Tuesday, June 1, 2010

We don't talk much about Hemorrhoids, do we?

A colleague's husband underwent a hemorrhoid operation last month. I've wondered about hemorrhoids or commonly known as piles so I checked it up on Wikipedia.

A number of factors may lead to their formation including irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), exercise, gravity, nutrition (low-fiber diet), increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, and aging. Obesity and sitting for long periods of time can also increase the rectal vein pressure resulting in hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are usually benign. In most cases, symptoms will resolve within a few days. External hemorrhoids are painful while internal hemorrhoids usually are not.

Like every ailment or condition, I'm sure there is a best hemorrhoids treatment but recommended treatment consists of increasing fiber intake, oral fluids to maintain hydration, NSAID analgesics, sitz baths (hydrotherapy in a way), and rest. Surgery is reserved for those who fail to improve following these measures.

5 comments:

  1. so was this the topic over breakfast for you today?? hmmm, another factor for hemorrhoids maybe, pressure??

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  2. Ooh! External hemorrhoids are painful! That's what a hemorrhoids patient told me.

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  3. SK, LOL, no, not this topic. I suppose hemmorrhoids don't fit very well into mealtimes, for obvious reasons. I've read that pushing too hard to expel stools may be a cause too thus eating roughage is helpful.

    Foong, anything abnormal can be a pain, eh?

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  4. I think excersie plays a very important role in keeping one's status of health.

    a lot of times, we give ourselves too many excuses of not doing exercise,,,,,

    take care now

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  5. Eugene, I'm with you. We make every excuse where exercise is concerned failing to realise that good health doesn't just happen. It takes effort like everything else. Thanks for your thoughts. Hope all's well.

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