Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, is one of the most common and distressing anorectal diseases in India and across the world. Though not usually life-threatening, it creates a huge burden on physical comfort, mental well-being, social life, and work efficiency. From a common man to very important persons (VIPs) in politics, business, and entertainment – piles silently troubles people, often forcing them to compromise with their day-to-day life.
Unfortunately, due to ignorance, hesitation, and social stigma, many people delay proper consultation and rely on wrong advice or quackery, which worsens the situation. This article aims to create awareness about piles, its relation with constipation, the importance of lifestyle correction, the role of proper medicine, and the need for expert medical care.
Why Piles is So Disturbing
Piles occur when the veins around the rectum and anus get swollen and inflamed. The symptoms may vary from mild to severe, but even in its early stages, it can create significant discomfort.
Some of the key ways piles disturbs life:
- Wasted Day and Lost Productivity – A person suffering from piles often finds it difficult to sit comfortably, travel, or work for long hours. Office-going professionals struggle to focus, while people with field jobs avoid important meetings due to discomfort. This leads to a direct reduction in work efficacy.
- Mental Disturbance – Chronic pain, bleeding, and fear of worsening symptoms generate constant stress. Patients feel embarrassed to discuss their condition openly, leading to anxiety and depression.
- Sitting Discomfort – Since most of our work, travel, and leisure activities involve sitting, the pain and itching caused by piles become a major hurdle. Even simple activities like driving a car, attending long meetings, or watching a movie in a theatre can become unbearable.
- Impact on VIPs and Public Figures – History shows that many politicians, business leaders, and celebrities have silently suffered due to piles. For people in the public eye, the inability to sit through long events or to maintain focus due to pain can result in missed opportunities, poor performance, and even damage to reputation.
- Multiple Problems Beyond Pain – Apart from pain, piles often bring bleeding, mucus discharge, burning, swelling, and repeated constipation. These complications reduce the quality of life drastically.
Constipation – The Root Cause in India
One of the biggest culprits behind piles is chronic constipation, which is extremely common in India due to lifestyle and dietary habits.
- Low Fiber Diet – Traditional Indian diets are gradually shifting towards refined flour, fried food, junk snacks, and fast food. Lack of green leafy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains deprives the gut of fiber, making stools hard and dry.
- Less Water Intake – Many people consume tea, coffee, and aerated drinks but forget the importance of plain water. Inadequate hydration further dries the stools.
- Sedentary Lifestyle – Long sitting hours, lack of exercise, and minimal walking reduce gut motility, resulting in sluggish bowel movements.
- Irregular Bowel Habits – People often ignore the natural urge for passing stool due to work pressure or travel. Over time, this habit leads to constipation and straining.
- Stress and Irregular Sleep – Mental stress affects digestion, while late-night sleep and irregular food timing disturb bowel patterns.
How Constipation Leads to Piles
- Constipation forces a person to strain during defecation.
- This straining increases pressure on rectal veins.
- Repeated episodes weaken the venous walls and lead to swelling.
- Over time, these swellings develop into piles, which may bleed, prolapse, and cause severe discomfort.
Thus, preventing constipation is the most effective way to prevent piles.
Care and Prevention of Constipation
- Dietary Changes
- Include high-fiber foods: green leafy vegetables, salads, fruits like papaya, banana, guava, and apples with skin.
- Prefer whole grains such as oats, wheat, brown rice, and millets instead of refined flour.
- Add natural laxative foods: soaked raisins, figs, flax seeds, and isabgol husk.
- Adequate Hydration
- Drink at least 2.5–3 liters of plain water daily.
- Start the morning with warm water to activate bowel movements.
- Regular Exercise
- Brisk walking, yoga, and abdominal exercises improve digestion and bowel regularity.
- Avoid long sitting without breaks.
- Timely Bowel Habits
- Never suppress the urge to pass stool.
- Prefer going in the morning after waking up, as per the body’s natural rhythm.
- Stress Management
- Meditation, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques reduce stress-induced constipation.
Role of Proper Medicine and Doctor’s Guidance
While diet and lifestyle can prevent or manage early constipation and piles, once the disease develops, medical guidance becomes essential.
- Correct Diagnosis – Not every anal problem is piles. Sometimes it may be fissure, fistula, or even serious diseases like rectal cancer. Only a qualified doctor can differentiate through proper examination.
- Medicines and Ointments – Many cases of piles, especially in early stages, can be controlled with proper medicines, local applications, and dietary corrections.
- Advanced Treatments – For recurrent or severe piles, modern medical science and Ayurveda both offer effective surgical and non-surgical options such as kṣārakarma, rubber band ligation, laser surgery, or minimal invasive procedures.
- Avoiding Quacks – One of the biggest dangers in India is the rise of unqualified practitioners who promise a “guaranteed cure” with secret remedies. Such treatments often worsen the disease, cause infection, or lead to unnecessary complications. Always ensure treatment from a registered and experienced doctor.
Mental Health and Social Impact
Ignoring piles not only damages physical health but also affects mental and social well-being.
- Patients often feel embarrassed to attend gatherings due to fear of pain or bleeding.
- Chronic stress reduces concentration, decision-making ability, and family interaction.
- Sleep disturbances further reduce immunity and overall wellness.
Recognizing these hidden impacts is important. Just like diabetes or hypertension, piles needs to be accepted as a common medical condition that deserves timely care, not silence.
A Message to All – Awareness is the Key
- Piles is not just a small disease; it is a major lifestyle-related health issue.
- It wastes precious time, reduces work efficiency, and creates mental disturbance.
- Even influential and VIP personalities have suffered from it, proving that no one is immune.
- Prevention is possible with proper diet, hydration, exercise, and bowel habits.
- Early treatment under a qualified doctor cures most cases effectively.
- Stay away from quacks and wrong promises; they can ruin health permanently.
Conclusion
Piles is a disturbing yet preventable disease. With rising constipation due to modern lifestyle, its incidence is rapidly increasing in India. Every person should take proactive steps to maintain gut health through diet and lifestyle corrections. And if symptoms of piles appear – bleeding, pain, swelling, or difficulty in passing stool – consult a qualified doctor immediately.
Remember, early care not only saves health but also protects mental peace, work efficiency, and overall quality of life. Don’t ignore the problem, don’t suffer in silence, and never fall into the trap of quacks. Right awareness, right lifestyle, and right doctor – these are the pillars to live piles-free life.