Standard guidelines for piles management must be adopted by all healthcare workers

Prof Rama Kant in operation theatre
(CNS file photo)

[Webinar recording] Despite more than half of our population over the age of 50 dealing with piles or haemorrhoids, the levels of available standard care for its management is appalling. "We need to ensure all healthcare workers across medical disciplines are following evidence-based standards for correct and early diagnosis and proper management of piles. Every surgeon or physician has her or his own way of addressing this problem. This absence of standards in piles care must get attention" said Professor (Dr) Rama Kant, former head of Surgery department, King George's Medical University (KGMU) and founder-Director of Piles To Smiles Clinic.

"Piles care is one of the most neglected medical fields. To make matters worse, a culture of shame, silence, denial, secrecy and embarrassment makes it even more challenging to get early diagnosis of piles and access proper care" added WHO Director-General Awardee Prof Rama Kant. “It is surprising that piles or haemorrhoids have not been high up on the public health agenda despite of the incredibly high prevalence and practical approaches to prevent or manage them.”

"Piles are very common in both males and females. Chronic constipation, recurrent diarrhoea, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, straining at stools for prolonged periods, lack of exercise, etc are some common precipitating factors for piles. Piles often co-exist with other ano-rectal problems including ano-rectal cancers. Nearly 50% of people over 50 have already at least 1 episode of piles, and over the age of 70, incidence may be as high as 85%!" warned Prof Rama Kant.

"We have been using a unique non-surgical technique for the management of Piles like Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) and Recto-Anal Repair (RAR). All patients except those with acute thrombosed piles, can be considered for DGHAL and RAR" shared Prof Rama Kant.

Author of "Piles To Smiles" book, Prof Rama Kant has managed almost 3,500 patients of piles using DGHAL and RAR techniques. "After DGHAL and RAR, meantime to return to work was found to be 2.8 days. 1038 patients have undergone DGHAL at our centre, and 2320 RAR. Doppler treatment not only assumes therapeutic significance but it also becomes genuine prophylaxis against the more advanced stages of illnesses."

We must adopt healthier lifestyles for multiple health and wellness benefits. This includes avoiding constipation, not sitting too long, exercising regularly, changing diets for more fibre intake, fruits, and drinking plenty of water, among others. Prof Rama Kant appeals that once if there is a symptom of any ano-rectal problem, then do get examined, correctly diagnosed, and properly treated by evidence-based methods.

Piles are swellings that develop from the tissues that line the anal canal or back passage. The tissue of the anal canal is rich in blood vessels. If these vessels become dilated and swollen, they may project into the anal canal or out of the back passage (known as a prolapse) to form visible swellings.

CNS (Citizen News Service)
15 November 2015