Piles or Hemorrhoids as they are more commonly known as are veins that can become inflamed due to straining at bowel movements, prolonged sitting, pregnancy or a poor diet. To prevent them increase your water intake, include more fruits and veggies in your diet and exercise more. There are several ways to treat them. One is called band ligation which is done in a Doctor's office in less than 5 minutes with no anesthesia or numbing. A thrombosed hemorrhoid, one that looks like a grape protruding on the outside can also be removed in a Doctors office using a numbing agent. You can also try using a sitz bath in warm water several times a day to help with the discomfort and inflammation. Surgery should always be a last resort or if you have prolonged rectal bleeding from them. Over the counter products are usually not effective for hemorrhoids.
