Are Piles and Hemorrhoids the Same?

Are piles and hemorrhoids the same thing? Yes, hemorrhoids is the medical term used to describe swollen veins located in and around the anus and rectum. Piles is an informal term used to describe the same condition. But how did they get these names? What symptoms do they cause and when should you seek treatment? Here’s what you need to know.

Are Piles and Hemorrhoids the Same?

These are two different names for the same condition. The word hemorrhoid has Greek and Latin origins that loosely translate to bleeding veins. Piles, on the other hand, is derived from the Latin word for ball, referencing the shape of a hemorrhoid. Both terms describe some of the common external and internal hemorrhoid symptoms, including: 

• Swollen veins that bulge or protrude from the anal opening
• Itching
• Rectal Bleeding
• Leaking of mucus or even fecal matter
• Feeling full in the rectum
• Bowel discomfort

What is the Difference Between a Hemorrhoid and a Pile?

These two terms are used interchangeably, but there are two different types of hemorrhoids: internal and external piles.

Internal hemorrhoids form inside your rectum, and are graded on a severity level of 1 through 4 based on the degree of protrusion from the anus. They typically cause bleeding and itching. You can learn more about what stage of hemorrhoid you have here.

External hemorrhoids form beneath the skin surrounding your anus.  They can be swollen, itchy and painful.  

Some people have mixed hemorrhoids, meaning they develop both internally and externally, resulting in a combination of symptoms.

Do Piles Go Away On Their Own?

Mild hemorrhoids (stage 1) may self-resolve, especially with lifestyle changes that reduce your risk factors. (These include sitting less; softening your stool through dietary changes; avoiding straining when passing bowel movements; and getting regular exercise.) However, stage 2-4 internal hemorrhoids often require medical intervention. And, since stage 4 hemorrhoids typically require surgical treatment, many patients prefer seeking intervention before their piles progress to that point.

Want relief from the itching, bleeding and discomfort of stage 2-3 internal piles? The interventional radiologists at the Texas Hemorrhoid Institute perform HAE, or hemorrhoid artery embolization, a medical procedure that can treat internal hemorrhoids at these stages without the need for surgery. You can learn more and explore your HAE candidacy by requesting a consultation [/tx-appt-link.]