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Haemorrhoids, known as Arsha in Ayurveda are an ano-rectal disorder which affect people all over the world irrespective of age groups and economical groups. It is becoming very common now a days and is distressing too. Increased intake of processed food, growing mental tension, improper sleep, long working hours especially sedentary lifestyle and suppressing natural urges especially that of urination and defecation is increasing the incidence of Haemorrhoids now a days. There are many types of haemorrhoids and cause many complications. Haemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the wall of the anus commonly occurring in three main points equidistant around the circumference of anus. Haemorrhoids are often described as the varicose veins of the anus and rectum. Haemorrhoids are described in all Ayurveda classics. Acharya Susrutha has even mentioned it as one of the eight grave diseases.
Understanding Haemorrhoids in Ayurveda
Improper functioning of digestive fire is the main cause of most of the digestive system disorders.
Irregularity in Digestive fire is the cause of most of the problems related to the digestive system. Disturbed digestive fire or low digestive fire known as Mandagni leads to constipation. Improper diet and irregular bowel habits disrupts the normal digestive process affecting proper digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body further leading to constipation.
A person suffering from constipation will develop habit of straining during defecation to evacuate the bowels which increases back pressure into the haemorrhoidal veins and produces haemorrhoids. The perianal skin is one of the most pain sensitive region in the body because of rich nerve endings. Hence even a small amount of pain causes great discomfort to the patient. The problem worsens with age and time.
Haemorrhoids, Sprue syndrome and Diarrhoea are causative factors for each other due to imbalance of digestive fire.
There is a simile in Ayurveda stating that just like an enemy trouble a person, inflamed and swollen veins in the anus obstructs the anal canal and troubles the person in haemorrhoids.
Different stages of Haemorrhoids
In first degree haemorrhoids, bleeding is the main symptom and there is no enlargement of veins at the anus. In second degree haemorrhoids, the pile mass protrudes beyond the anus but returns spontaneously after defecation and in third degree haemorrhoids, the pile mass remains outside the anus and needs to be pushed back by pressure.
Understanding Guda (Ano-Rectum)
Haemorrhoids occur in the Guda (Ano-Rectum) which is a Mamsa Marma that is vital points of the muscle tissue of the body where Prana (vital) energy flows. It is a Sadhya Pranahara Marma that is an important vital organ the damage to which will cause immediate death. It is one of the seats of life, known as Pranayatana in Ayurveda because proper action of it is necessary for functioning of the body. The main function of Guda is the elimination of faecal matter and flatus.
Ano-rectum is a soft part derived from the maternal factor and formed from the essence of blood tissue and Kapha Dosha. The hollow or tubular structure is because of the Pitta and Vata Dosha manifestation.
Guda is the distal part of the large intestine and is 4 and half angula (approx. 7.5 cm) in length, formed with 3 vali or folds, each one about 2.5 cm in length and namely Pravahini, Visarjini and Samvarani. They are like spiral grooves of a conch shell and like the palate of an elephant in colour.
Pravahini is the first and inner most fold of Guda which is attached to the rectum and it initiates the sensation of pulsation and pushes the faecal matter downwards. Visarjini is the second or middle part of the anal canal which helps in moving the faecal matter forward by its expansion and aids in its expulsion. Samvarini is the third and distal part just above the opening of the anus which opens when the faecal matter comes from above and closes after its expulsion.
Gudaoushta is the outer most part of the anus attached to the Samvarini. It is about 1 cm in length and width of the size of half barley.
Arshas occurs in any of these folds, the deeper the occurrence of Arshas, the more time it takes to treat.
Causative Factors of Arsha
Aharaja: Diet factors
Viharaja: Lifestyle factors
Other factors include hereditary or familial tendencies, congenital factors, local abnormalities like boils, tumour, abscess or cancer.
Pathogenesis of Arsha
Indulgence in the above-mentioned causative factors will lead to low digestive fire, imbalance in Apana Vata, one of the 5 types of Vata Dosha which is mainly present in the rectum and constipation. This in turn leads to vitiation of other Doshas along with the involvement of blood tissue. These vitiated Doshas and blood tissue then enters into the passage of Dhamani (veins) affecting the folds of the anal canal, and involving the muscle, fat and skin representing the anal cushions leading to haemorrhoids. (Reference 1)
The factors involved in pathogenesis of haemorrhoids are summarised in the below table.
DOSHAS |
|
TISSUES |
|
CIRCULATORY CHANNELS |
|
TYPE OF AFFLICTION IN CIRCULATORY CHANNELS |
Siragranthi (Venous Swelling) |
SITE OF MANIFESTATION |
Three folds of the anal canal |
PATHWAY OF DISEASE |
|
STATUS OF DIGESTIVE FIRE |
Low |
Types of Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are classified into different types based on various factors.
Two types based on origin –
Acquired type is again classified into the further subtypes which are as follows.
Two types based on nature –
Bleeding type is further classified into the below types –
Two types based on site –
Six types based on Dosha Predominance –
Premonitory Signs of Arsha
Main symptoms are
Other symptoms include indigestion, constipation, low digestive fire, anal fissure, prolapsed rectum.
Symptoms of different types of haemorrhoids are as follows.
Congenital Haemorrhoids
The pile mass is yellowish in colour, hard, strong, visible with difficulty and painful.
Acquired Haemorrhoids
Symptoms of acquired haemorrhoids are different based on Dosha predominance and is summarized below.
Ayurveda treatment aims to help to fibrose the haemorrhoidal tissue onto the underlying anal sphincter, thus restoring support for these vascular cushions and thereby preventing complications.
Although haemorrhoids are a local disease, it starts from the gastrointestinal system. Improper functioning of Agni, that is low digestive fire leads to malformation of stools which become difficult to excrete, hence the person starts straining unconsciously to eliminate the stools from the body. Hence first line of treatment should be to correct the digestive fire using digestives and carminatives thereby restoring normal digestive process. The usage of Vata Anulomana herbs will help in downward movement of stools thereby expelling them easily.
The line of treatment of dry haemorrhoids and bleeding haemorrhoids are different. Bheshaja Aushadhi (Medicinal treatment) suggested in Ayurveda text books are conservative and the following steps are involved in the management of Haemorrhoids.
Following table shows the suggested Ayurveda treatments when different Doshas are involved.
Dosha predominance / Type of Haemorrhoids |
Suitable therapy / herbs |
VATA |
Snehana: Internal & External oleation Swedana: Fomentation Vamana: Therapeutic Vomiting Virechana: Therapeutic purgation Basti: Medicated enema |
PITTA |
Virechana: Purgation |
RAKTA |
Shamana: Pacification procedures Rakta Sthambhaka: Haemostatic treatments Tikta Aushadi Prayoga: Use of bitter herbs |
KAPHA |
Use of Dry ginger and Horse gram |
RAKTA + VATA |
Sneha Pana: Oral intake of ghee Sneha Abhyanga: Oil massage Sneha Basti: Oil enema Unctuous and Cold drugs |
RAKTA + KAPHA |
Dry and Cold drugs |
KAPHA + PITTA |
Shodhana: Detoxification |
SRAVI / BLEEDING |
Vatsaka |
SUSHKA / NON-BLEEDING |
Bhallataka |
ALL TYPES |
Takra: Buttermilk |
To relieve constipation, the following recipes are suggested.
Wholesome Diet
|
Wholesome Lifestyle
|
|
|
Unwholesome Diet
|
Unwholesome Lifestyle
|
|
|
The above treatments will help in reducing haemorrhoids, pain, itching and swelling by bringing equilibrium of Doshas, reducing venous congestion.
If you wish to consult Ayurveda, you may choose to contact one of our Ayurveda Practitioners Gurnam Saini or Pooja Saini in Melbourne. Both of our practitioners are Qualfied Ayurveda Doctors from India. You may contact us at "Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic". People who can't reach us personally, may choose for online Ayurveda consultation.
www.PureHerbalAyurved.com.au
PH- 0061 430 799 515
Email- PureHerbalClinic@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The information on any of the Ayurvedic Products, Ayurvedic treatment, Ayurvedic Medicines or other services on Pure Herbal Ayurved clinic website is for educational purposes only. One should not buy these products over the counter or online. Ayurvedic products should only be taken after Ayurvedic consultation with a Registered Ayurvedic Practitioner. Some of the Traditional Ayurvedic Products described in our website may mention heavy metals or some prohibited plants used in Ayurvedic practice in India. The reader should understand that these products are not used by Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic as a Registered Ayurveda Practice in Australia. Reader should not assume that all of the products mentioned on the website are available for prescription in Australia. The uses and indications of these herbal products are based on Traditional Ayurvedic text books as a guide for readers, but not for self medication. Ayurvedic herbal products should be supplemented with appropriate diet and lifestyle to get beneficial effects. Ayurveda treatment is time tested for centuries, yet some of the Ayurvedic herbal products might not hold enough scientific research based evidence. We suggest that you discuss your Ayurvedic treatment plan with your medical practitioner to ensure safe and effective use.
Author Bio:
Gurnam Saini has over 15 years’ experience in Ayurvedic naturopathy treatments in Melbourne, Australia. He has completed his bachelor degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, India. He has done MD in Alternative Medicine and certificate courses in Panchakarma Detox, Pulse diagnosis and skin care. He is also a member of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda (AAA). He has won awards for ground-breaking work in Ayurveda globally. Read More
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