It is commonly assumed that hemorrhoids and piles are both the same thing, however piles is the name given to hemorrhoids when they become swollen.
Hemorrhoids are vessels within the anal canal which assist in the control of the passing of stools from the anus.
They can become piles after they have been subject to extended irregular bowel movement or extended pressure on the rectal and anal area.
Piles are fully curable in most cases and with the correct know-how a person suffering with them can work towards being free from the discomfort they cause in very little time, providing that they are prepared to make simple yet necessary changes to their lifestyle.
When we experience pain or discomfort of any kind, the first thought is always associated with a desire to be free from the problem causing it.
However when it comes to pain or discomfort in embarrassing areas, we often try to ignore their existence in the hope that it will probably pass on its own accord, which more often than not doesn't happen.
The mere mention of words like hemorrhoids and piles is enough to make most people smirk or even laugh, making it more difficult to address the problem to the average sufferer of piles.
The fact is everyone has hemorrhoids and they are a necessary part of the human anatomy.
With this in mind, we can now switch our attention away from hemorrhoids being the problem and focus on the problem being piles.
Pregnancy, poor diet, being overweight and long periods in a sitting position are more commonly the reasons associated with the development of piles.
In pregnancy, an expectant mother would more likely struggle to avoid them developing considering the fact that her body will be experiencing many changes with the developing foetus, which in growth would cause the rectum to be under sustained pressure, in some cases right up until the mother has gone through labour and child birth.
For many other sufferers it is predominantly down to lifestyle, and in this we refer to the way we go about our daily activities with regards to leisure, diet and work.
Our diets are probably the most common cause of piles.
Diarrhoea and constipation over a sustained period can greatly contribute to the onset of piles.
When there is an attempt to pass stools that are fairly hard as is commonly the case for someone suffering with constipation, the hemorrhoids are put under an unusual amount of pressure which can cause them to become swollen.
On the other hand suffering with diarrhoea, the vessels in the rectum and anus are under pressure from 'clenching' as the sufferer tries to avoid an even more embarrassing situation of accidentally releasing the contents of the bowel.
By applying our focus to our daily routine, we can eliminate piles and even prevent them from occurring in the first place.
There are many 'over the counter' remedies to ease the pain associated with piles and some that assist in curing them, though it is also wise to make changes to our daily lifestyles.
Introducing healthy eating is most definitely a step in the right direction.
Simply introducing more fibre into our diets by increasing our fruit and vegetable intake is regarded as the most effective, though too much can also lead to health issues so the five a day rule is a suitable guideline.
Also increasing water consumption aids in the softening of stools with the recommendation that we try to drink at least 2 pints of water per day.
Water assists in flushing and cleansing the body so drinking more water as opposed to carbonated drinks, tea and coffee also helps.
As well as diet, plenty of exercise is also recommended with regards to avoiding lengthy periods of sitting down.