According to various estimates, more than 11 million people work in offices.To a greater or lesser extent, they lead that very sedentary lifestyle that doctors never tire of reminding.And the more time a person spends at the office desk, the greater the risks to his health.At the same time, his career may go uphill.But what does career success mean if work not only consumes time and energy, but also health?Doctors are already talking about real office syndrome - a whole complex of painful conditions from which most "office dwellers" suffer.And one of the main places on this list is occupied by the most intimate office disease - hemorrhoids.
1. Hemorrhoids: causes
One of the "most popular" proctological diseases are hemorrhoids, the causes of which can be divided into two main groups:
- A person's tendency to this disease: family history of hemorrhoids;weakness of connective tissue caused by other diseases;bowel movements caused by diseases or certain conditions (eg pregnancy);obesity.
- So-called external risk factors: sedentary or predominantly standing lifestyle;certain sexual practices;acute lack of physical activity or, on the contrary, excessive stress for which the body is not physically ready.
2. Hemorrhoids in men - "disease of bosses"
You can complain to your colleague about your back pain, gastritis or "playing" heart, you can dream out loud about going to the gym, complain about being overweight, but few people are ready to discuss the problems of hemorrhoids in the smoking room.
This disease most often affects men (4 times more often than women!) between the ages of 30 and 50.
The intimacy of the affected area is often in sharp contrast with the superior status.It is not surprising that hemorrhoids in men are often called the "disease of bosses".
The causes of hemorrhoids in men do not only involve the behavior of management staff.In our age of increasing popularity of healthy lifestyles, middle-aged men often go to the gym to get in great shape, but start exercising at their own risk and responsibility.Most beginners who want to gain beautiful muscles are in no hurry to turn to a trainer - they are confident that they will be able to understand the nuances of the exercises themselves.In practice, this results in improper execution.And as a result of excessive stress, an unprepared person can develop hemorrhoids, especially if he has a predisposition to this disease.
It should be said about another "male" risk factor: alcohol.Regular consumption of alcohol leads to dilation of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to hemorrhoids.In addition, alcohol consumption leads to dehydration, which can lead to constipation.Intoxication by alcohol breakdown products in the body, fatty, salty and fried snacks cause inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane.All these together increase the likelihood of developing hemorrhoids in men.
Finally, prostate diseases (prostatitis, prostate adenoma) also increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids in men.
3. Causes of diseases in women: hemorrhoids during pregnancy and other conditions
Women have their own increased risk factors for developing hemorrhoids, and these are related to some natural conditions of their bodies.Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are one of the most common complications of childbirth.Doctors talk about 80% of pregnant women who are diagnosed with hemorrhoids during a visit to the antenatal clinic.This is facilitated by the physiology of a woman.
Women have other causes of hemorrhoids, which are more common in them than in the stronger sex:
- Constipation caused by unhealthy diet and accompanying pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diseases of "female" organs, for example, hemorrhoids, can be a complication of appendicitis.
- Anal sex, which often leads to mucosal injuries and the formation of hemorrhoids.
- Too much menstruation can cause excessive blood flow to the pelvic organs and, as a result, hemorrhoids even in young girls.
4. Forms of the disease: external and internal hemorrhoids
Doctors distinguish between two types of diseases: external and internal hemorrhoids, the treatment of which will have certain differences:
- In the first case, the expansion of hemorrhoids develops, which are formed directly on the anus from the lower plexus of rectal veins.At the same time, pain occurs in the anus, and bleeding is rare.Basically, hemorrhoids are located outside the rectum, so they come into contact with underwear, which can lead to inflammation and even the development of malignant tumors.External hemorrhoids occur in only 10% of cases.
- In the second case, enlarged nodes remain in the submucosal layer of the intestine.In the initial stages of the disease, they are not visible.As the disease progresses, the nodes begin to fall out of the passage.Up to a certain point they can still be corrected, but in the later stages it requires surgery.This condition usually involves blood in the stool.Treatment of internal hemorrhoids is more difficult than external hemorrhoids.
Although everyone suffers from hemorrhoids, there are gender characteristics in the origin of this disease, its treatment and prevention.Let's look at the signs of hemorrhoids in women.
5. Hemorrhoids: symptoms in men and women
You should consult a doctor when the first suspicious symptoms appear (I stage of the disease), which include:
- itching, feeling of fullness, discomfort in the anus;
- feeling of moisture around the anus, the appearance of discharge on underwear;
- pain when going to the toilet and bleeding immediately after defecation (traces of blood on the toilet paper or drops of blood).
If prolapsed hemorrhoids appear and spontaneously "return", then this is already the II stage of the disease.Stage III is said to be that the knots no longer disappear on their own, but can still be adjusted "manually".Finally, stage IV may require surgery.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids in men can have certain characteristics.In representatives of the stronger sex, the disease often develops in an acute form against the background of various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.Often, the acute form of the disease is the result of thrombosis of the hemorrhoidal node.Usually, a person suffers from acute pain, which intensifies when straining, coughing, laughing, and even when moving.Red or unchanged blood can be seen in the stool.Signs of hemorrhoids in women intensify before the start of menstruation, and weaken after the end.This is often the reason for postponing a visit to the doctor, although the problem does not disappear, the female symptoms remain, and the disease continues to progress.
6. How to treat hemorrhoids: general principles
Hemorrhoids are a disease in the treatment of which half the success is the result of changing the patient's lifestyle.This disease can only be treated comprehensively.You can't get by just with pills, or just with fats, or just going to the gym.What are the key points to pay attention to?
Food
Alcohol, spicy and too salty, fried food contribute to increased bleeding from hemorrhoids.Therefore, all of the above must be completely excluded from the menu.Lack of fiber in the diet causes constipation, which worsens the disease.That is, the choice of patients with hemorrhoids is salads, fruits and other foods rich in fiber.
Movement
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for the development of the disease.This means that the cure for hemorrhoids will be regular walks or runs, visits to the gym, 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, in the corridor, on the office stairs.
Hygiene
If we are talking about the acute form of hemorrhoids, you need to shower with cold water at least 2-3 times a day.After defecation, one should wash.If for some reason you cannot do this, you should use wet wipes.
7. How to choose a remedy for hemorrhoids with a high degree of efficiency?
The question "How to treat hemorrhoids in women?"This question is especially often asked by expectant mothers who encounter this problem during pregnancy, as well as women who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and avoid physical activity.However, if such a question is asked, it means that the situation is already beyond the control of the patient herself, and she needs the help of a doctor.
First of all, you should not self-medicate.How to treat hemorrhoids in women will be advised by an expert who is well versed in the nuances of treating this pathology in the fairer sex with their numerous risk factors.Treatment of internal hemorrhoids, as well as external, is often "complicated" in men.In their opinion, the signs of hemorrhoids in men are not a disease that you can easily discuss with a stranger.As a result, a person's life turns into torture, and the disease becomes chronic.Today, in most cases, there is no need to go to the hospital to treat hemorrhoids.The doctor will tell you in detail how to treat hemorrhoids at home in women and men.
The remedy for hemorrhoids must meet several key parameters:
- Ease of use.A patient who goes to work or other public places must be able to adhere to the medication regimen.If in one case (pills for hemorrhoids) a glass of water is enough, then in the other (suppositories and ointments) you need a toilet and time.
- Optimal security profile for use.The stronger the active substance, the greater the risk of side effects.When choosing a therapy, the doctor tries to maintain a balance between the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
- Help relieve symptoms in a short time.Hemorrhoids are a painful disease.Patients usually turn to the doctor when they can no longer cope with the problem on their own, and they do not have the strength to endure the suffering.Therefore, drugs that help relieve symptoms in a short time are particularly relevant.
8. Medicines for hemorrhoids with local and systemic action
Among the different medicines for hemorrhoids, there are local and systemic medicines.
Systemic drugs include venotonics;laxatives, painkillers, hemostatic injections (to stop bleeding) and anticoagulants can also be used for hemorrhoids, which reduce the risk of blood clots in hemorrhoids.
Topical (topical) medications include various ointments or suppositories.The list of local drugs for the treatment of hemorrhoids includes ointments that can relieve vascular spasm, reduce pain and inflammation, for example: preparations with sodium heparin, ointments with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with glucocorticoids, etc.Suppositories for hemorrhoids are also often used.
Most often, combined drug therapy is prescribed, combining local and systemic drugs.
9. Pills for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid pills are one of the most convenient dosage forms.It's easier for patients to control the treatment process, they don't feel pain and discomfort when taking medication, they don't have to go back to therapy, and finally, tablets have a systemic effect on the body.
They can be used in the initial stages of the disease, and in stages 3-4 - before surgery to remove nodes and in the postoperative period.Most often, taking tablets is combined with local use of ointments or suppositories.
10. Prevention of hemorrhoids
When we talk about the prevention of hemorrhoids, we primarily mean an active lifestyle.Swimming pool, running, gym - any kind of physical activity is useful for reducing the risk of recurrence of the disease.Even if you have a sedentary job, you should get up and walk for 5-10 minutes once an hour.
Diet is just as important as physical activity in the prevention of hemorrhoids.The intestines need to work - energetically and actively.For that, he needs fiber - dietary fiber of plant origin, i.e. fruits and vegetables.It is important to understand that we are not talking about juice, but about whole fruits and vegetables.However, it is better to control dairy products and flour products and avoid their excess on the menu.It is also necessary to reduce the amount of consumed alcohol, hot and spicy food in the diet.Probiotics have a good effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is also recommended to adhere to the so-called defecation hygiene.This term refers to compliance with the defecation regimen.To clean the skin after the procedure, it is better to use a bidet, toilet shower or wet wipes.Dry toilet paper is not always of good quality and can cause skin irritation.
So, talking about the prevention of hemorrhoids, we have come to the triad "movement - hygiene - nutrition", which we have already talked about in the context of comprehensive effective treatment of hemorrhoids.And it is not surprising, because the health of our body rests on these "three pillars".And the best remedy for hemorrhoids in this context is a healthy lifestyle, a scheduled visit to the doctor and compliance with all his recommendations.