Old age and hemorrhoids
What kind of disease is hemorrhoids and how do people get it and what are the symptoms of this disease? This condition occurs more in the elderly.
Fortunately, today, with the advancement of medical science, there are extensive treatment solutions for hemorrhoids. The good news is that most people will be able to get rid of many of its complications by using home remedies and making lifestyle changes.
Dr. Javad Gorobi, a general surgery specialist and assistant professor at Shahid Beheshti University, in defining hemorrhoids and how to prevent this disease, says: Hemorrhoids are venous networks located at the lower end of the large intestine, which are located under the mucosa of the end of the rectum or around the anus. are Of course, we use the term hemorrhoids when these veins are dilated and swollen, or in other words, they become varicose, like leg varicose veins.
He continues: Hemorrhoids are divided into two categories, internal and external: Internal hemorrhoids occur in the end of the rectum and external hemorrhoids occur under the skin around the anus.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
Dr. Gorobi mentions that the most important symptom of hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids is bleeding from the lower digestive tract during defecation and says: Internal hemorrhoids cannot be touched by the patient in the early stages and may be caused by bleeding during defecation. See your doctor. Of course, in the advanced stages, itching and pain may be added to the internal hemorrhoids due to protrusion from the anal exit, and the patient may even suffer from fecal incontinence.
External hemorrhoids can be felt by the patient due to the swelling around the anus. If the blood in the venous network of the external hemorrhoid also clots, due to the presence of the sensitive nerve network, it will cause severe pain to the patient.
Why do we get hemorrhoids?
Explaining the causes of this disease, Dr. Groubi says: There are various factors that can be mentioned about the causes of this disease, including chronic constipation, excessive straining during defecation, and sitting in the toilet for a long time. Of course, some doctors believe that tonicity and spasm or contraction of the internal sphincter in people can cause hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids. Also, old age due to the weakness of the connective tissue is mentioned as another cause of the formation of this disease.
How is hemorrhoids diagnosed?
This associate professor of Shahid Beheshti University says the following about how to diagnose this disease: This disease is easily diagnosed by taking the history and physical examination of the patient. Of course, in old age, additional diagnostic procedures are recommended to rule out the possibility of bleeding from above, such as colonoscopy.
What can we do to avoid hemorrhoids?
Dr. Gorobi recommends the following ways to prevent this disease:
– Constipation can be avoided by eating fruits, vegetables, plant seeds and bran. These foods contain a lot of fiber.
– Moderate sports activity for at least two hours per week, or intense sports activity for one hour per week, or daily sports activity for at least 10 minutes per day.
– Fiber supplements including Citrocel or Metamyocel can be used daily, and if necessary, it should be started with a low dose and then gradually increased over a period of one month or more.
– Changing defecation habits so that you have to go to the toilet immediately if you feel defecation. Avoid forcing and give yourself a chance to defecate in a relaxed state.
Avoid holding your breath during exhalation.
– Adjusting the daily activity in such a way that standing and sitting for a long time is avoided.
– Short walks during the day are also helpful. Also, if possible, avoid lifting heavy objects, and if necessary, avoid holding your breath while lifting objects.
– In pregnant women, it is recommended to sleep on the side in order to avoid pressure on the pelvic vessels, because this action reduces the size and size of hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids.
Dr. Gorobi offers the following suggestions to prevent hemorrhoids from worsening:
1- After defecation, wash the area and then dry it completely with a soft paper towel.
2- In order to reduce pain and itching, drugs such as acetaminophen can be used as an analgesic and drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can be used to reduce inflammation.
3- Using an ice compress for 10 minutes and then a warm compress for 10 to 20 minutes.
4- Sitting in warm water for 15 minutes and three times a day is recommended, but care should be taken not to burn the area.
5- Lying down during the day helps to improve the condition. Sleeping on the side in pregnant women and lying on the stomach with a pillow under the pelvis in other people reduces the inflammation of the area and hemorrhoids.
6- Avoid sitting and standing for a long time and if you need to sit for a long time, place a pillow under the seat.
Surgical treatment of hemorrhoids
This general surgery specialist said about the methods of treating this disease: tying a plastic band around the pile or hemorrhoidal protrusion in order to wrinkle it as a recommended method.
Laser, infrared rays and cryotherapy (freezing treatment) have also been used in the treatment of this disease, but the chance of recurrence is higher in these methods.
In the end, he pointed out: In very severe and recurrent cases, as well as large hemorrhoids, surgery is used. This method requires general anesthesia and the recovery period is between 7 and 10 days.
Asr-e Iran