Piles are abnormally swollen veins inside the rectum and anal canal.
They are classified into two types:
- Internal hemorrhoids: These swollen veins lie inside the rectum prior to the anal sphincter.
- External hemorrhoids: These swollen veins develop under the skin around the anus and lie beyond the anal sphincter.
Internal Piles are further graded into 4 types:
| GRADES | CHARACTERISTICS |
| Grade 1 | Small swellings inside the anal canal. They cannot be seen or felt from outside |
| Grade 2 | Larger and partly protrude outside the anus while passing motions. However, they immediately spring back inside on their own. |
| Grade 3 | Protrude outside the anus while passing motions and do not return inside on their own. However, they can easily be pushed back inside with one's fingers. |
| Grade 4 | Permanently hanging outside the anus and cannot be pushed back inside. They can sometimes become very large and bleed. |
