Ayurvedic Management Of Hemorrhoids Or Piles

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids also known as piles are nowadays common among both men and women. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that form inside and outside the anus and rectum. They are similar to varicose veins. Piles are itchy, painful, and pose a lot of discomfort to the patient, and often bleed and are termed as bleeding piles. It occurs due to inappropriate food habits such as taking a lot of junk, spices, intake of processed food, weight lifting exercises, hot climate, oily and fried food, etc. Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods on the toilet, having chronic diarrhea, or constipation.

In Ayurveda, hemorrhoids are known as Arsha. It is caused by the imbalance of three doshas-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Imbalanced Vata leads the bowel contents to get dried and hinders the proper bowel movement causing constipation along with painful hemorrhoids. An imbalance in Pitta Dosha can cause excessive diarrhea, excessive thirst, and inflamed hemorrhoids that bleed. An imbalance in the Kapha Dosha can cause light hemorrhoids. So to cure Piles it is very important to bring all the three doshas in balance.

According to Ayurveda, to treat piles the first and foremost importance is given to the digestive system of the body. Good and proper digestion is based on the strength of Agni or digestive fire. Neglect of proper diet and lifestyle habits ends in reducing digestive fire (Agni) or making it abnormal. So Ayurveda suggested that people should consume their heaviest meal at noon and keep their dinner and other meals lighter. So to cure Piles Ayurveda aims to balance each dosha through a combination of diet, lifestyle modifications, and herbal remedies.

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Types Of Hemorrhoids

There are two types of hemorrhoids depending on their position:

• Internal hemorrhoids

  These occur inside the rectum. Internal hemorrhoids may bleed, but they usually aren’t painful. They can cause bleeding or they may push out of the anal opening when they become quite large.

• External hemorrhoids

  External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus. They are the most uncomfortable because the overlying skin becomes irritated and erodes. Symptoms include itching or irritation in your anal region, pain or discomfort, swelling around your anus, and bleeding.

Depending on their position Hemorrhoids are classified into two types. They are Internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids.

Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

Some symptoms of hemorrhoids or piles include:

• Intense itching around the anus.
• Painful or itchy swelling or lump near your anus.
• Painful bowel movements.
• Bleeding from your anus during or after bowel movements.
• Irritation and pain around the anus.
• Leakage of stool.

Causes Of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can cause due to increased pressure in the lower rectum due to:

• Straining during bowel movements.
• Sitting for long periods on the toilet.
• Having chronic diarrhea or constipation.
• Being obese.
• Being pregnant.
• Having anal intercourse.
• Eating a low-fiber diet.
• Regular heavy lifting.

Ayurvedic Management Of Hemorrhoids

Ayurveda prescribes the following methods to treat Hemorrhoids:

• Bheshaja chikitsa

  Ayurveda advocates this mode of treatment to cure first-degree hemorrhoids. The treatment is done after assessing the dosha predominance.

• Sastra chikitsa

  It is the application of Kshara-sutra Therapy. Kshar Sutra is an ayurvedic para surgical treatment used to help manage hemorrhoids. Kshara sutra uses a special medicated thread to tie hemorrhoids off at the base. This cuts off the blood supply to the vein, allowing hemorrhoids to shrink over the next 7 to 10 days. It will shrivel and detach on its own.

• Application of Ayurvedic Kshara

  It is an Ayurvedic non-surgical procedure used to treat hemorrhoids. A special slit proctoscope is used to apply alkaline nature medicine made from a combination of various herbs to the pile mass. It's a form of chemical cauterization. The application of Kshara is the most effective method for treating hemorrhoids or piles.

• Agnikarma

  Agnikarma is the application of heat directly or indirectly to the affected part by using different materials. It is a suitable procedure in the excision of sentinel piles and anal warts falling in the Vata Kaphaja type of Arsha.

The main Ayurvedic treatment to cure hemorrhoids or piles is Bheshaja chikitsa, Sastra chikitsa, Application of Ayurvedic Kshara, and Agnikarma.

Preventive Methods To Cure Hemorrhoids

To prevent hemorrhoids and reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids, follow these tips:

• Include high fiber content foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
• The best way to avoid hemorrhoids is to keep your stools soft and easy to pass. Drink six to eight glasses of water per day to keep stools soft.
• Avoid straining. Straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum.
• If you wait to pass a bowel movement and the urge goes away, your stool could dry out and be harder to pass.
• Stay physically active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins, which can occur with long periods of standing or sitting. Exercise can also help you lose excess weight that might be contributing to your hemorrhoids.
• Sitting too long, particularly on the toilet, can increase the pressure on the veins in the anus. So it is better to avoid long periods of sitting.

Do’s And Don’ts In Ayurveda For Hemorrhoids Or Piles

Do’s

• Consume adequate fibers in the diet.
• Exercise regularly. Walking is one of the best things.
• Train yourself for regular food intake for lunch and dinner.
• If you are overweight, Lose weight.
• Chew your food properly for good digestion.
• Take buttermilk, onion, leafy vegetables and green gram, etc.
• Avoid hard meals which are difficult to digest.
• Avoid spicy and oily foods.
• Increase your intake of okra, spinach, carrots, radish, and yam in your diet.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• Keep the anal area clean.
• Take warm baths.
• Have enough sleep.

• Don’t sit too much on a hard surface because it can restrict blood flow around the anal area.
• Don’t sit in the toilet for long periods. This position causes extra pressure on the anal area.
• Avoid the use of coffee or alcohol.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects. When lifting heavy objects, only exhale and do not hold your breath.
• Don’t use laxatives regularly as it causes the bowels to lose their ability to function normally.
• Don’t consume any medication directly; this can be harmful to your stomach.

Herbal Remedies For Hemorrhoids Or Piles

As per Ayurveda, piles can be treated with the help of some powerful herbs. They can balance the doshas in the body and treat the root cause of the problem. Some of them are following:

• Haritaki

  Haritaki is a fruit that can balance the three doshas in the body. It helps to improve digestion and helps in detoxifying the body. So it is considered an important ayurvedic herb for the treatment of piles.

• Avipattikar Churna

  It treats piles and other digestive problems effectively. It is used to treat imbalances in the dosha and, in turn, promote healing from piles.

• Amalaki

  Amalaki, also known as Indian gooseberry is a common Ayurvedic medicine to balance all three Doshas. It acts as an antioxidant, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and laxative. So it treats piles effectively.

• Guggul

  Guggul is known for its anti-inflammatory properties in Ayurveda. It reduces the inflammation caused by piles. The presence of laxative and astringent agents helps in reducing the toxins and relieves pain and itching. It also balances Kapha Dosha.

• Turmeric

  Due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, helps in controlling bleeding in hemorrhoids. It also reduces anal itching and shrinks hemorrhoids. Ayurveda suggests Turmeric because it can strengthen the digestive fire and help in balancing the doshas.

• Triphala

  It acts as a mild laxative and allows the deepest tissues and organs of the body to release toxins. The cleansing property in Triphala enhances absorption and balances the doshas in the body.

The effective Ayurvedic herbs that reduce the symptoms associated with piles are Haritaki, Avipattikar Churna, Amalaki, Guggul, Turmeric, and Triphala.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned information related to Hemorrhoids or Piles is taken from various Ayurvedic resources. Always take the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before starting self-medication.

References

• Charaka Samhita.
• Shusruta Samhita.