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HAEMORRHOIDS (PILES)
Hemorrhoids are always with you – everybody has them. The last 4 cm or so of the anal canal are lined with a spongy hemorrhoidal (or haemorrhoidal depending on where you are) tissue containing blood vessels, muscles and fibrous tissues. When this sponge becomes enlarged or detached and slide into the anal canal, the form the condition known as hemorrhoids, or piles. The reason why this happens is not known exactly, though are a few theories. Some common ones are:
Inadequate fiber in the diet
Straining too much to have a bowel movement
Sitting too long on the toilet
Sitting on hot radiators
None of these have any scientific basis. It is known that pregnancy can causes enlarged hemorrhoids, though the reason for this is not clear. It is believed that the tissue which anchors the hemorrhoids to the muscle within the anus deteriorates for some reason, perhaps age or some underlying medical problem, and the tissue becomes detached and slides into the anal canal.
Hemorrhoids are also known as piles, and this how I shall henceforth refer to them as: it is easier! And in case anyone thinks I am treating the subject frivolously, I have had piles myself which required surgical removal, so I am quite aware of the pain and distress they can cause.
Any pressure on the veins draining blood upwards can cause piles in the same way that varicose veins are formed. Excess abdominal pressure or pelvic tumors can do this. This is probably where the cause of ‘sitting too long on the toilet’ originated. When reading newspapers or magazines on the toilet, people tend to bend downwards, so pressing on the abdomen.
Another theory proposes that it is the shearing force of hard faeces which pulls the spongy tissue downward towards the anus. Whatever the reason, external piles are due to the spongy tissue losing its moorings and being dragged downwards, either through the friction of the stool or the peristaltic motion of the rectal muscles.
However, the blood vessels are not all veins. In fact there are a number of small arteries pumping blood around the anal region, and the blood from piles is frequently bright red due to this .Internal hemorrhoids distended blood vessels which can rupture with the issue of copious quantities of bright red blood.
However, do not always assume that blood issuing from the anus is due to piles. It is not uncommon for some diseases to be confused with hemorrhoids. Rectal bleeding can also indicate the presence of cancers in the colon. In order that hemorrhoids are diagnosed, a doctor must be able to rule out other causes for the bleeding. A rectal and colonic examination is normally carried out for which special equipment is available.
Once hemorrhoids have been diagnosed for certain, there are various treatment options available from topical creams and ointment to surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. The rest is up to you.
Tips for Hemorrhoid Sufferers
Here are 15 tips which people suffering from piles should read. You may be aware of most of them,. but tghere may also be something here you did not know, or which may help your condition. I have had piles so bad that they had to be cut away, and everything below is valid. perhaps not to everyone, but all will be valid to someone.
Tip 1
The first thing you should do if you think you have hemorrhoids is to go and see your doctor for an examination. Bleeding in your stool can be a sign of something far more serious like cancer, chron’s disease or colitis. Colonoscopy is a procedure where your entire colon is examined with a lighted flexible tube to identify the source of the bleeding and to rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. But an experienced doctor will be able to tell very quickly if you have hemorrhoids and can put you on a course of treatment that can fix your problem. So make your next port of call your doctor.
Being overweight or obese is one of the main risk factors in the development of hemorrhoids, since the extra weight is believed to place pressure on the body's blood vessels and veins. Staying fit is one of the greatest preventative measures that any man can take in order to avoid the dreaded onset of hemorrhoids.
Tip 3
If you have bleeding from down there when you have a movement, make sure to see a medical professional rather quickly to make sure that the problem isn’t more serious. If it is hemorrhoids, a steady consumption of healthy levels of fiber and other good lifestyle choices, the bleeding long associated with hemorrhoid conditions can be easily controlled and managed to provide maximum comfort to hemorrhoids sufferers.
Tip 4
Modify Your Work and Home Habits
In order to reduce the pain of hemorrhoids, it is important that you modify your work and home habits. If you are required to stand for your work, be certain to take several breaks throughout the day. At home, you should also avoid excessive standing. Also, if you are required to do a lot of heavy lifting at work, you may need to change your job duties or take a break from work while you heal. Excessive heavy lifting can add a lot of stress to your body, causing considerable discomfort. Take breaks throughout the day, giving yourself the time to lie down to decrease the pressure on your anal area. Also, you should avoid spending too much time on the toilet. Even if you do not feel the consequences right away, the straining will eventually cause you discomfort, and maybe even severe pain.
Tip 5
Use Cold Compresses and Topical Agents as Necessary
In order to control the itching, swelling, and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids, you should be prepared to apply topical agents to the affect areas. These may include over the counter hemorrhoid creams designed to provide temporary relief. You may also wish to use products with witch hazel. Tucks, the popular commercial brand pads, contain witch hazel and are easy to use. Other topical agents you can use to provide comfort from redness, swelling and itching include aloe Vera gel and petroleum jelly.
Also, be prepared with cold compresses or ice packs to treat hemorrhoid-related discomfort. The cooling effect of these will provide a temporary respite from the pain and inflammation of hemorrhoids
Tip 6
Here are a tip for getting the most out of that crucial first doctor's visit.
- Make a list of questions to ask your doctor, especially if you are unfamiliar with all the symptoms, causes, and treatment of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are a very individual disease in the way that they affect each person differently. Treatment success can vary widely depending on the therapy used and the specific circumstances of each individual ways.
Tip 7
Try to find a specialist. Finding a specialist is especially a good idea if you have a chronic case of hemorrhoids, or if you suspect that your case may be more difficult to treat than others. Whatever your circumstances, try to find a specialist you can meet with if you find yourself with more questions than you think your general practice physician can deal with.
Tip 8
Here are a tip for getting the most out of that crucial first doctor's visit.
Seek out referrals from friends or family. Although sometimes it can be embarrassing to discuss, chances are that you already know someone you has suffered, or is suffering from, hemorrhoids. Try to find someone afflicted with the condition, and ask that individual about his or her physician. If they seem pleased with their doctor and the treatment options they are offered, ask for a referral.
Tip 9
One of the most important aspects of an anti-hemorrhoid diet has to do with fiber supplements. The question becomes: to supplement or not to supplement? This depends on your individual health profile. In general, fiber supplementation is a good idea if you would like to prevent or treat mild symptoms of hemorrhoids. Why? Because eating plenty of fiber (along with drinking lots of water) is much like 'oiling' your inner body. You should make it as easy as possible for your body to digest the food that you consume.
Tip 10
Here are a tip for getting the most out of that crucial first doctor's visit.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the doctor you choose. Think about it this way: you want to find a doctor you can feel comfortable with, because chances are that you'll have to spend some of the most surreal doctor visits of your life with them. Don't you want to make sure that you can spend those strange moments with a doctor you can talk openly with, and who you feel comfortable with?
Tip 11
Don't discount the ability of books to answer many of your questions. Although Internet groups and bulletin boards can answer many of your questions and give you some valuable feedback on different treatment options, books represent the distilled knowledge of years of nutritional and scientific research. If you would like to know more about the medical aspects of hemorrhoids, you can learn much from reading medical texts about the topic.
Tip 12
Hemorrhoids in pregnant women is quite common and due to the quick weight gain. The key though is to speak to your medical advisor about what you can do to relieve some of the itching and irritation as some herbal and natural remedies could contain substances that are best avoided when pregnant. Wraps, hydrotherapy and soft pillows are good to use. If you are pregnant and worried about hemorrhoids, resting your feet and taking breaks regularly will also help.
Tip 13
Once you have had hemorrhoids, they will likely occur again. Most likely, the symptoms will calm down after a few days and disappear on their own. If the hemorrhoids are more serious, they will need medication or even to be treated surgically. This will depend on the conditions that are associated with them. Over-the-counter medications are available if symptoms are not severe, or will help until you can see a doctor.
Tip 14
Above all, you should strive to make lifestyle choices that will help you heal both of these conditions. Changing your diet can be immensely helpful for dealing with both IBS and hemorrhoids. For instance, if you suffer from constipation, adding more fiber to your diet can help you achieve more regular bowel movements, and may help you avoid straining, which can be very detrimental if you suffer from hemorrhoids. If you can find a way to ease the symptoms of IBS, there is a good chance that you can ease the symptoms of hemorrhoids as well.
Tip 15
The vegetables that are the most rich in fiber include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and beans. If you are a fruit-lover, you should consume more peaches, oranges, apples and bananas—all high in fiber content. Most doctors aim for a steady consumption of approximately 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day.
Highly processed foods, and foods high in sugar, should be avoided as much as possible. Instead, opt for a diet rich in fiber, antioxidants, and the highly touted bioflavonoids. What kind of diet is this? The ideal diet would consist of plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You should also strive to drink plenty of liquids, and especially water. Think of your body as a vessel: the cleaner you can keep it, the less likely that it will develop hemorrhoids.
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