What Are Piles? What Causes Piles?

Piles are hemorrhoids that become inflamed. Hemorrhoids are masses, clumps, cushions of tissue in the anal canal - they are full of blood vessels, support tissue, muscle and elastic fibers. Although hemorrhoids are thought of as unpleasant inflammations, we all have them. It is when the hemorrhoidal cushions become too big (inflamed) that people have problems - when this happens they are called piles or pathological hemorrhoids. Put simply, "piles" are the swollen ones that cause pain and problems, hemorrhoids can refer to the swollen ones (pathological hemorrhoids) or just the normal structure. However, in most cases these days, piles and hemorrhoids have virtually the same meaning.

Piles can be of various sizes and can be internal ones (inside the anus) or external ones (outside the anus). Typically, internal piles occur from 2 to 4cm above the opening of the anus. External piles (perianal hematoma) occur on the outside edge of the anus. The internal ones are much more common.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, symptomatic hemorrhoids affect at least half the US population at some time in their lives, and approximately 5% of all adults have piles at any given time.

According to the National Health Service (NHS, UK), piles affect between 4% to 25% of the UK adult population. They are more common among adults aged between 45 and 65 years, as well as pregnant females.

Males and females are equally susceptible to developing hemorrhoids.

In the vast majority of cases, piles are effectively treated with OTC medications, a good fluid intake, and by following a diet high in fiber. In severe cases the piles may have to be surgically removed. Approximately 10% of patients who go and see their doctor about piles eventually have to undergo surgery.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Hemorrhoids are "A varicose condition of the external hemorrhoidal veins causing painful swellings at the anus."

Internal Hemorrhoids are "Dilated veins beneath the mucous membrane within the sphincter."

External Hemorrhoids are "dilated veins forming tumors at the outer side of the external sphincter."