Dr Atul Deshpande | Piles Specialist | Ch. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra |
One of the most common beliefs among patients with piles (hemorrhoids) is that drinking more water alone will cure the problem. While hydration is important for digestive health, piles are not a condition that simply disappears with increased water intake, especially when treatment is delayed.
Understanding what water can—and cannot—do is crucial to avoiding complications.
Many patients associate piles with constipation. Since drinking water helps soften stools, it is often assumed that:
More water will stop bleeding
Pain and swelling will reduce on their own
Medical treatment can be avoided
This belief leads many patients to ignore symptoms and postpone consultation, which often worsens the condition.
Adequate water intake:
Softens stools
Reduces straining during bowel movements
Supports overall digestive health
Water is an important supportive measure, but it does not treat swollen blood vessels, inflammation, or advanced piles.
Piles develop due to:
Increased pressure in rectal veins
Chronic straining
Prolonged sitting
Weakening of supportive tissues
Once piles have formed, they do not shrink or disappear with water intake alone.
Many patients continue to drink more water while:
Bleeding persists
Pain increases
Piles progress from early to advanced stages
Delayed treatment often results in larger piles, severe pain, thrombosis, or infection, making recovery longer and more difficult.
Early-stage piles may respond well to:
Diet correction
Medications
Lifestyle changes
However, moderate to advanced piles require medical or minimally invasive procedures. Relying only on water delays effective treatment.
Ignoring piles symptoms while trying home measures can lead to:
Chronic bleeding and anemia
Severe pain and swelling
Emergency situations due to clotted piles
Need for more invasive procedures later
Early treatment is usually simpler, less painful, and more successful.
Consult a specialist if you notice:
Bleeding during bowel movements
Persistent pain or itching
Swelling or lump near the anus
Symptoms not improving despite diet changes
Seeking help early prevents complications and speeds up recovery.
Drinking more water is helpful—but it is not a cure for piles. Believing otherwise often delays proper treatment and leads to worse outcomes.
If piles symptoms persist, early consultation with a qualified proctologist ensures accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and long-term relief.