HEMORRHOID
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Pain has been since the existence of man associated with him, either feeling it on the whole body or some part of the body. It is an undesirable condition of the body where the body feels very inconvenient. Everybody at one point in time of his or her life has experienced one pain or the other, pain of the head, stomach, legs, etc. are some of the common pain felt by man. Usually when a part of the body is being painful, virtually other part of the body are affected too i.e. share in the pain. Man’s back contains a back bone whose lower part is where the pain is felt. There are several forms of pain that one feels at the lower part of the back, so many of them are as a result of stress, the kind of occupation you engage yourself with, if your occupation is such that you stand or sit or bend the back in a fixed position for a long period of time, you tend to have back pain, obviously going through the stress of the day at one’s place of work is usually accompanied with all sorts of pain. One the pain which commonly affect majority of people is hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoid is a pain that is felt at the lower part of the back very close or at the anus, it also and commonly called
Pile because of the sharp nature of the pain similar to that felt when the pile weapon is used to hit one, the pain sometimes extends at-times to the side of the hip, these two words are used interchangeably. It is type of pain usually which is usually associated with difficulty in stooling and even when stools come out, they are stained with blood. There are sometimes that some people even only stools blood. Technically defined, it is a condition where there is an abnormal swelling of the blood vessels that supply the anal canal with the nutrients. The anal canal where waste products of digestion known as faeces or stool, from the stomach pass swells and makes it difficult for the faeces to pass. In addition, the anal canal is made up of very fragile layers that are very sensitive to obnoxious substances or those seem to be, in this case the passing by faeces, that is why the pain is most felt during defeacation. The swollen part of the anus or the anal canal is usually internal as at its onset but in later stage, it can protrude out in externally and become very visible which is of varying colour ranging from light red to deep brown. The pain from hemorrhoid is usually painful, many affected subject or those that have had it described how painful they feel/felt during the ordeal. Inability to sit down is the most obvious and inevitable discomfort that characterize pile. The pain is so much that one will not be able to carry out one’s daily activities because of the lack of concentration due to the pain. Hemorrhoid has been associated to some occupations in that they can ensue from usual initial non-hemorrhoid lower back pain, truck and very long journey drivers, store or warehouse workers, miners, etc. the pain these people experience initially is not bloody but if left uncatered for can progress to the bloody hemorrhoid pain. The most mind-drawing and downtrodden effect of hemorrhoid is the embarrassment associated to the foul smell fart, it is so embossing that those around will be forced to make reactions to the atmosphere made unconducive by the fart. Hemorrhoid affects any kind of person both male and female but is usually commoner in the adults than in the young. Tall people are also believed to be of have hemorrhoid than short people because height contribute to the pains felt on the back bone, pressure on the which contribute to pile pain is believed to be much more in tall people, however, this might not be always true. This article attempts to shed more lights on you knowledge of hemorrhoid, you will learn how your eating habit and lifestyle have influence on the possibility of having pile, how and what you feel when pile is imminent, preventing them and eventually how to manage and treat yourself when hemorrhoid affects you.
CHAPTER 2
TYPES OF HEMORRHOID
According to the physical characteristic with respect to stage of effect and severity, there are two types of hemorrhoid that can affect you, it is classified into – internal hemorrhoid and external hemorrhoid.
Internal hemorrhoid usually occurs along the canal of the anus. It is also called protruded hemorrhoid. The anal canal diameter is reduces because the inflammation of the canal. This is usually the beginning of any form of hemorrhoid and causes deep red stain of the stool. There is so much difficulty in stooling as you the feaces tries to squeeze itself through the anus and you feel the pinching pain of the faeces on the inflamed walls of the anal pathway. The internal hemorrhoid is usually associated with pain, bleeding, itching and you even feel as if you are full (loss of appetite) because the associated inability to defecate conveniently. Many forms of hemorrhoid are of this form.
External hemorrhoid either ensues as the later stage of internal hemorrhoid or it may come out and occur at the circumference of the anus. This is not much common is when there is no adequate treatment to the internal hemorrhoid. The pain here is of varying intensity, it can be more or less painful than internal hemorrhoid. This type produces more discomfort when sitting or attempting sitting down. On the lining of the anus, there are sometimes blue clots which surround virtually the whole length of the anus circumference. These blue clots are the clot blood that got lost due to inflammation. Itching and inflammation are not uncommon in this too
CHAPTER 3
Causes of hemorrhoid
Hemorrhoid occurs to many people via various causes, most of these causes are mostly the end result of some things ranging from the occupations, food eaten to lifestyle. Many of these causes are things that are within the control of the people but due to either being ignorant of the predisposing factors or being reckless about them. Some causes are as a result of diseases that have one effect or the other on the rectum or anus e.g. colon cancer or diabetes. Some of these causes are mentioned below.
Making extra force to stool
This is the commonest cause of pile, it is one major cause that has resulted into the inflammation of the rectum or anal canal. Very hard faeces leads to the forcing out by the rectum and are not easy Forcing the stool out is called constipation. Forcing the stool out put the anus and its canal into extra effort to force the stool out. Hard stool involved in constipation can be as a result of many things which include not drinking large amount of water, large consumption of food or considered hard food (e.g. yam or bread too), not consuming fibres and unhealthy lifestyle. Initially there is no hemorrhoid but continuous constraint put on the anus due to the force needed for ejection continuously inflames the anus and brings about hemorrhoid.
Straining to lift heavy objects
Carrying large objects can cause pile. This occurs because when large loads are being carried, there is a pressure put on the weight bearing part of the back bone leading to backbone pain and can eventually lead to pile. This is probably the reason why pile is more attributed to tall people than short people. The type of occupation you have which involved carrying of large loads may predispose you to having recurrent pile. The blood vessels around you buttock keep getting inflamed because they want to ensure blood supply carrying the nutrients needed by the more working load bearing joint of the lower back. This makes pile ensue.
I’m Pregnant, pile is around
In pregnancy, there are many physiological changes that occur to the body to be able to accommodate the pregnancy. People say pregnancy is a form of disease, because it is not what the body normally has. It is not untrue that pregnant women get very tired easily, they look completely exhausted in a very short distance and time covered, they are seen to be individual carrying extra load, they feel so much back pain readily and can many lead to pile. Pile is more prominent periods above 6 months of pregnancy. There is also this associated accumulation of water in the body called oedema, oedema increases the body weight and consequently transferred the weight on the weight bearing bones of the bone. In pre-natal care, this is part of the checks done on pregnant women, they are asked to engage in some exercise that reduces the chance of being water-laden.
Obesity
Obesity is a situation in which there is water retention and accumulation in the body. This involvement of this in causing pile can be viewed from various angles. Oedema causes increased weight of the body which put more constraint on the weight carrying bones of the body. These weight carrying bones are in very close contact with the rectum and anal canal. These bones blood vessel supply are sometimes those that supply the anus. And since there is need for more work on these bones, the joint blood vessels enlarge in size so that enough nutrients can rush in and lo, cause pile. Other perspective of the involvement of oedema in pile is the increased volume of blood. The water retained in your body due to the oedema makes the blood increase in its volume. Owing to this, larger blood vessels which include those at the rectum are required to cater for this increased volume and may cause the increased pressure connected with hemorrhoid. Obesity can occure to anybody and can be as a result some illnesses like diabetes, reckless and unmonitored use of some drugs and pills for usually a long period of time. Some drugs that you take have side effects as water retention and so the need to use drugs only when prescribed by an authorized individual.
Large consumption of sugar without fibres
The eating lifestyle has a lot in the occurrence of pile, many are fond of taking sugary food, less vegetables and less fruits. The sugar you take contribute to the chance of harvesting pile. With the abundant of non-nutritious types of food and snacks called junks, there have so many this factor related end effects with pile one of the majors. These junk foods are nothing but a package of sugary foods that have replaced most of the nutritious recipes. They contain almost 90% of ugary condiments to make the food sweet especially for the children, meanwhile some are not even good for the body. The sugary food raises the pressure of the blood a bit which contributes to coming down with pile. Consuming vegetables has since been known with the activity of easy of stooling, making the faeces soft reduces the pressure that the anus and its associates are put onto and so reduces the incidences of pile. Fruits likewise reduces the occurrence of pile.
Sitting position in my working place
It has always interested me that some people in their place of work remain in a single position for a very long period of time, sitting position is the commonest. You see a teller working in the bank remaining in his/her sitting position attending to customers for a long period of time, vehicle drivers driving for a long period on a long journey also, secretary in offices who type for as long hour as God knows etc. these people readily come down with pile because remaining in a sitting position makes the lower back bone stiff and this can trigger inflammation of the vessels in the precincts. Anti-hemorrhoid pills are not found wanted with drivers as they experience recurrent hemorrhoid. A static position can also precipitate swelling of the body – oedema and its associated risks.
So my diarrhea can induce pile?
It may look surprising that pile can be caused by diarrhea. It is interesting to know that like constipation, diarrhea can cause pile especially bloody diarrhea called amoebiasis or dysentry. In both diarrhea and constipation, there is strain on the blood vessels of the anus. This constraint occurs because the uncontrollable rapid and watery ejection of stool put pressure on the vessels and precipitate pile. Diarrhea usually causes external hemorrhoid as there are episodes of lost blood which form clogs of blood clots along the anal periphery.
CHAPTER 4
Diagnosing hemorrhoid
Usually hemorrhoid is easily to detect because of the associated pain and in the part of the bod it affects. When you feel you are unable to stool comfortable and unable to sit well, feeling the pain upon attempting to sit down or after sitting down, it indicates imminence of pile and may command some precautionary measures. But some form of specific diagnosis can be carried out and include the following, these cannot be performed by you and can only be performed by an expert usually your doctor.
- Diagnosis by physical examination of the anus and rectum.
- External hemorrhoids can be felt by inserting a gloved finger into the rectal canal. Internal hemorrhoids and anal fissures can be seen with the aid of a clear small plastic tube called an anoscope. Although this exam may be slightly uncomfortable, it is not painful.
- A simple lab test done in the office can determine whether the rectum contains blood.
CHAPTER 5
PREVENTION OF HEMORRHOID
Hemorrhoid is a condition that can be well prevented if the dos and donts of preventing its menance is observed. They are things that are very simple to abide by, not complicated that it would not require any technicality in observing them. They are part of life and even fall under the simple protocol of healthy lifestyle. Changing or modification of lifestyle to the normal is the main goal. These rules are laid down below, abide by them and get immune to pile!!
- Eat large amount of vegetable and other dietary fibre like natural grains and cereals to increase your stomach fibre content – this ensures foods are broken down well to soft form.
- Drink large amount of water – this, like the fibres soften the stool and make the bowel emptying easy. Drinking a glass of water very early in the morning before eating anything is good for your health, it even prevents cancer.
- Empty your bowel each time you feel the urge – delaying bowel emptying connotes more constraints on the rectum. Also accumulating bowel before emptying it indicates large quantity of it to be voided out.
- Never intentionally strain yourself when emptying bowel – some are fond of straining the rectum during emprtying out of being in a hurry. take your time and don’t be in a hurry.
- Do not be harsh with your anus – after stooling, use the tissue paper gently to clean yourself, do not do it as such to irritate your anus.
- Avoid some pills – avoid some drugs that can generate and provoke unnecessary constipation and diarrhea. Use whatever drug under an expert’s supervision.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol – these can induce intense provocation on the anus, so should be avoided.
- Exercise regularly – this aids digestions and makes the blood circulation improved.
WHEN DO YOU SEE FOR CARE
Is it immediately you start having the symptoms of pile that you approach your health care giver? Generally and most often the symptoms of hemorrhoid disappear in few days albeit the pain might not disappear immediately but will over a period of time disappear too. However this, there sometimes that hemorrhoid will keep persisting and may pose some serious problems especially when there is observed loss of blood through the anus. There is urgent need to see your health care giver if any of the following symptoms below are seen or felt.
- Rectal bleeding: Although this is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding could be a symptom of a more serious disease. But irrespective of what it might seem too be, one should not hesitate to seek for medical intervention when this keeps persistent.
- Persistent pain: In some cases when the pain is persistent, it might be necessary to make use of surgical intervention especially when it has gone to the external hemorrhoid stage and some stages of internal hemorrhoid, they must be removed surgically. Your doctor will perform an exam and decide on the best course of treatment.
CHAPTER 6
TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOID
Treatment of hemorrhoid takes in the strategy of calming the irritate walls of the anus, reduction of the inflamed blood vessels, relief of pain and itching and enhancement of flow of blood to the area of the pile. There are some remedial method that can be done even without the involvement of a medical practitioner, this is known as the home therapy and involves the following few steps.
- The very major form of treatment is the modification of lifestyle. Lifestyle that resulted into the pile can be changed or modified depending on how involved the lifestyle is. Modifications and changing may include quitting of taking junky foods, engagement in regular exercise, stopping alcohol and smoking, stopping indiscriminate use of drugs, and a good general health habit lifestyle.
- For instant relief pain, itching and inflammation, available hemorrhoidal cream can be applied to the affected area, around the itching anus and if insert needed, insert cream may be applied.
- Ice sparks can sometimes be used to reduce swelling. This also relieves the pain. Ice sparks are effective in reducing the pain and swelling because it is able to slow down those internal bodies that are responsible for the pain we feel.
- This last one involves the soaking of the inflamed rectum/anus by soaking or sits in a warm water bath for like 10 – 15 minutes three times daily.
Treatment from medical professional sometimes are inevitable and may involve prescribing drugs that will relieve you of the pain and the itching and ease bowel movement. Pain relievers are prescribed for you which may be the one taken through the mouth or would need to be inserted e.g. paracetamol tablets for insertion into the anus, known as suppository or pessary. Creams like pile-care
(R) are also prescribed and given the direction of use. Antibiotics are sometimes added to your drugs to prevent invasion of opportunistic infections via the inflamed site. You will be given several tablets to be inserted into the anus!! Just use as directed. Your doctor will take you through on how to apply the drugs. Your doctor may include in your medications fecal softener and/or a fibre supplement. These will improve your bowel emptying without much ado. Drugs that improve the kind of smell of your fart are likely to be part of the remedy.
DO NOT WORRY; YOU MAY HAVE LIKE FOUR TO FIVE DRUGS!!! DON’T BE PANIC
Your doctor will take you through some counseling on your ways of life and lifestyle modifications that improve your bowel emptying, effective exercises to do and involvement of your relatives. You may need to get an air freshner to neutralize and improve the odour you produce, that will save you from embarrassment.
it will be of great benefit if you arrange your schedule of visit with your doctor either you going to him or he/she comes to your home for effective treatment and monitoring of improvement.
CHAPTER 7
BALANCE YOUR DIET, FIBRES ARE SUPERB
There are so many things that you should know about fibres, the “non-incorporation” of fibres into the diet of several people can be impute their lack of knowledge about the great group of food. Fibres are the part of plants that can not be digested, they are bulky and in turn add the bulkiness to foods making the foods have easy passage through the stomach, no congestion at all. Fibres also hold water in the stomach, thereby make the on-going digestion easy, frictionless, soften the feaces and enhancing easy and prompt elimination. In our stomach, there are some very small living creatures known microorganisms that live there, benefitting from us and like benefitting us i.e. mutual relationship. Fibres enhance one of the benefits of these microorganism, they contribute to easy passage of food. These small creatures like digesting fibres to produce some useful things that contribute to improved digestion.
How much do you know fibres around you?
Fibres come basically in two different forms both of which are excellent bowel elimination enhancers.
- Soluble fibres
- Insoluble fibres
Soluble fibre gives a gel-like materials when put in water i.e. it absorbs water and swells up. Sources of this group include beans, peas, oats, and many types of fruits and products having psyllium – psyllium is the seed of a fleawort.
Insoluble fiber does not absorb water as much as the soluble because it does not dissolve. It moves through the stomach and other part of your guts quickly and largely intact. It is an excellent bulk forming group, bulking the stool largely. Sources of these group are wheat-bran, breads, whole-grain cereals and vegetables
INCLUDE IN YOUR DIET FIBRE TODAY AND SAVE THE DOCTOR HIS DAY!!!
Increase your fibres using the following easy ways
Adding fibres to your diet could have been given you a kind of hard nut to crack, you are afraid of coming down again with diarrhea, it may be easier than you think. How do you balance the consumption of fibres without harvesting diarrhea, try these three golden methods.
- Replace high fibre foods (brown rice, whole grain bread) for low fibre foods. This prevents a sudden relaxation of your digestive pathway.
- Try eat raw vegetables and fresh fruit, you may include the skin of fruits when necessary. Eat the whole of oranges except the outer rind and the seeds. Cooking of vegetables can reduce its fibre content, but some instances might warrant cooking, in such mild cooking is used, DO NOT OVERCOOK!
- Then you can start taking high fibre foods at every meal as the major meal. Bran cereals are excellent to start the day with i.e. as breakfast.
Note: gradually increase your fibre intake, give your body the time to adjust little by little, don’t rush; and at least 2L of water or appropriate fluid in a day, you are good to go.
CHA PTER 8
SURGICAL INTERVENTION
It is very important that there is a given to your pile adequate treatment usually at its onset, this prevents possible complications that are likely to emanate from it. However, there are sometimes that even when treatment is promptly effected, when all the approaches have been made use of, the pile still does not succumb to lashes, there is need to make of physical elimination – surgical intervention. It may seem scary because of the usual conception about surgery, but it is to be noted that surgical intervention needs not to scare you. Surgery are not totally bad, they help give lasting solution(s) to a given obstinate condition. Don’t be a dastard. It will be done without any hitch, funny enough you will not even know when the operation is going on. Your doctor is your friend, he will ensure you are save during and after the surgery.
You may be expected to do prior to the surgery
You may be asked to stop taking some medications for at least a week to the surgery – these may include blood thinning drugs like aspirin or motrin. Please tell your doctor if you are taking blood clot preventing drugs – Coumadin (warfarin), heparin or clexane.
Discharging instructions after surgery
You may need to be under some instructions after your discharge. They are to ensure that you recover from the surgical undesirable effects such as mild pain. Several drugs may be prescribed for you in addition to those specific for the removed pile. Ensure you take your drugs and take a very good rest.
It is noteworthy to be aware that factors that can make the hemorrhoid come back again should be avoided. Eat regularly, eat vegetables, fruits, drink adequate water regularly, do not take drugs under no supervision and above all live a generally healthy lifestyle.
