disease
Piles (Hemorrhoids)
Piles (Hemorrhoids)
What is piles ?
Dilatation of radicles of rectal veins within the anal canal is called piles.The medical term for piles is hemorrhoids.Compared to arteries veins are weak due to thin walls and hence any backpressure in the veins can make them tortuous.There are three rectal veins namely superior, middle and inferior rectal veins.Any obstructions or increase of pressure in these veins can predispose piles.
Depending upon the situation there are two types of piles.
1) External piles. 2) Internal piles.
1) External piles:-
This type of piles is seen outside the anal opening and is covered by skin.It is black or brown in colour.This type of piles is very painful due to rich nerve supply in this area.
2) Internal piles:-
It is inside the anal canal and internal to the anal orifice.It is covered by mucous membrane and is red or purple in colour.These piles are painless.
Some times internal and external piles occure in same individual.
Factors responsible for piles:–
1) This is a familial disease.
2) Piles is seen only in animals maintain an erect posture. This is due to congestion in the rectal veins due to the effect of gravity.
3) It is common in individuals having chronic constipation.Those who have a habit of visiting the toilet due to frequent urge for stool may develop piles in future.
4) Piles is common in those who take excess of chicken, prawns, spicy food ect.Those who take vegetables and fibrous food are rarely affected.
5) Some ladies get piles during pregnancy due to compression of rectal veins by the uterus.
6) Cancerous lesions in the rectum can obstruct blood flow and result in piles.
Signs and symptoms of piles:–
1) Pain:-
Pain is common in external piles which will be worse while straining at stool.
2) Bleeding:-
Bleeding comes in splashes while pressing for stool.Bleeding may be profuse in some cases.
3) Protruding mass:-
In external piles the swelling can be felt around the anal orifice.In case of internal piles initially it can not be felt.When the disease progresses the piles protrude during stool and will go inside automatically.When the condition becomes worse the protruded piles will not go back in to the anus.
4) In some cases there will be discharge of mucus with itching around the anal orifice.
Complications of piles:–
1,Infection: The infection can spread to deep veins resulting in septicaemia.
2,Fibrosis: Here the piles become fibrosed with hardening of anal orifice.
3,Thrombosis: Here the blood inside the piles will form clots and can obstruct blood flow.
4,Gangrene: Here the tissues in the piles and nearby skin die due to lack of blood supply.
5,Suppuration: When the piles suppurate it can produce abscess with discharge of pus.
Treatment of piles:–
Initially it is treated on the basis of symptoms.Constipation should be treated.If there is anaemia iron should be give.Homoeopathic medicines can give good results. If medicinal treatment is not giving any result the following can be tried.
1) The thrombosed external pile is excised under local anaesthesia.
2) Sclerosant injection therapy can reduce the size of piles.
3) Rubber band ligation around the neck of piles is useful in some cases.
4) Cryosurgery is very effective.
5) Anal dilatation can reduce constipation and pain.
6) Haemorrhoidectomy is the surgical removal of piles.
How to prevent piles?
1) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
2) Take fibrous food.
3) Avoid excess intake of meat,prawns,crabs ect.
4) Keep a regular timing for food.
6) Drink sufficient quantity of water.
7) Keep a regularity in bowel habits.
Take treatment for constipation.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy

It is a non progressive neuromuscular disorder causing mild to severe disabilities throughout life.This condition is manifested as a group of persisting qualitative motor disorders which appear in young children due to damage to the brain during delivery or due to some pathological conditions in the intrauterine life.The neuroligical problems are multiple but non progressive in nature.Approximately 2 per 100 live birth is having this problem.This disease is having no hereditary tendency.
Causes of cerebral palsy:
1) Injury to the brain during delivery.
2) As a complication of forceps delivery.
3) Lack of oxygen supply to the baby during delivery.
4) Infections during delivery.
Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy:–
The signs and symptoms may not be similar in all babies affected.Depending upon the damage to the brain there may be mild to severe lesions.
Mild cases:- 20% children will have mild disability.
Moderate cases:-50% cases are having moderate disability.The affected children require self help for assisting their impaired ambulation capacity.
Severe cases:-About 30% of the affected children are totally incapacited and bedridden and they allways need care from others.
Abnormal findings in cerebral palsy:-
1,Abnormal neonatal reflexes.
2,Stiffness of all muscles with awkward motion.
3,Extention of extremities on vertical suspension of the infant.
4,Scissoring of the lower limbs due to spasm of the adductor muscles of the thigh.
5,In severe cases the back bend backwards like and arch.
6,May have total or partial paralysis.
7,Arrest of neurological and behavioral developement.
8,Swallowing may be difficult in some cases.
9,Drooling of saliva.
10,Mild to severe mental retardations.
11,Abnormal movements are seen in some cases.
12,Tremors with typical movements.
13,If cerebellum is affected there will be loss of muscle tone with difficulty in walking.
14,Complete or partial loss of hearing.
15,Speech may be affected.
16,Squint and other visual problems may be associated.
17,Convulsions may be seen in some children.
Cerebral palsy is diagnosed by detailed clinical examination and by eliminating other similar diseases like brain tumour, progressive atrophy ect.All investigations like CT scan,MRI and routine investigations are needed to ruleout other diseases.
Management of carebral palsy:–
General management:
This includes proper nutrition and personal care. Symptomatic medicines are needed to reduce convulsions and muscle stiffness. Diazepam can reduce spasticity and athetosis.
Dantrolene sodium helps to relax skeletal muscles.
Physiotherapy:
Here massage,exercise, hydrotherapy and ect are needed.Special training is given to train walking,swallowing and talking.The affected children are also trained to hold articles for routine activities.
Rehabilitation:
Moral and social support should be given to these children.They should be send to special schools where special training can be given by trained staff.Mentally retarded children need special training.Depending up on the disabitity special instruments and machines are given for locomotion and to assist their daytoday activities.
Occupational therapy:
This is given by occupational therapists.They train the disabled people to do some suitable works so that these people can have their own income.



