It is interesting to ask ourselves that if the great Napolean did not have piles , would he have won more battles. Although it is difficult to answer this question but it is easy to address the more common queries that laymen have regarding piles. Let us see what science has to say regarding these.
Question 1.
Are all bleeding in stools due to piles?
No. Most bleeding in stools are due to piles but there are many other important cases of bleeding. Bleeding in stools can be due to anal fissure, dysentery, cancers, ulcerative colitis, etc.
Question 2.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have been bleeding for two to three times in a year and it is painlessthen you may not see a doctor. However if you bleed more, it is painful, there is associated alteration of bowel habits, stools are not yellow or if stool is mixed with blood then you definitely need to see a doctor. These symptoms mean that one may be harboring a bad disease requiring urgent attention. Colonoscopy (examination of the foodpipe through anus) would be mandatory in these cases. Many people deny themselves this test because they feel it is indignified. This is a grave mistake and must be avoided.
Question 3.
Would piles always require surgery?
It is possible to manage piles medically in most patients. Only in some cases when the bleeding is excessive, piles become painful, and the anus starts coming out (prolapse), it becomes necessary to operate.
Question 4.
Is piles surgery painful?
Traditional surgery for piles results in a painful wound at the anal opening necessitating daily dressings for weeks. This means increased hospital stay and delayed return to normal activities and work. This has become unacceptable in the modern world and leads patients to look for alternative treatments such as magic herbs, ointments, strange diets, etc. Look around and you will see excessive proliferation of these “piles shops” promising immediate cure. The sad part is common people usually fall prey to these false promises. Such unscientific remedies however do not give lasting benefits and leaves the patient frustrated in most instances.
Modern surgery for piles (stapler surgery) is a painless procedure where the patient can go home the same day. The patient can join work the very next day and can return to normal activities immediately.
Question 5.
If my bleeding in stools are due to cancer can I be cured and still pass my stools from my anus?
If the patient reports early, it is possible to cure cancers of foodpipe. It is also possible to preserve anus and do these surgery by laparoscopy in most cases in good centers.
Watch the video on Stapler Surgery for piles on YouTube.