why do we get piles - #36680
I am really confused and a bit worried about this problem I’ve been dealing with for a few weeks now. My doctor mentioned it might be piles, which got me thinking about it. Why do we get piles, anyway? I mean, I’ve been trying to eat healthy and stay active, but lately, I’ve been feeling this discomfort, like itching and sometimes pain during bowel movements. Ugh, so uncomfortable. I noticed it started after I began switching my diet. Was it too much spicy food or something? I’ve also been feeling super stressed lately, with work piling on more than usual. Is there a connection? I read somewhere that stress and diet can play a role, but still, why do we get piles in the first place? I keep wondering if there are specific triggers I should avoid, like certain foods or maybe even exercise routines? Also, I’m curious if there are any natural remedies from Ayurveda that could help with piles? I don’t want to just rely on medication. Anyone experienced with combining diet and lifestyle changes to manage this? Just really wanna understand why do we get piles and what I can do about it. Thanks a lot!
Doctor-recommended remedies for this condition


Doctors' responses
Piles, or hemorrhoids, are a common issue often resulting from increased pressure in the anal area. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including diet, lifestyle, and even stress. While eating healthy and staying active are generally beneficial, certain dietary changes, especially an increase in spicy foods, can sometimes irritate the digestive system. Let’s dive into some Ayurvedic insights and practical recommendations.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, piles often result from an imbalance of doshas, especially Pitta and Vata. An aggravation of Pitta due to excessive heat and spicy, sour, or salty foods can inflame tissues, while Vata imbalance might cause constipation—leading to straining during bowel movements and eventual pile development.
Stress, indeed, plays a role. It can disrupt your digestive fire (Agni) and lead to poor assimilation of nutrients, which might contribute to constipation—a common precursor of piles. To discover solutions, considering both diet and lifestyle adjustments is key.
Dietary Recommendations: 1. Opt for a balanced diet rich in fiber—fruits like apples, bananas, and fresh vegetables, such as carrots and squash, are beneficial. Avoid heavy, spicy, or fried foods, and limit coffee and alcohol intake. 2. Drink plenty of water—hydration supports smoother digestion and helps prevent constipation. 3. Include buttermilk and warm cooked foods, adding spices like cumin and fennel to aid digestion.
Lifestyle Recommendations: 1. Establish regular eating and sleeping routines to balance your doshas. 2. Include gentle exercises, such as yoga or brisk walking, rather than intense workouts that may aggravate your condition. Stress-relieving practices like meditation or shavasana are also helpful. 3. Sitz baths with warm water can provide relief from irritation and pain.
Ayurvedic Remedies: 1. Triphala churna is known for its laxative properties, promoting bowel regularity. Take a teaspoon with warm water at bedtime. 2. Aloe vera gel taken on an empty stomach can aid healing and cooling if heat seems to aggravate. 3. Apply coconut oil or sesame oil to the area for soothing relief and to reduce inflammation.
If irritation persists or worsens, consider consulting with an Ayurvedic physician for personalized treatment. Remember, balance and moderation generally support digestive and overall health. With care, these discomforts can be managed through an integrated approach focusing on diet, lifestyle, and appropriate Ayurvedic interventions.
Piles, or hemorrhoids, often result from increased pressure in the rectal area, leading to swollen veins. A variety of factors contribute to this condition, many of which align with your current concerns. Primarily, they can arise from strain during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, chronic constipation or diarrhea. From an Ayurvedic perspective, your condition links to an imbalance in the pitta dosha, which governs heat and digestion, and sometimes vata dosha when considering stress’s impact on overall movement and prana.
Regarding diet, too much spicy, fried, or highly acidic foods can exacerbate pitta and contribute to piles. You mentioned dietary changes; it’s plausible that increased pitta-aggravating foods might be a contributing factor. Moreover, stress can also disturb your digestive fire (agni) and alter regular elimination patterns, leading to discomfort.
For practical steps: aim to incorporate more cooling, soothing foods like cucumber, melon, and leafy greens to pacify pitta. Sesame seeds might be small but they can be effective in aiding bowel movement due to their fiber content. Drink ample water to stay hydrated, aiding smoother bowel movements. Check your stress levels since managing them through breathing exercises or yoga could help maintain balance in the mysterious interplay of doshas.
Consider a sitz bath, soaking in warm water, to reduce itching and pain. Triphala, an Ayurvedic herbal remedy, is known for its gentle laxative effects and can be taken nightly to encourage healthy bowel function — but first consult with a professional if taking any other medication or if pregnant.
Exercise is certainly beneficial, but avoid straining, heavy lifting, or practices that elevate abdominal pressure. Instead, gentle activities like walking or swimming can be helpful. Remember, severe or persistently painful symptoms warrant immediate medical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions like anal fissures or thrombosed hemorrhoids. Balancing diet, lifestyle, and stress can go a long way, but sometimes, prompt evaluation is crucial for your wellbeing.

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