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Piles (Hemorrhoids) can be described as "Enlarged and engorged blood vessels in and around the rectum (anus)". These may be accompanied by pain, bleeding and itching. If you are experiencing bleeding and/or pain after passing stools, you could be suffering from piles (also called hemorrhoids). However, the term has come into common usage to indicate the condition described herein. Perianal hematoma are sometimes misdiagnosed and mislabeled as hemorrhoids, when in fact they have different causes and treatments.
What are piles (hemorrhoids)?
* Piles are a condition known and described for centuries.
* Piles are dilated blood vessels in the rectal mucosa, which form a mass in the anal canal.
* They are medically known as hemorrhoids. Are classified as internal or external hemorrhoids.
How common are piles (hemorrhoids)?
Piles are common in both men and women. Those exposed to improper dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, etc. have a greater incidence of piles. According to a recent health estimate, over 40% of the people world wide suffer from piles and as many as 40% of the population have experienced symptoms of this disease sometime in life. In India, approximately 80% of sufferers are in the age group of 21- 50 years. Piles are also seen among pregnant women.
In the USA, the prevalence is about 4.4%. It is estimated that approximately one half of all Americans have had this condition by the age of 50. However, only a small number seek medical treatment. Annually, only about 500,000 in the U.S. are medically treated for massive hemorrhage, with 10 to 20% of them requiring surgeries.
According to a British medical journal of 1972 hemorrhoids "are common in economically developed communities, rare in developing countries, and almost unknown in tribal communities, where the influence of Western countries is slight."