A literary review of Arśas (haemorrhoids).

The disease Arśas (hemorrhoids), an ano-rectal disorder is as old as mankind. Suśrta farther of surgery described the Arśas under heading of 'Mahagadas' (eight major diseases). Due to inconsistency of human diet and social obligations, a large proportion of the population is suffering from hemorrhoids. As per Ayurveda, the etiological factors are broadly classified as Sămănya (Non-specific) and Viśĕsa (Specific). Viśĕsa again sub divided in to Sahaja and Janmottara. Suśrta classified this disease on the basis of clinical manifestations in to six types, where as Caraka and Văgbhata classified in to two according to discharging nature and causative factors respectively.