According to various estimates, more than 11 million people work in offices.They lead a more or less sedentary lifestyle, and doctors never tire of reminding them of the dangers of this lifestyle.The more time a person spends at a desk, the higher the risk to their health.At the same time, his career may be on the upswing.But what does professional success mean if work consumes not only time and energy but also health?Doctors are already talking about true office syndrome—a painful set of conditions that most “office dwellers” suffer from.And one of the main positions on this list is occupied by the most intimate office disease - hemorrhoids.
1. Hemorrhoids: Causes
One of the most "popular" rectal diseases is hemorrhoids, the causes of which can be divided into two main categories:
- The person is predisposed to developing the condition: a family history of hemorrhoids; connective tissue weakness caused by other diseases; bowel movements caused by disease or certain conditions (such as pregnancy); obesity.
- So-called external risk factors: a sedentary or mainly standing lifestyle; certain sexual behaviors; a severe lack of physical activity or, conversely, excessive stress for which the body is not prepared.
2. Male hemorrhoids - "boss disease"
You can complain to colleagues about your back pain, gastritis or "playing with" your heart, you can dream out loud about going to the gym and complain about being overweight, but few are willing to discuss hemorrhoids in the smoking room.
Most often, men between the ages of 30 and 50 suffer from the disease (4 times more often than women!).
The intimacy of the affected area often contrasts with superior status.It’s no surprise that male hemorrhoids are often called the “boss disease.”
Causes of male hemorrhoids include more than just the behavior of managers.In an era when healthy lifestyles are becoming increasingly popular, middle-aged men often hit the gym to exercise, but they start exercising at their own risk.Most beginners who want to gain beautiful muscles are not in a hurry to contact a trainer - they trust that they can understand the nuances of the exercises.In practice, this results in incorrect execution.An unprepared person may develop hemorrhoids due to excessive exertion, especially if he has a tendency to develop this disease.
What should be mentioned is another "male" risk factor: alcohol.Regular alcohol consumption causes blood vessels to dilate, which increases blood flow to hemorrhoids.Additionally, drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can lead to constipation.Intoxication by the breakdown products of alcohol, fats, salty and fried snacks in the body triggers an inflammatory process in the mucous membranes.All of this combined increases a man's likelihood of developing hemorrhoids.
Finally, prostate disease (prostatitis, prostatic adenoma) also increases a man's risk of hemorrhoids.
3. Causes of disease in women: Hemorrhoids during pregnancy and other conditions
Women have more risk factors for hemorrhoids, which are related to some natural conditions in their bodies.Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are one of the most common complications of childbirth.Doctors say 80 per cent of pregnant women are diagnosed with hemorrhoids when they visit an antenatal clinic.This is facilitated by female physiology.
There are other reasons why women suffer from hemorrhoids, which are more common in women than in men:
- Constipation caused by unhealthy diet and gastrointestinal related pathologies.
- Diseases of the "female" organs, such as hemorrhoids, can be complications of inflammation of the appendages.
- Anal intercourse often leads to mucosal damage and the formation of hemorrhoids.
- Menorrhagia can cause excess blood flow to the pelvic organs, leading to hemorrhoids, even in young girls.
4. Disease forms: external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids
Doctors distinguish two diseases: external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids, and their treatments will have certain differences:
- In the first case, hemorrhoids expand and form in the anus directly from the subrectal venous plexus.At the same time, there is pain in the anus and little bleeding.Essentially, hemorrhoids are located outside the rectum and therefore come into contact with underwear, which can lead to inflammation and even the development of malignancy.External hemorrhoids occur in only 10% of cases.
- In the second case, enlarged lymph nodes remain in the intestinal submucosa.In the initial stages of the disease, they are not visible.As the disease progresses, the nodes begin to fall out of the channels.To some extent, they can still be corrected, but in later stages, this requires surgery.This condition usually involves blood in the stool.Internal hemorrhoids are more difficult to treat than external hemorrhoids.
Although everyone suffers from hemorrhoids, the development, treatment, and prevention of this disease have gender-related characteristics.Let’s take a look at the symptoms of hemorrhoids in women.
5. Hemorrhoids: Symptoms in Men and Women
You should see your doctor at the first suspicious symptoms (the first stage of the disease), which include:
- Itching, fullness, anal discomfort;
- There is a moist feeling around the anus and discharge on underwear;
- Pain when going to the toilet, bleeding immediately after defecation (blood stains or blood drops on the toilet paper).
If prolapsed hemorrhoids appear and "return" spontaneously, then this is already the second stage of the disease.It is said that stage three nodes no longer disappear on their own, but can still be set "manually".Finally, stage four may require surgery.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids in men may have certain characteristics.In representatives of the stronger sex, the disease usually develops in an acute form against the background of various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.The acute form of the disease is usually the result of hemorrhoidal thrombosis.Typically, a person suffers from acute pain that worsens when exerting force, coughing, laughing, or even moving.Red, unchanged blood can be seen in the stool.Hemorrhoid symptoms in women tend to get worse before menstruation begins and lessen after menstruation ends.This is often a reason to delay seeing a doctor, even though the problem does not go away, women's symptoms persist and the disease continues to progress.
6. How to Treat Hemorrhoids: General Principles
Hemorrhoids is a treatment where half the success depends on changes in the patient's lifestyle.This disease can only be treated comprehensively.Medications, ointments or going to the gym alone won’t do.What are the key points to pay attention to?
food
Drinking alcohol, spicy, salty, and fried foods can increase hemorrhoid bleeding.Therefore, all of the above must be completely excluded from the menu.A lack of fiber in the diet can cause constipation, which can worsen the condition.In other words, the choice for hemorrhoid patients is high-fiber dishes such as salads and fruits.
sports
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for developing this disease.This means treating hemorrhoids with regular walking or jogging, going to the gym, and swimming pool (except for strength training and cycling).During the day, you should get up every hour and a half and walk for 5-10 minutes - around the office, along the corridors, and up the office stairs.
health
If we are talking about acute hemorrhoids, you need to take cold showers at least 2-3 times a day.After defecation, the body should be washed.If for some reason this is not possible, you will need to use wipes.
7. How to choose a highly effective hemorrhoid medicine?
The question "How to treat hemorrhoids in women?" This question is often asked especially by expectant mothers who face this problem during pregnancy, as well as women who live a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and avoid physical activity.However, if such a problem occurs, it means that the situation is beyond the patient's control and she needs a doctor's help.
First, you should not self-medicate.How to treat hemorrhoids in women will be advised by a specialist who is well versed in the nuances of treating hemorrhoids in women and their many risk factors.For men, treatment of both internal and external hemorrhoids is often "complex."In their opinion, the symptoms of male hemorrhoids are not a disease that can be easily discussed with strangers.As a result, human life becomes torture and disease becomes chronic.Today, in most cases, there is no need to go to the hospital to treat hemorrhoids.Your doctor will tell you exactly how to treat hemorrhoids in women and men at home.
Medications to treat hemorrhoids must meet several key parameters:
- Easy to use.Patients who go to work or other public places must be able to adhere to their medication regimen.If in one case (hemorrhoid medicine) a glass of water is enough, in another case (suppositories and ointments) you need to go to the toilet and time.
- Optimum safety of use.The stronger the active substance, the higher the risk of side effects.When choosing a treatment, doctors try to balance the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
- Helps relieve symptoms in a short period of time.Hemorrhoids are a painful condition.Patients often turn to doctors when they can no longer cope with their problems on their own and no longer have the strength to endure their pain.Therefore, medications that can help relieve symptoms for a short period of time are especially important.
8. Hemorrhoid drugs with local and systemic effects
Among the various treatments for hemorrhoids, a distinction is made between topical and systemic medications.
Systemic medications include intravenous medications; for hemorrhoids, laxatives, analgesics, injectable hemostats (to stop bleeding), and anticoagulants may also be used to reduce the threat of blood clots in hemorrhoids.
Topical (topical) treatments include various ointments or suppositories.Topical treatments for hemorrhoids include ointments that can relieve vasospasm and reduce pain and inflammation, such as heparin sodium preparations, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid ointments.Suppositories are also often used to treat hemorrhoids.
The most common is combination drug therapy, combining local and systemic medications.
9. Hemorrhoid medicine
Hemorrhoid tablets are one of the most convenient dosage forms.It is easier for the patient to control the treatment process, there is no pain and inconvenience when taking the pills, there is no need to retire for treatment, and finally, the pills have a systemic effect on the body.
They can be used during the initial stages of the disease, stages 3-4 (before surgical removal of lymph nodes), and in the postoperative period.Most often, the tablets are taken in conjunction with a topical ointment or suppository.
10. Prevent hemorrhoids
When it comes to preventing hemorrhoids, we are primarily referring to an active lifestyle.Pool, running, gym – any type of physical activity can help reduce the risk of disease recurrence.Even if you have a sedentary job, you should get up and walk for 5-10 minutes every hour.
Diet is as important as physical activity when it comes to preventing hemorrhoids.The intestines must work proactively.To do this, it needs fiber - dietary fiber from plant sources, namely fruits and vegetables.It's important to understand that we're not talking about juice, but whole fruits and vegetables.But it’s best to keep dairy and flour products in check and avoid having too many products on your menu.Alcohol and spicy food should also be reduced in the diet.Probiotics have a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal function.
It is also recommended to observe so-called defecation hygiene.This term refers to the observance of a bowel movement regime.To clean your skin after the procedure, it's best to use a bidet, commode shower, or wet wipes.Dry toilet paper is not always of good quality and can cause skin irritation.
So, when it comes to the prevention of hemorrhoids, we come to the three-in-one "exercise-hygiene-nutrition", which we have already talked about in the context of comprehensive and effective treatment of hemorrhoids.This is not surprising since the health of our body depends on these "three pillars".In this case, the best way to treat hemorrhoids is to lead a healthy lifestyle, visit your doctor regularly and follow all his recommendations.