and fellowships are also required. 

Consider The Proctologist's Experience

When selecting a proctologist for your pile's treatment in India, considering their experience is essential. A well-experienced proctologist will ensure that the procedure chosen to treat piles is suitable and yields the desired result. In addition, it is essential to know how long your doctor has been in practice and how many successful cases of piles they have performed. 

Uncover professional reprimands

Knowing if your doctor has been sanctioned by a professional licensing board should be an essential part of your search. 

Skills and Qualities

Some of the skills and qualities that a proctologist is expected to possess include:

• Risk management and an ability to deal effectively with problems
• Ability to take responsibility for your own actions
• Effective communication, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• Teamwork
• Resilience and the ability to deal with complex situations
• Empathy and the ability to care for others
• Genuine interest in the medical profession
• Problem-solving

Track Record

In most areas, you can contact the medical licensing authority and ask to run a search for any disciplinary cases taken against your doctor. In addition, if you know anyone who is a patient of that doctor, ask them for their honest opinion of the care and attention they are receiving.

What Are The Qualifications Of Medical Specialists Who Can Treat Piles?

Qualifications of medical specialists who can treat piles include:

• MBBS
• Fellowship in gastroenterology
• MD – Colorectal surgery
• FRCS – General surgery [Colorectal]
• FRCP – Gastroenterology
• MS – General surgery
• DNB – General surgery
• Diplomate in the colon and rectal surgery
• FRCS – General surgery
• DNB – Surgical gastroenterology

When to consult a doctor for piles treatment?

When you start to see that blood stains or blood is coming along with the stool during a bowel movement or when you have already been suffering from piles for over a week, and it did not improve after you have tried home remedies, you should consult with a proctologist at your nearest piles hostpital as soon as possible. In addition, you should contact a medical professional for immediate help when you see that you are having large amounts of rectal bleeding, faintness, lightheadedness, etc.