Hemorrhoids or piles can have a serious affect on your day-to-day
life. Necessary and routine activities like visiting the toilet, sitting or
travelling to work can become onerous because of the pain and discomfort, not
to mention the embarrassment of the anal-itch. If you are going through or have
been through this medical condition, you may fully relate to what you’re
reading. However, what is noteworthy is that gastroenterologists call piles a
relatively common medical condition.
A survey reveals that “Every year, almost 10 million people in
India suffers from the pile's pain, a disease that is spreading exponentially due
to stress, insomnia, constipation, and a growing inclination for fast food in
the sedentary lifestyle.”
So what are
hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids or piles are a gastrointestinal condition, which causes
inflammation of the veins of the rectum. Hemorrhoids can of different sizes and
may cause bleeding from the anal region, which can also become itchy. The risk
of getting piles increases as people get older. Unhealthy lifestyles and
improper nutrition are so contributing factors.
Hemorrhoids can be irksome, inconvenient, obstructive and downright painful. Piles can be internal or external. Internal piles are located
between 2 and 4 centimeters above the anal opening while external piles occur
on the outside edge as lumps.
The
following lifestyle habits may result in piles:
- Sitting for long periods
Sitting for long periods of time puts more pressure on the blood
vessels around the anus. Excess weight can exacerbate the condition. On the
other a hand, a more active lifestyle, which involves regular movement or an exercise regimen is not only good for overall health but can also ensure that
you do not have to worry about piles.
- Lifting heavyweights
Piles can effectively put a stop to your body-building routine as
the weights can also exert extra pressure on the affected veins. However, if
you have piles then exercises that do not involve weight-lifting can actually
be a good thing. Even if you don’t go to a gym, moderate exercises will go a
long way in easing the symptoms.
- Diarrhea or constipation
Many people avoid using the toilet at work or in public places.
This leads to constipation, which is the main cause of piles. On the other
extreme, diarrhea can aggravate anal veins and also cause hemorrhoids. People
having difficulties with bowel movements or who have loose motions should first
evaluate their diet and take corrective measures. If the condition persists, he
or she should consult a doctor immediately.
- Improper hygiene
Piles can also be caused by extreme heat and humidity. Taking a
shower every day not only improves hygiene but keeps the body cooler. It is also
important to keep the anal region clean and dry; residual moisture can cause
irritation and itching. It is better to use soft wipes in the toilet. A good
hygienic practice is to wash the anal area thoroughly and gently wipe it dry.
Menstruating women can wear sanitary pads specifically made for sensitive skin.
It can avoid rashes, which can lead to inflammation.
- Stress and anxiety
Professional lives can be demanding and pretty stressful. Stress
and anxiety affect our physiologies in insidious ways. If you do get stressed
during the day or have prolonged anxiety, find an activity that calms you down
or entertains you.
- Passing motion can be a nightmare
Sitting on the toilet for long periods can only aggravate the
symptoms. Straining on the toilet can further irritate the inflamed vein and
cause bleeding. The morning newspapers or social media apps may divert your
attention but cannot stop the physiological damage.
- Cannot use scented wipes
Most wet wipes are perfumed and contain skin irritants like
alcohol and other chemicals. Rather than alleviating the symptoms they may end up worsening them. Spritzing the anal region free from
all fecal matter is a good option.
- It is itchy
The anal itch is a constant irritant with piles. It’s damn if you
scratch and damn if you don’t. It can become very tempting to scratch but doing
so can cause further damage. Your doctor may prescribe an ointment or gel to be
free of the itch.
- Coffee lovers beware
Alcohol and excessive coffee cause dehydration and irritate the
lining of the stomach. Caffeine is also one of the leading causes of
constipation. Cutting down on caffeine can ease existing piles of symptoms or can
be a preventive measure.
- Overuse of laxatives
Doctors sometimes prescribe laxatives and stool softeners to aid
in passing motion and ease the discomfort. However, medicines or syrups
should not be taken for more than a week. Many patients don’t know this and
start becoming reliant on the laxatives. Herbal remedies like Isapgol can
provide immediate relief.
- Cannot sit on hard surfaces
Not only is it inadvisable for piles patients to sit for long
periods, hard surfaces are a definite no-no, since they put more pressure on
the anal region. If the office chair is not comfortable, either change it or
add a cushion.
Treatment:
Conventional treatments can take a long time to be effective. In
many cases, dietary lifestyle changes may alleviate the symptoms of piles but
not cure the condition. Hence nowadays, the option of laser treatment is
becoming more and more popular, not the least since it is quick and effective
solution. Here’s what you need to know about laser surgery for piles:
Ø Short the procedure of 30 or 40 minutes
Ø Painless
Ø Minimally
invasive
Ø Day
procedure
Ø Quick
recovery
Ø High success
rate
Ø Negligible
complications
For more information contact the leading laser surgeon for piles
in Bangalore @ www.drmanastripathy.com
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