World Piles Day is a day to celebrate those living with piles and the people who care for them. With over 300 million people around the world living with chronic lower back pain, it’s no wonder there’s so much focus on this area of the body.
What is Piles Disease?
Haemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins. Haemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum (internal Haemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external Haemorrhoids). Nearly three out of four adults will have Haemorrhoids from time to time.
Internal vs. external
Internal piles occur within the rectum and are usually not visible during an external examination. However, in some cases, an external pile may grow to protrude outside of the anus. The medical term for this is prolapsed hemorrhoid.
Medical professionals grade internal piles on a four-point scale.
Grade I: The growth does not cause symptoms and does not protrude out of the anus.
Grade II: The piles may prolapse from the anus but return inside independently.
Grade III: The piles prolapse and only recede within the anus with manual intervention.
Grade IV: The piles prolapse outside of the anus and a person cannot push them back in.
External piles form small lumps on the outside edge of the anus. They are very itchy and can become painful if a blood clot develops because the clot can block blood flow. Thrombosed external piles, or hemorrhoids that have clotted, require immediate medical treatment.
What is World Piles Day?
World Piles Day is an annual celebration of people with piles. Those with piles are often unaware that they are in the minority, and are encouraged to celebrate, raise awareness and share their story on the day. World Piles Day is a chance for those with chronic lower back pain and their loved ones to come together to appreciate, understand and celebrate the condition. Piles is an inflammatory condition of the lower urinary tract. It refers to the plural of the Latin word for “trunk” (pars).
What are the causes of piles?
Piles is an inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the kidneys and collects urine. Piles are often caused by a bacterial infection in the urinary tract, known as a kidney infection. Other causes of lower back pain include: Sports injuries, bad posture, age and a weak core.
Piles symptoms and diagnosis
While most cases of piles are mild and self-resolving, some people may experience more severe symptoms. These may include: Urinating frequently and in large amounts Sexual disfunction and pain during intercourse Difficulty walking and standing, including the risk of falls
The day is meant to encourage those who have to deal with piles and their loved ones, while also working to raise awareness and find a cure for the condition. Piles is a condition that affects millions of people, so it’s important to know how to support and love those with the condition.
