Painful or painless piles – symptoms chart from Thrissur Piles Clinic

Painful or Painless Piles: Understanding the Difference and What It Means?

Piles, also called hemorrhoids, are a very common problem seen in many people across Kerala, especially in areas like Thrissur. These are swollen veins in the anus or rectum that can be either painful or painless piles depending on their type and stage. Many people search for piles treatment in Thrissur, Kerala, or consult a proctologist in Thrissur, but often don’t know the real difference between these two forms. Painless piles, which are usually internal, may not hurt but can cause bleeding during bowel movements. On the other hand, painful piles, mostly external, can lead to severe pain, swelling, itching, or even blood clots. Knowing the difference helps in early detection and the right treatment. At Thrissur Piles Clinic, Dr. Raviram S., a trusted and experienced piles specialist in Thrissur, Kerala, guides patients with proper diagnosis and advanced treatments for fast and safe relief.

Types of Piles: An Overview

Piles are mainly divided into two types based on their location:

Internal piles: These develop inside the rectum. Early-stage internal piles are usually painless because this area lacks pain-sensing nerves. However, they may bleed during bowel movements, often showing up as bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the stool.
External piles: These form under the skin around the anus, where there are many pain-sensing nerves. As a result, external piles are more likely to cause pain, especially if a blood clot (thrombosis) forms.

Internal and external piles can also occur together in some cases.

Painful vs Painless Piles: Key Differences:

Understanding the key differences between painful and painless piles can help you identify the condition early and seek the right treatment. The main difference lies in their location and the type of symptoms they cause.

Internal Piles (Usually Painless):

Location: Inside the rectum, above the area with pain-sensing nerves.
Symptoms: Most internal piles do not cause pain. Common signs include bright red bleeding during bowel movements, mild itching, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
Grades: Internal piles are graded from 1 to 4 depending on their size and whether they prolapse (come out) from the anus. Early grades are usually painless, but higher grades may cause discomfort if they prolapse.
When They Become Painful: If internal piles prolapse and get trapped outside the anus, they may become swollen and painful, especially if a blood clot forms (thrombosis).

External Piles (Often Painful):

Location: Under the skin around the anus, where there are many pain-sensing nerves.
Symptoms: Cause pain, swelling, itching, and sometimes bleeding. Pain is usually worse during bowel movements, sitting, or walking.
Thrombosed Piles: If a blood clot forms in an external pile, it can become very painful and swollen. This is called a thrombosed pile and may require urgent treatment.
Visible Lumps: External piles can often be seen or felt as lumps around the anus.

If you notice any of these signs, consult a piles specialist in Thrissur, Kerala like Dr. Raviram S. at Thrissur Piles Clinic for proper diagnosis and fast, effective relief.

Causes of Painful vs Painless Piles:

Painful piles: Pain is mainly caused by swelling, inflammation, or clot formation in the piles. External piles are more likely to be painful, especially when irritated by activities like sitting, walking, or bowel movements. Thrombosed piles, where a blood clot forms, can cause sudden and severe pain.
Painless piles: Internal piles usually do not cause pain unless they prolapse (come out of the anus) or become very large. Early-stage internal piles may only cause painless bleeding during bowel movements.

Common causes of piles include straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, pregnancy, lifting heavy objects, and sitting for long periods.

Why Are Some Piles Painful and Others Not?

The main reason is location:

Internal piles are above the dentate line in the rectum, where there are few pain nerves. That’s why they are usually painless, even if they bleed.
External piles are below the dentate line, where there are many pain nerves, making them more likely to hurt.

Pain can also occur if:

There is swelling or inflammation due to straining or constipation.
A blood clot forms (thrombosis), causing sudden and severe pain.
The pile prolapses and gets irritated by rubbing, wiping, or sitting for long periods.

What Pain or Lack of Pain May Indicate?

Painless piles: Usually less severe and may not need urgent medical attention. However, painless bleeding should not be ignored, as it can lead to anemia or signal other health issues.
Painful piles: Often indicate complications like thrombosis, prolapse, or severe inflammation. These need quick medical attention to prevent further problems.

If you notice pain, swelling, or heavy bleeding, consult a piles specialist or proctologist in Thrissur, Kerala, for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis: How Dr. Raviram S. Differentiate Pile Types?

At Thrissur Piles Clinic, Dr. Raviram S., an experienced piles specialist in Thrissur, follows a clear and simple process to identify whether a patient has painful or painless piles.

He starts by taking a detailed medical history, asking about key symptoms like pain, bleeding, itching, swelling, or any lump near the anus. This helps understand the nature and severity of the problem.
Next, he does a physical examination to check for external piles, any swelling, or signs of prolapse. This step is quick and usually not painful.
To check for internal piles, Dr. Raviram S. may use a small device called a proctoscope or anoscope to see inside the rectum and identify the grade and condition of the piles.
If needed, he may advise further tests to rule out other causes of bleeding, like fissures, infections, or colorectal conditions. Early and accurate diagnosis ensures better results and faster healing.

Early diagnosis gives better treatment results and faster recovery.

Treatment Painful vs Painless Piles For Thrissur Piles Clinic:

For Painful Piles:

Medications: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory creams, and stool softeners.
Procedures: Thrombosed piles may need minor surgery to remove the clot.
Laser piles surgery in Thrissur: Advanced, minimally invasive option for quick relief and faster recovery.
Lifestyle changes: High-fibre diet, hydration, and avoiding straining.

For Painless Piles:

Lifestyle changes: Increase fiber, drink more water, and avoid sitting for long periods.
Medications: Creams or suppositories to reduce swelling.
Non-surgical treatments: Rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or infrared coagulation for internal piles.
Ayurvedic piles treatment in Thrissur: Some prefer natural remedies, but always consult a qualified piles specialist first.

Dr. Raviram S. at Thrissur Piles Clinic is known for advanced laser and painless piles treatment in Thrissur, Kerala, and has helped many patients with both painful and painless piles.

Prevention Painful or Painless Piles:

Eat a high-fiber diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid straining during bowel movements.
Exercise regularly.
Don’t sit on the toilet for long periods.
Treat constipation early.

Complications of Painful vs Painless Piles:

Painful piles (usually external) can lead to serious issues if left untreated. These include infection, pus-filled abscess, blood clots (thrombosis), or even strangulated piles where the blood supply gets cut off—causing extreme pain and swelling.
Painless piles (usually internal) may seem harmless at first but can cause long-term problems like continuous blood loss, iron deficiency anemia, and weakness, and they may gradually worsen into painful or prolapsed piles over time.

Early treatment helps avoid complications and gives faster relief.

When to Seek to Help Piles Specialist?

If you have bleeding from the anus, especially if it is persistent or heavy.
If you feel a painful lump or swelling around the anus.
If the pain is severe or you have difficulty sitting or walking.
If home remedies are not helping, or symptoms are getting worse.

Ignoring piles can lead to complications like anemia, infection, or strangulated piles, which may need surgery.

Conclusion:

Understanding the difference between painful and painless piles helps you know when to seek help and what treatment options are available. If you are searching for the best piles hospital in Thrissur, piles specialist, or advanced painless piles treatment, consult Dr. Raviram S. at Thrissur Piles Clinic for expert advice and care. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can help you live pain-free and healthy. For personalized consultation and advanced treatment, call us at 9961001199 and book your appointment with Dr. Raviram S. at Thrissur Piles Clinic today.