Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins around your anus or in your lower rectum.

Causes of Hemorrhoids or PIles :

Precisely why hemorrhoids develop is unknown. The major contributing factor appears to be too much pressure on the veins in the rectum. If the pressure continues, the veins become enlarged and protrude.Common causes and risk factors of hemorrhoids include:

1. Constipation 
2. Diarrhea. 
3. Genetic predisposition (heredity). 
4. Overuse of laxatives.
5. Pregnancy and labor. 
6. Chronic venous insufficiency. 
7. Inflammatory bowel disease. 
8. Portal hypertension. 
9. Aging
10. Excess weight
11. Spending long periods of time on the toilet (like reading).
12. Prolonged sitting or standing
13. Frequent heavy lifting. 
14. Sedentary lifestyle.
15. Lack of fiber.
16. Low daily intake of fluids.
17. Depression
18. Anal intercourse

However, some people will have none of these conditions and still develop hemorrhoids. Humans are prone to hemorrhoids because erect posture puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the anal region.

Types of Hemorrhoids or Piles :

There are several groups of veins that surround the rectum and anus -- one group is known as internal hemorrhoidal veins, and the others are known as external hemorrhoidal veins.

The cause of hemorrhoids is too much pressure on either the internal or external hemorrhoidal veins. The two types of hemorrhoids -- internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids -- are named for the set of hemorrhoidal veins they affect.

The Internal Type of Hemorrhoids -

Internal hemorrhoids occur when there is too much pressure on the internal hemorrhoidal veins. Frequently, the only sign that internal hemorrhoids exist is bright-red blood that appears on the surface of the stool, in the toilet bowl, or on the toilet paper. But, if the pressure and swelling continue, the hemorrhoidal veins may stretch out of shape, sometimes so much that they bulge through the anus to the outside of the body.

Pain is not usually common with internal hemorrhoids, unless a blood clot forms or an infection occurs.

The External Type of Hemorrhoids -

The external hemorrhoidal veins around the anus can also become swollen, causing external hemorrhoids. These swollen veins bleed easily, either from straining or rubbing, and irritation from draining mucus may cause itching in the anal area. If blood clots form in these hemorrhoids, the pain can be severe.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids or Piles :

1. Piles which tend to affect elderly people, often turns out to be a major source of irritation.
2. The one located externally are more painful than the internal ones.
3. The external ones exist as painful inflammation or swelling.
4. Internally located piles can be a source of extreme irritation when they tend to hang out through the anal passage.
5. The ones located internally are susceptible to take on a necrotic form, whereby they develop into clots of blood. Necrotic ones are however quite painful.
6. One of the most common clinical features of piles includes passage of blood along with stool.
7. Along with bleeding itching and irritation may also persist.

Ayurvedic View of Hemorrhoids or Piles and it's Treatment :

In Ayurvedic Texts Hemorrhoids are known as Arsha. In Ayurveda, Hemorrhoidal pain is called as Arsha Shoola, which literally means ‘pain from pricking like needles’. This is indeed how the pain from the hemorrhoids is felt. It is caused due to vitiation of any of the three doshas. It is classified as a digestive disorder; accumulation of waste materials in the rectal area can give rise to piles. The chances of piles are increased by other factors such as sitting on hard seats, chronic constipation and pregnancy.

Since hemorrhoids can be caused due to any of the three doshas, the symptoms are different.

1.  Vata type of Hemorrhoids – These piles are hard and darker in color; almost black. The pain is acute. Constipation is present.
2.  Pitta type of Hemorrhoids – These piles are soft and reddish in color. Bleeding is present. Other symptoms are excessive thirst, fever and diarrhea.
3.  Kapha type of Hemorrhoids – These piles are slimy to the touch. They are large and soft and whitish in color. The person has digestive problems.

Causes of Haemorrhoids or Arsh according to Ayurveda :

According to Ayurveda, the basic cause of Arshas is ‘Agnimandya’ (reduced digestive power) and Malabandha (constipation). When people suffering from constipation ride on rough roads, sit on an uneven surface or even squat for a long time, there are chances of them developing hemorrhoids. Chronic use of very cold water for cleaning, suppressing impending natural urges (like urine, flatus and faeces) or forcefully doing them, causes the vitiation of Apana Vatha (Vatha which is situated below umbilicus) which in turn causes Arshas

Ayurvedic Treatment of Hemorrhoids or Arsh :

Ayurvedic treatment for hemorrhoids has a twofold intention:- (i) to reduce the constipation that is associated with the hemorrhoids and (ii) to relieve the pains of the piles and reduce them.

In order to reduce the constipation, asafetida, fennel and cumin are generally prescribed. There are other dietary elements like ghee, buttermilk and green leafy vegetables which the patient is supposed to take.

Once the constipation is brought under control, methods are employed to reduce the pains of the piles. Application of sandalwood or sesame oil on the piles can help in case of external piles.

Kankayana vati, Arshogni vati and Pranada gutika are medicines of choice if the piles are caused due to a vata constitution. If the hemorrhoids are due to a pitta constitution, then Avipattikara choorna is prescribed. For bleeding piles, Kutajavaleha taken in a quantity of 1 teaspoon twice a day is beneficial.

Herbs and Herbal Formulations to treat Hemorrhoids or Arshas are :

1. Sanjivani Vati
2. Kachnaar Guggul
3. Chandraprabha Vati
4. Vara Churna
5. Nirgundi Oil
6. Kankayana Gutika
7. Drakshasava
8. Avipattikara Churna
9. Hapushadi Ghrita
10. Triphala Guggulu
11. Bhallataka Lehya
12. Arshakutar Ras
13. Abhayarishta
14. Takrarishta

Following Home remedies have proven efficacies -

1. Drink plenty of water, more than your normal intakes. Make a habit of taking 2-4 glass of water immediately after getting up from the bed empty stomach.
2. Eat plenty of figs as and when possible during the day. It has a proven history of a good home remedy for piles.
3. Use of Radish, banana, Flaxseed and Aloe Vera are very good in cases of piles.
4. Use warm fomentation or lukewarm water to ease the pain in the areas.
5. You can use turmeric paste mixed with coconut oil which acts well in drying up the Piles swelling.
6. Use of Haritaki and Jimikand also helps a lot in curing the symptomatic conditions.
7. Apply sesame oil externally.

Ayurvedic herbal treatments are proved to be very effective to cure Hemorrhoids or Piles; for expert opinion about your condition, you can contact Dr. Sandeep Kumar and Dr. Anupam Vasudeva at Life Line Ayurvedic Herbal clinic, Adelaide.