Ways to Prevent Pile

Adequate water intake and consumption of healthy meals are keys to preventing haemorrhoids or piles, an Abuja-based medical doctor, Dr Kingsley Umeh has said.

Umeh told said  in Abuja on Thursday that most people do not get enough fibre in their diet, because they would not eat enough fresh vegetables and fruits. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that have occurred in the rectum due to constant strains during bowel movements.

It can be external and internal in outlook, thereby making the patient very uncomfortable.

“Diet, intake of plenty of water and reduction of salt intake are antidotes; salt leads to fluid retention which in turn causes your body to swell, including the blood vessels causing haemorrhoids “Remember, most haemorrhoids can be avoided by maintaining a healthy lifestyle with lots of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables.” Umeh explained that haemorrhoids could also be caused by sitting on the toilet for a long time, carrying heavy items, being overweight, having diarrhoea and constipation. “Those ones that occur in the rectum are called internal haemorrhoids, while those which occur around the anus are called external haemorrhoids.”

He said that there could be the possibility that it would affect about 50 per cent of men before they reach the age of 50 years. According to the doctor, symptoms are usually swollen, painful and bleeding rectum, causing a feeling of pressure. “You might notice a streak of blood on the outside of your stool or on the toilet paper when you wipe your bottom or splashes of blood on the toilet bowl.” Umeh said that there could also be a feeling of discomfort when cleaning up after passing stool, hence the need to avoid the use of toilet tissues. He, however, advocated for the constant use of water for cleaning oneself. Highlighting the causes of haemorrhoids in pregnancy, Umeh said that the process of childbirth and the increased pressure of the weight of the baby on the child in the anal area could trigger it.

He added that it dissolved naturally after delivery of the baby. Umeh said that it was important for people to avoid straining while passing stool, as increased pressure on the rectum could lead to inflammation of the haemorrhoids.

He stated that people should be aware that they should pass stool immediately nature calls, not delaying it till some other time, as such could also make the stool to be hard.

Umeh said that most haemorrhoids were manageable, stressing that it was only in severe cases that surgery could be considered. (NAN)

Source: Vanguard