Which doctors work at the Bangalore Gastro Centre?

Please click on the link for the details on Doctors :Click Here

How long is the waiting time for an appointment?

We try and schedule your appointments in such a way that your waiting time is kept to as minimum as possible.

What conditions do you treat?

We at Bangalore Gastro Centre treat all conditions or diseases related to digestive health or gut health. Click here for details

What are the fees for endoscopy and colonoscopy?

Please ring us on 08046888888 or email us at appointments@bangaloregastrocentre.com for these details.

Who is a gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologists are doctors who are trained to diagnose and treat problems in your gastrointestinal tract and liver.

How do I make an appointment?

Please connect with us on Whatsapp , call us on 08046888888 or email us at appointments@bangaloregastrocentre.com

Crohns Disease - Bangalore Gastro Centre

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Fatty Liver

Fatty Liver

What is fatty liver?

Fatty Liver is a condition where fat starts building up inside the liver. It is also known as hepatic steatosis. It can be of two types – alcoholic fatty liver (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). As the name suggests, NAFLD is not associated with alcohol intake. Fatty Liver can be divided into four main stages:

Stage 1: Simple fatty liver – It is harmless and does not progress or produce any symptoms

Stage 2: Steatohepatitis – It involves a more inflamed liver and increased fat accumulation

Stage 3: Fibrosis – It involves scarring of the liver

Stage 4: Cirrhosis – A severe condition that is irreversible

What are the signs and symptoms?

During the early stage, people with fatty liver show no signs and symptoms, but as the disease progresses into chronic liver disease, the following symptoms can come up:

Discomfort in the abdomen
Weight loss, lack of appetite, and weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Easy bleeding and bruising
Itchy skin
Yellowish discolouration of skin and eyes
Pale urine and pale stool
Collection of fluid in the abdomen known as ascites
Swelling of the feet
Spider-web-like veins on the abdomen
Breast enlargement in men, known as gynecomastia
Confusion

What causes fatty liver?

AFLD can be due to drinking too much alcohol, which causes fat buildup in the liver. But NAFLD can be caused due to:

Overweight or obesity
High cholesterol in the blood
Prediabetes and diabetes
Hypertension
Metabolic syndrome – a condition where a person has three or more of the following conditions, including increased waist-hip ratio, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol -triglyceride level, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.

Which tests can diagnose fatty liver?

Gastroenterologists, who are also liver specialists, will perform a clinical examination and evaluate signs and symptoms. They may prescribe the following test to confirm it:

Blood tests – complete blood picture and liver profile
Ultrasound scan of the liver
Special ultrasound called fibroscan to estimate the amount of fat and scarring in the liver
CT scan or liver biopsy in rare cases

What is the treatment for fatty liver?

Losing weight with the help of diet and lifestyle changes is the first line of fatty liver treatment. Losing 10% of the body weight is desirable.
Gaining reasonable control over diabetes with medicines as directed by the physician and regular monitoring of the sugar levels.
Reducing cholesterol levels by choosing a healthy plant-based diet, regular exercising, and using medicines to lower cholesterol.
Protecting the liver by avoiding things that put added stress on the liver, such as alcohol
Checking with the gastroenterologist before taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal treatments

What are the complications of fatty liver?

An advancing fatty liver can change to a more severe condition. Below are the complications of fatty liver:

NASH or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis – a condition where the liver becomes inflamed over time.
Cirrhosis- permanent scarring of the liver.
Liver cancer- cirrhosis of the liver can turn into liver cancer, where a liver transplant is the only line of treatment.

Bottomline :

Fatty liver disease occurs due to fat buildup in the liver. It can be managed by limiting alcohol intake, changing the diet, promoting liver health, and losing weight. Most patients with fatty liver do not experience symptoms until the liver is severely damaged. However, early diagnosis and treatment can reverse the condition.

Get the best liver and gastro treatment in Bangalore from the top gastroenterologist or a liver specialist.

How can Bangalore Gastro Centre help you?

Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospital in Bangalore takes a collaborative approach to fatty liver treatment by bringing together experts from multiple specialities to ensure you receive the most innovative, comprehensive treatments. As the fatty liver disease is typically linked to other metabolic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and excess weight, we have a team of the best liver and gastro doctors, endocrinologists, and nutritionists working as a team within the clinic. Each team member will participate in every patient’s evaluation and ongoing care.

Bloating

Bloating/ GasBloating is the feeling that your belly is stretched or overly full due to intestinal gas. Sometimes it could be painful due to pressure on the abdomen and lead to distention or visible swelling of the abdomen. The discomfort, pain, or fullness may resolve once intestinal gas is released by burping, passing gas, or passing stools.Signs and symptoms :

Tummy feels bigger than usual
Abdominal discomfort or pain
Rumbling or noises from the tummy
Belching
Chest pain

Causes :

Swallowing air or drinking aerated beverages
Gases produced by gut bacteria after digesting carbohydrates through fermentation
Food intolerances
Gastrointestinal diseases like carbohydrate malabsorption (fructose or lactose intolerances), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (imbalances in gut bacteria, overflow of gut bacteria from colon to small intestine)
Digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia
The build-up of digestive contents in the digestive system due to constipation, bowel blockage, motility disorders or recent weight gain
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle
Fluid build-up due to ascites caused by liver or kidney disease or heart failure
Pancreatic dysfunction
Stomach or gut infections like gastritis or enteritis
Cancers

When to consult a doctor?

If bloating gets progressively worse
If bloating persists for over a week
If it is consistently painful
If it is accompanied by other illnesses like vomiting, bleeding, diarrhoea, bloody stools, changes in frequency and colour of stools, chest pain, recent weight gain, loss of appetite or fever

Prevention and treatment :

Avoiding overeating and eating smaller portions of food
Eating slowly to prevent overeating
Limiting fatty meals that can take more time for digestion
Avoiding swallowing air by avoiding drinking through a straw, drinking carbonated or aerated beverages, chewing gum and sucking hard sweets or toffees
Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods like cabbage, cauliflower, apricots, prunes, beans, lentils
Limiting dairy products, especially those with lactose intolerance
Limiting fibre-rich whole grains, as sometimes fibre can take time to digest, causing bloating
Following the low FODMAP diet (low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols)

Summary : Bloating can be caused due to normal physiological processes, swallowed gas, fermentation of un absorbed carbohydrates like fibre in the gut, or some underlying conditions.Making changes in the diet like following a low FODMAP diet, avoiding overeating and avoiding drinking carbonated beverages could help.

Lactose Intolerance

What is lactose intolerance?Lactose intolerance occurs when people cannot digest lactose in the milk and dairy products into simple sugars, glucose and galactose. It happens due to a deficiency of enzyme lactase, which is released from the small intestine lining. As a result, people with lactose intolerance develop bloating, gas, and diarrhoea after consuming dairy products.Lactose is mainly present in dairy products like milk, curd/yoghurt, and cheese. It is also found in bread, baked products, processed food, sweets, instant foods, some soups, mixes for pancakes and biscuits, salad dressings, and sweets.

Signs and symptoms :The symptoms usually start within 30 minutes or 2 hours after consuming dairy products. Commonly observed symptoms include:

Abdominal distension due to gas or bloating
Sudden urge to pass stool
Loud bowel sounds or abdominal noises
Excess gas
Abdominal cramping or pain
Excess burping
Diarrhoea or loose stools

Lactose intolerance can begin during childhood or maybe later in life. But it tends to worsen with age.

Causes :Lactose intolerance can be due to four main reasonsPrimary lactose intolerance

It is the most common variety.
It is due to decreased lactase production due to increasing age
It is commonly seen in people of African, Hispanic, and Asian ancestry.

Secondary lactose intolerance

It happens secondary to other inflammatory conditions of the gut like Crohn’s disease, IBD or IBD.
It can be temporary and resolves when the primary gut condition is treated.

Congenital lactose intolerance

It is very rare and occurs when a defective gene is inherited from a parent, causing a complete absence of lactase.
Babies with this condition can experience diarrhoea as soon as breastmilk or formula is introduced.
Unfortunately, it is a lifelong condition.

Developmental lactose intolerance

It generally happens in premature babies, as their digestive system is not fully developed. Lactase production starts after 34 weeks of gestation.
It resolves as the baby grows up.

Tests :The following tests help in the diagnosis of lactose intolerance.

Genetic test: It checks for genetic causes. However, people with secondary lactose intolerance may get false-negative results.
Lactose tolerance test: This test measures the blood sugar after lactose intake. People with lactose intolerance do not experience any changes in blood sugar levels as their bodies cannot break down lactose.
Hydrogen breath test: This test measures hydrogen in breath after taking lactose. Higher amounts of hydrogen in the breath suggest digestive problems related to lactose intolerance. The test may indicate other issues too.
Lactase activity at jejunal brush border: This is an invasive test that requires a biopsy of the jejunal brush border. The jejunum is a part of the small intestine. It is a definitive way to assess lactase activity.
Stool acidity test: This test measure the stool acid level. It is used for babies and infants who have low stool pH in cases of lactose intolerance.

Treatment :There is no cure for this condition, but it can be managed by following specific precautions.

Consuming substitutes for dairy products like almonds and soy milk
Substituting breast milk with formula milk for babies.
Taking lactase enzyme replacement pills with dose as advised by doctors
Taking prebiotics and probiotics to help reduce symptoms
Taking calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and protein supplements to compensate for cuts in dairy products

Lactose intolerance sometimes gets resolved gradually with regular consumption of lactose as the body adapts to it.Summary :Lactose intolerance is one of the uncomfortable, uneasy situations that one can experience after intake of dairy food and baked food. It produces symptoms like bloating and loose stool.Though it is an incurable condition, it can be managed easily and sometimes it goes away by itself. Consult a doctor when you experience symptoms often and are concerned about a low calcium intake.

Anal Fissure

FISSURE ( Anal Fissure / Fissure in Ano)

What is an anal fissure?

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus, which causes discomfort, pain, and bleeding during bowel movements. The fissure often uncovers the muscles around the anus, known as the anal sphincter. This uncovering may further lead to spasms of the muscles, pulling the edges of the sphincter more apart.

Anal fissures can occur at any age but are more common in infancy and adulthood. They can be equally common in men and women. If anal fissures last over six weeks, it becomes a chronic condition and may require treatment.

What causes anal fissures?

Anal fissures most commonly occur because of chronic constipation or frequent loose stool. The other causes of an anal fissure are:

Strenuous labour or childbirth
Inflammatory bowel disease
Anal sex
Poor blood supply around the anus
Tight anal sphincter

What are the signs and symptoms of anal fissures?

Severe sharp, cutting, and burning pain in the anal area during bowel movements
Passage of bright red blood on the stool or after bowel movements
Small lump or skin tag around the anus
Itching in the anal area

How are anal fissures diagnosed?

A simple examination and evaluation of symptoms help diagnose anal fissures.
When the diagnosis is not precise, a colonoscopy test under anaesthesia is advised to rule out other causes like sexually transmitted diseases and cancer.

How are anal fissures treated?

The following approaches are used for fissure treatment:

Fibre therapy – eating plenty of fibre in the form of wheat bran, oat bran, and whole grains helps not only prevent anal fissures but also in recovery. It modifies stool consistency and fastens healing.
A warm bath or Sitz bath to help soothe the pain and healing
Drinking enough water to help improve digestion.
Sphincter relaxants
Stool softeners
Topical pain relievers
Nitroglycerine or hydrocortisone ointments
Botox injections into the sphincter to relieve spasms
Surgery is only advised when other approaches do not help.
Laser surgery is the best treatment for fissures as it is a minimally invasive surgery that takes only 15 to 30 minutes. A laser beam is used to remove scar tissue around the anus while a patient is under anaesthesia. Laser treatment for fissures causes less pain and speedy recovery.

Summary

An anal fissure is a small and painful tear around the anus due to chronic constipation or diarrhoea.
Adding fibre-rich food and drinking enough water helps in preventing this condition.
A doctor’s help is needed when self-management does not help.

How can Bangalore Gastro Centre help you?

Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospital in Bangalore is the top-rated gastro centre in Karnataka. The top gastroenterologists and nutritionists work collaboratively to provide you with the best treatment for fissures. The centre offers endoscopy and colonoscopy tests to diagnose the root cause of fissures. The facility also offers laser treatment for fissures.

Make an appointment with our best gastro doctors today if you are looking for the best anal fissure treatment in Bangalore.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is one of the forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It happens when the lining of the colon or rectum becomes inflamed, causing problems such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhoea. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that requires specialist management with an experienced Gastroenterologist at the Bangalore Gastroenterology Centre.

What causes Ulcerative Colitis (UC) ?The causes of UC aren’t fully understood, but we do know that it is associated with your immune system. Ulcerative colitis seems to happen when your immune system starts attacking your own cells. Scientists believe that in ulcerative colitis, the inflammation could happen because the immune system gets confused by the good bacteria that live in your gut. One of the ways your immune system tries to defend you is by recruiting white blood cells to your gut, which causes inflammation.When you have an infection, this can help to get rid of the bad bacteria. However, if your immune system starts attacking the good bacteria that are always present in your digestive system, the immune response lasts longer than usual. The inflammation starts to cause problems for your digestion, and it keeps coming back every time your immune system is incorrectly stimulated.Another theory is that the immune system is in fact triggered by an infection. It fights off the bad bacteria or viruses, but it doesn’t stop. The immune response continues after the infection is gone, so your gut continues to suffer from inflammation.While we still don’t know exactly what causes your immune system to malfunction, we do know that there are some factors that can affect your chances of developing colitis

If other people in your family have IBD, you may be more likely to develop it yourself as there seems to be a genetic component
Lifestyle may also play a part, as ulcerative colitis is more common in developed countries such as the UK, USA, Australia
The incidence of Ulcerative colitis is however increasing steadily in India

How is the Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis made?If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be colitis, you should seek advice from a Medical Gastroenterologist particularly if you have lost weight or noticed blood in your stool. It is important to find out what is causing these problems.In order to provide a diagnosis, the Medical Gastroenterologist may need to perform the following checks:

A physical exam to look for abdominal tenderness or paleness caused by anaemia (low blood count)
A blood test to see if you are anaemic and to assess the amount of inflammation in your body
Testing a stool sample to rule out an infection, which could cause similar symptoms to ulcerative colitis
Testing the stool sample to check for inflammation.
A colonoscopy to examine the colon directly for inflammation
Lab tests on biopsies taken during colonoscopy, to confirm the presence of ulcerative colitis and help rule out Crohn’s disease
In some patients, CT scan to check for any serious complications of IBD

What is the treatment for Ulcerative Colitis?Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure for ulcerative colitis, so treatment will focus on preventing flare-ups from happening often and relieving the symptoms when they do. The most common way we achieve this is by using medications and keeping the colitis under control/remission.People with Ulcerative Colitis can lead a completely normal life without any changes to their diet.

Cronhs Disease

What is Crohn’s disease?Crohn’s disease is a disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) system involving intestinal wall inflammation. Any part of the GI system, from mouth to anus, can be affected.This condition affects about one in 1500 to 3000 people. It can happen at any age and usually begins at the age of 15 to 30 years. It affects females slightly more often than males. The incidence of Crohn’s is increasing all over the world as well as in India.

Which part of the GI system is affected by Crohn’s disease? The most common site where the disease spreads most is the ileum, the last part of the small intestine. The colon is the second most common site to get affected.Inflammation’s patch may be small or widespread. Multiple patches of inflammation may also appear in non-inflamed areas of the gut.

What causes Crohn’s disease?The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. There are different theories laid to explain the cause:

Genetic factors – close relatives suffer from this condition, indicating a role of the genes in its occurrence.
Germ theory – bacteria or viruses can also be involved. The attack of bacteria or viruses triggers the immune system to evoke gut inflammation.
Smoking – smokers are affected more than non-smokers.

What are the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease?The symptoms are seen during a flare-up of the disease due to inflammation in the wall of the affected parts of the GI tract. One or more of the following clinical features can be seen:

Pain at the affected site – It may occur in about 7 in 10 cases. The most common site of the pain is the lower right side of the abdomen. Sometimes Crohn’s disease mimics appendicitis. The pain severity varies from person to person.
Diarrhoea is the first symptom observed in most cases. It can be mild or severe. The stool contains mucus, pus or blood. Tenesmus (fruitless urge for bowel movement) can be seen.
Unintentional weight loss is another common symptom.
Blood in the stool can be observed due to ulcers of the gut lining.
Anaemia is another consequence due to bleeding.
A general feeling of unwellness with tiredness, fever, and loss of appetite may be observed.
Mouth ulcers are not uncommon.
Anal fissures (painful ‘cracks’ around the anus) may occur. Small wart-like lumps (skin tags) may also appear around the anal area.

How does it progress?Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition which means that it is a long-term condition. Sometimes there may be few or no symptoms, known as remission. However, it can relapse after some time as a flare-up. The frequency and severity of symptoms vary from person to person. Most often, the first symptoms or first episode are the worst.

What are the complications of Crohn’s disease?Several complications can arise and often need treatment with surgery.

Stricture, which means narrowing the gut, can be seen due to scar tissue formation. Stricture may cause vomiting with pain as it obstructs the passage of food.
Perforation (a small hole) can form in the gut wall through which the gut’s contents can leak out. It may further cause an abscess or infection inside the abdomen. This condition can be life-threatening.
Fistulas can also occur. A fistula is an abnormal opening between two parts of the body.
Crohn’s disease carries a small increased risk of colon cancer.
Osteoporosis (bones’ thinning) may be seen due to poor absorption of calcium and vitamin D.

What are the tests to diagnose Crohn’s disease?The tests which help in the diagnosis and determining the disease severity are the following:

Colonoscopy or gastroscopy, where the gastroenterologist will look inside the colon, ileum, and stomach using a flexible endoscope.
MRI or CT scan, which may be needed if the diagnosis is in doubt.
Blood test to assess the level of inflammation within the gut, to assess your general wellbeing, and to check for anaemia and other deficiencies.

How is it treated?The treatment approach is based on various factors like the severity of symptoms and their association with other symptoms. The decision of treatment can be complex. The multiple options for treatment are the following:

Wait and watch – No treatment is needed when the symptoms are very mild. Some symptoms may settle down on their own.
Use of steroids (corticosteroids) – to treat any flare-ups. Steroids are discontinued once a flare-up has settled.
Antibiotics – They are used if infective complications are suspected.
Immunosuppressant drugs – They are used to suppress the immune system. These drugs have significantly impacted the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
Aminosalicylate drugs – They are thought to counter inflammation in Crohn’s disease. These are used rarely. These drugs come in different brand names and preparations, such as sachets or suspension, oral tablets or suppositories, and liquid or foam enemas. Depending on the site of the inflammation in the gut, the type of preparation is chosen.
Surgery- If other treatments do not work. Surgery is also used when there is a complication like chronic fistulas, strictures, and abscesses.
Dietary treatments – These are elemental diets that involve a liquid diet containing essential proteins and other nutrients. They are beneficial in some cases. They are mainly used in children. The diet can settle down a flare-up in four weeks, and a regular diet is started gradually after that. An elemental diet may be an alternative for people whose medication has not worked well or has caused harmful side effects.
Supplements – Increased folate supplements and certain drugs are needed if Crohn’s disease happens during pregnancy.

Summary : Crohn’s disease is a chronic disease with a range of digestive symptoms that sometimes may become life-threatening. Timely management is much needed here.Various treatments are available, and a gastroenterologist, after discussion with the patient, selects one which suits best. New drugs and therapies are evolving, giving a positive ray of hope.

Constipation

What is constipation?

Every person has a unique pattern of bowel movements, and it is considered normal if the pattern has no deviations. Constipation is a condition when you have difficulty moving the bowels and bowel movements become infrequent, fewer than three in a week. Occasional bouts of constipation are common due to changes in diet. But some people experience chronic constipation for several months.

What are the signs and symptoms of constipation?

Dry and hard stools
Infrequent bowel movements
Difficulty in passing stools
A feeling of not having emptied the bowels fully
Feeling of blockage in the rectum
Pain while passing stools
Blood in stools

What causes constipation?

Stools are formed when the colon absorbs water from the remnants of undigested or partially digested food passed into the large intestine. Constipation gives the colon more time to absorb water from the stools, making them dry, hard, and difficult to pass. The common causes of constipation include:

A low-fibre diet
Less or no physical activity
Hormonal disorders of thyroid or parathyroid glands
Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
Pregnancy and postpartum
Use of various medicines like narcotics, antacids, iron supplements, antidepressants, and pain medications
Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
Dehydration
Gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease
Issues with muscles and nerves in the digestive system
Eating disorders
Colon cancer
Bowel obstruction

What are the tests to diagnose constipation?

A doctor will ask questions about your medical and bowel movement history and perform a physical examination.
A doctor may also order routine or specialised tests to determine the cause. The tests may include abdominal X-rays, blood tests, colonoscopy tests, and colonic transit (marker) studies.

How is constipation treated?

Constipation treatment involves lifestyle and dietary changes, medicines, exercises, and in severe cases, surgery.

Self-care:

Drinking more water
Avoiding alcohol and caffeine
Adding fibre to the diet in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, bran cereal, prunes
Avoiding low-fibre foods like meat, cheese, eggs, refined grains
Limiting dairy products
Taking over-the-counter fibre supplements
Taking over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives, if needed; however, overuse of laxatives could worsen constipation
Squatting on the toilet, raising feet or leaning back to make bowel movements easier
Going to the toilet immediately after feeling the urge

Medicine:

A doctor may review the current medications and change the products which could cause constipation. As a first step in the medical treatment for constipation, a doctor may prescribe other laxatives like:

Emollients laxatives – wetting agents that facilitate entry of water into the colon and stools to soften them
Lubricative laxatives – mineral oils that prevent stools from drying out
Hyperosmolar laxatives – unabsorbable compounds that help retain water in the stools
Saline laxatives – non-absorbable ions that help increase fluid in the colon
Stimulant laxatives – medicines that stimulate the movement of gut muscles to push the stools

Exercises:

A doctor may also suggest a biofeedback method as an approach to constipation treatment. They involve various exercises for people with pelvic floor dysfunction. These exercises will help contract and relax muscles during passing stools.

Surgery:

Surgery is rarely performed as a treatment for constipation. It is considered in patients with intestinal disorders like colonic inertia. It involves removing the entire colon except for the rectum, which is joined to the small intestine.

What are the complications of constipation?

Constipation can sometimes lead to other health issues like:

Haemorrhoids – swollen veins in the rectum
Anal fissures – tears in the anal lining due to hardened stools
Diverticulitis – infections in the pouches formed on the colon wall due to trapped stool
Rectal prolapse – protruding intestines from the anus
Faecal impaction – a build-up of stool in the rectum and anus
Damage to pelvic floor muscles due to straining while passing stools
Stress urinary incontinence – urine leakage from the bladder due to too much muscle straining

Summary:

Constipation can be managed through diet and lifestyle changes. If the problem persists, your doctor may prescribe medicines, pelvic floor exercises, or switch medications causing constipation.
Seek medical care when you see blood in stools, experience severe pain while passing stools, or lose weight unintentionally.

How can Bangalore Gastro Centre help you?

Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospital in HSR Layout, Bangalore, has an excellent team of top gastroenterologists and nutritionists who will work as a team to provide constipation treatment. The centre also offers a colonoscopy test, which can help you diagnose the root cause of chronic constipation. Make an appointment at BGC today if you are looking for constipation treatment in Bengaluru.

Haemorrhoids

Do you often see blood in stool? Do you feel discomfort or a lump-like sensation in the anus? These symptoms signal piles or haemorrhoids. They are common in both males and females. Many people have haemorrhoids but with no symptoms.

What are haemorrhoids or piles?

Haemorrhoids or piles are enlarged or swollen veins in and around the anus. When the swelling is above the anal opening, they are called internal haemorrhoids. If they are outside the anal opening or under the skin around the anus, they are called external haemorrhoids.

Why do they occur?

Haemorrhoids may develop due to repeated straining during bowel movements, sometimes because of longstanding constipation or diarrhoea.
They are seen commonly in any condition that increases pressure inside the abdomen.
They are also seen during pregnancy due to the pressure of the baby’s weight over the rectum and anus. Piles in pregnancy are very common and may require treatment.

What are the symptoms of haemorrhoids?

Internal haemorrhoids

Painless, can’t be felt or seen from outside
Discomfort while straining to pass stool
Bleeding from the anus while or after passing stool may be the only symptom.

External haemorrhoids

Itching around anus
A feeling of a lump around the anus, it can be tender to touch
Bleeding while or after passing stool
Usually not painful, but a sense of discomfort can be present.

How are haemorrhoids diagnosed?

The doctor will carry out a physical examination after the symptom evaluation.
A doctor may need to perform a digital rectal examination.
Sometimes additional tests such as a proctoscopy or colonoscopy tests are suggested to exclude other diseases. These tests involve using a camera inside the anus, rectum, and colon to visualise any abnormality.

What are the self-help tips for haemorrhoids?

Simple lifestyle changes can prevent and help treat the problem of haemorrhoids.

Eating high-fibre foods, fruits, and vegetables.
Replacing refined flour with fibrous grains like oats
Drinking enough water
Taking stool softeners or fibre supplements like psyllium
Avoiding sitting too long on the toilet seat and straining during bowel movements
Taking a sitz bath to ease swelling and discomfort. A Sitz bath involves sitting in a plastic tub filled with warm water and sinking just a few inches of the bottom parts.

What are the treatment options for haemorrhoids?

Medications

A doctor may prescribe ointments, pads, suppositories, and creams with lidocaine or hydrocortisone, which can provide temporary pain relief.

Thrombectomy

A doctor may remove the external blood clot when a patient is under local anaesthesia to provide instant relief.

Minimally invasive procedures

People with persistently painful and bleeding haemorrhoids may be offered these outpatient procedures.

Rubber band ligation:

Small rubber bands are placed around the base of the internal haemorrhoid to stop blood circulation to that area. It causes the haemorrhoid to fall off after some days.

Sclerotherapy:

It involves injecting a chemical solution into haemorrhoids. This procedure can cause them to shrink.

Coagulation:

This procedure uses infrared light, heat, or laser to cause haemorrhoids to harden and shrink. It causes minimal discomfort.

Surgery

Haemorrhoid removal surgery:

This surgery is called haemorrhoidectomy and involves removing excess tissue which is causing bleeding. The patient will be under anaesthesia during the procedure. It is the most effective way to treat recurring haemorrhoids completely. However, it can cause pain after surgery and difficulty emptying the urinary bladder, leading to urinary tract infections.

Haemorrhoid stapling surgery:

This surgery, called stapled haemorrhoidopexy, involves stopping blood circulation to the internal haemorrhoid. It is less painful than a haemorrhoidectomy. However, it can lead to rectal prolapse.

What are the complications of Haemorrhoids?

They can cause anaemia due to recurrent bleeding.
Internal piles may also strangulate and can cause pain. It happens when the muscles in the anus cut off blood flow to prolapsed internal haemorrhoids.
Haemorrhoids may also cause blood clots. They are called thrombosed haemorrhoids.
Extra skin or skin tags may be left behind after the haemorrhoids dissolve.

Bottomline:

Haemorrhoids are very common and are not serious. But recurrent bleeding and anal discomfort associated with them may affect the quality of life.
It can be managed at home with some lifestyle changes.
It is best to seek help from a gastroenterologist if the problem persists longer with recurring symptoms.

How can Bangalore Gastro Centre help you?

Haemorrhoids are not life-threatening, and they do not pose any serious risk. They often go away on their own. But if you are experiencing persisting pain or discomfort and looking for a piles specialist in Bangalore, make an appointment with top gastroenterologists at Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospital today. The gastro centre offers colonoscopy tests to understand the root cause of your condition and both piles and fissure treatments. The facility also offers laser treatment for piles. Call us today to learn more about haemorrhoids treatment, piles laser treatment costs and procedures.

Encompassing All Accessible Exclusive Medical Treatment

We offer extensive medical procedures to outbound and inbound patients.

Fatty Liver

Bloating

Lactose Intolerance

Anal Fissure

Ulcerative Colitis

Cronhs Disease

Constipation

Haemorrhoids

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