What are Piles (haemorrhoids)?
Piles (haemorrhoids) are swollen veins that occur around your anal region. Piles generally occur in the lowermost part of the anus and can cause severe pain and discomfort. This is due to the blood vessels of the anal region which gets enlarged and leads to stretching of the skin which causes pain. Piles that are bulging out near the anal opening are generally called external haemorrhoids. While the piles that occur on the inner part of the anal opening cannot be felt and are called internal haemorrhoids.

Piles affect people of all ages and gender. This condition can cause a lot of pain and discomfort in your daily life, however, the good news is it can be treated very effectively with a simple piles surgery in Nigeria.

What are the symptoms of Piles?
Symptoms of piles to look out for:

Bleeding: Bleeding during the passing of stool is one of the most common symptoms of Piles and is an indicator of internal piles.

Swelling: Small balloon-like swelling or swellings that can be seen around the anal region, it also causes the anus to feel tender.

Anal Pain: Piles generally cause pain in the anal region and make it difficult for a patient to pass stool.

Lumps near the anus: Lumps on the anal surface are also common symptoms of piles.

Anal Itching: Haemorrhoids or piles can cause severe itching around the anus generally externally.

Slimy Discharge: A slimy discharge passed along with stool is also considered as a symptom of piles

Sore Skin around Anus: Sore skin or skin sticking out after bowel movement around the anus is also a symptom of piles or haemorrhoids.

What causes Piles
A low-fibre diet: Fibre deficient diet causes strain on the movement of the bowels due to harder and smaller stools.

Pregnancy: Pregnancy can cause piles due to an enlarged uterus that may put pressure on the colon which is connected to the anus. Pressure on the anus generally leads to internal piles.

Heavy weight lifting: Heavy weight lifting can cause piles.

Constipation: Constipation puts strain on blood vessels around the anus due to the pressure of pushing stool which may cause piles.

Prolonged Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea may cause piles too due to the passage of loose stool for a prolonged period.

Diagnosis of Piles, Haemorrhoids
The surgeon will diagnose your symptoms before suggesting piles treatment. If you have the symptoms of external piles, the surgeon will generally examine the affected area. If the symptoms indicate internal piles, you may need to get a rectal examination done.

The piles surgery will help in quick recovery from the pain and discomfort. It is generally an effective and permanent solution for Piles.

Treatment of Piles, Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoidectomy or Piles surgery is a surgical procedure to remove piles or haemorrhoids. You will receive general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia in order not to feel pain.

The operation is typically done in a surgery centre. You will presumably go home that same day (outpatient).

What to Expect
Full Recovery takes around 1 to 2 weeks.

Going home after Piles Surgery
• Immediately after the surgery, when you are still under anaesthesia, you will receive a long-acting local anaesthetic. It will last 6 to 12 hours to provide relief from pain after surgery. If you are not staying overnight in the hospital after surgery, you will leave only after the anaesthesia wears off and you have passed urine.

• Someone should assist in driving you home.

Care after Piles Surgery
You can expect little pain after surgery. Your doctor may give you medicines for pain.

For some days after surgery, drink liquids and eat a plain diet (plain rice, bananas, dry toast or crackers, applesauce). Then you may return to everyday foods and gradually increase the amount of fibre in your diet.

Follow-up exams with the surgeon normally are done 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery.

Why Piles Surgery is Done
Piles surgery or Haemorrhoidectomy is proper when you have:

• Very big internal haemorrhoids.

• Internal haemorrhoids that still present symptoms after nonsurgical treatment.

• Large external haemorrhoids that lead to major discomfort and make it hard to keep the anal area clean.

• Both internal and external haemorrhoids.

How Well Piles Surgery Works
Surgery usually treats a haemorrhoid. However, the long-term success of haemorrhoid surgery depends mostly on how well you can change your daily bowel habits to prevent constipation and straining.

Piles Surgery Cost in Nigeria
Piles surgery costs depend upon various factors like;

1. Type of surgery chosen

2. Age and gender of the patient

3. Location and choice of the Hospital

4. Experience of Surgeon