How does it feel when you regularly have complaints while defecation? You cant concentrate on your routine job nor can you have a happy day. This is the same story of hundreds and thousands of people suffering from constipation & piles. What exactly happens when you are constipated?? To understand constipation, it helps to know how the colon, or large intestine, works. As food moves through the colon, the colon absorbs water from the food while it forms waste products, or stool. Muscle contractions in the colon then push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum it is solid, because most of the water has been absorbed.

Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon’s muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. As a result, stools can become hard and dry. Chronic constipation for a long time eventually leads to PILES.

Piles (hemorrhoids) is basically a swelling in and around the anal region. Increased likelihood of piles occurs if you:

• Strain to push stools through the anal passage
• Lack fiber in you diet
• Suffer prolonged cases of diarrhea
• Are pregnant (this is due to increased weight and pressure)

There are many patients who fear to express this problem which eventually causes complications later. Hence its necessary to know that prevention is better than cure. Piles present with 4 grades in which grade 1 is mere swelling of the piles vessels that can be cured with medications and diet. Diet includes a high fibre diet like fruits, green leafy vegetables and plenty of water. Grade 2 to 4 require surgical intervention called STAPLER surgery.

It’s a surgery in which the piles are stapled to the wall of the anal canal, which reduces their blood supply and makes them smaller. The surgery is performed in the painless area through the natural route without any cut outside. Hence there is no question of stitches or dressings later. The patient can go home within 24 hours and can join duty from the 3rd day.
Similarly for chronic constipation not responding to medications, there is now hope for cure with a Procedure known as 'STARR'

A mere after care and followup with the doctor can ease you of your daily distress. Hence this journey from constipation to piles can be prevented if treated at its early stage….
Dr Ashwin Porwal is renowned proctosurgeon from Poona Hospital & Research Centre & is among very few surgeons across the country to perform STARR for Piles, prolapse & constipation.