According to various estimates, more than 11 million people work in offices.To a greater or lesser extent, they lead a very sedentary lifestyle, which doctors never tire of reminding.And the more time a person spends at the office desk, the higher the risks to his health.At the same time, his career may rise.But if work requires not only time and energy, but also health, what does career success mean?Doctors are already talking about the real office syndrome - a whole complex of painful conditions that most "office dwellers" suffer from.And one of the main positions in this list is occupied by the most intimate office disease - hemorrhoids.
1. Hemorrhoids: causes
One of the most "famous" proctological diseases is hemorrhoids, the causes of which can be divided into two main groups:
- A person's tendency to this disease: history of hemorrhoids in the family;connective tissue weakness caused by other diseases;bowel movements caused by diseases or certain conditions (for example, pregnancy);obesity.
- So-called external risk factors: sedentary or mostly 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 a colleague about back pain, gastritis or your heart "playing around", you can dream out loud about going to the gym, complaining about being overweight, but few are ready to discuss hemorrhoid problems in a smoking room.
Most often, men aged 30-50 suffer from this disease (4 times more than the fairer sex!).
Proximity to the affected area often contrasts sharply with 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 the board.In our age of increasingly popular healthy lifestyles, middle-aged men often hit the gym to get in great shape, but they do so at their own peril and risk.Most beginners who want to get beautiful muscles are in no hurry to contact a trainer - they are sure that they can understand the nuances of exercises themselves.In practice, this results in faulty implementation.As a result of excessive tension, an unprepared person can develop hemorrhoids, especially if he is prone to this disease.
It is necessary to talk about one more "male" risk factor: alcohol.Regular use 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 with alcohol breakdown products in the body, fatty, salty and fried snacks cause inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane.All these together increase the probability of developing hemorrhoids in men.
Finally, diseases of the prostate gland (prostatitis, prostate adenoma) also increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids in men.
3. Causes of the disease in women: hemorrhoids during pregnancy and other cases
Women have their own increased risk factors for developing hemorrhoids, which are linked to certain 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 when they visit the antenatal clinic.This is facilitated by a woman's physiology.
There are other causes of hemorrhoids that are more common in women than the stronger sex:
- Constipation caused by an unhealthy diet and related pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diseases of the "female" organs, for example, hemorrhoids, can be a complication of appendicitis.
- Anal sex, which often causes damage to the mucous membrane and the formation of hemorrhoids.
- Excessive menstruation can cause excessive blood flow to the pelvic organs and eventually hemorrhoids even in young girls.
4. Forms of the disease: external and internal hemorrhoids
Doctors distinguish two types of the disease: external and internal hemorrhoids, the treatment of which will have certain differences:
- In the first case, hemorrhoids develop directly in the anus from the lower plexus of rectal veins.At the same time, there is pain in the anus, 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.They are not visible in the early stages of the disease.As the disease progresses, the nodules begin to fall out of the passage.Up to a certain point they can still be fixed, but at later stages this requires surgery.This condition usually includes blood in the stool.Internal hemorrhoids are more difficult to treat than external hemorrhoids.
Although everyone suffers from hemorrhoids, there are gender-specific characteristics in the development, treatment and prevention of this disease.Let's look at the symptoms of hemorrhoids in women.
5. Hemorrhoids: symptoms in men and women
You should consult a doctor when the first suspicious symptoms appear (stage I of the disease), which include:
- itching, feeling of fullness, discomfort in the anus;
- a feeling of wetness around the anus, the appearance of discharge in underwear;
- pain when visiting the toilet and bleeding immediately after defecation (blood stains or drops of blood on the toilet paper).
If prolapsing hemorrhoids appear and "return" spontaneously, this is stage II of the disease.Stage III nodes are said not to disappear on their own, but can still be fixed "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 is aggravated by straining, coughing, laughing and even moving.You may see red, that is, unchanged blood in the stool.In women, the symptoms of hemorrhoids intensify before the onset of menstruation and weaken after it ends.This is often a reason to postpone a visit to the doctor, although if the problem does not go away, women's symptoms remain and the disease continues to progress.
6. How to treat hemorrhoids: general principles
Half of the success in the treatment of hemorrhoids is a disease that is the result of changing the patient's lifestyle.This disease can only be treated comprehensively.You can't be satisfied with just pills, ointments or going to the gym.What are the key points to focus on?
Food
Alcohol, spicy and very salty, fried foods contribute to increased hemorrhoidal bleeding.Therefore, all of the above should be completely excluded from the menu.Lack of fiber in the diet causes constipation, which makes the disease worse.That is, the choice of a patient 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 treatment of hemorrhoids will be regular walks or runs, gym, swimming pool (excluding 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 corridor, along the office stairs.
Hygiene
If we are talking about the acute form of hemorrhoids, it is necessary to take a cool shower at least 2-3 times a day.You should wash yourself after defecation.If for some reason this is not possible, you should use wet wipes.
7. How to choose an effective hemorrhoid remedy?
The question "How to treat hemorrhoids in women?"This question is especially asked by expectant mothers who face this problem during pregnancy, as well as women who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and avoid physical activity.However, if such a question arises, it means that the situation is already out of the patient's control and he needs the help of a doctor.
First of all, you should not self-medicate.How to treat hemorrhoids in women will be recommended by a specialist who knows well the nuances of treating this pathology in the fair sex with numerous risk factors.Treatment of internal hemorrhoids, as well as external ones, is often "complicated" in men.According to them, the symptoms of hemorrhoids in men are not a disease that you can easily talk about with a stranger.As a result, a person's life becomes a torture and the disease becomes chronic.Today, in most cases, there is no need to go to the hospital for the treatment of hemorrhoids.The doctor will tell you in detail how to treat hemorrhoids in women and men at home.
A remedy for hemorrhoids must meet several basic parameters:
- Ease of use.A patient going to work or other public places should be able to follow the medication regimen.If in one case (pills for hemorrhoids) a glass of water is enough, in the other (suppositories and ointments) you need a toilet and time.
- Optimal security profile for use.The stronger the active ingredient, the higher 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 mostly turn to the doctor when they cannot cope with the problem on their own and when they have no strength to bear the pain.Therefore, drugs that help relieve symptoms in the short term are especially relevant.
8. Medications for hemorrhoids with local and systemic effects
Among the various remedies for hemorrhoids, local and systemic drugs are distinguished.
Systemic drugs include venotonic drugs;for hemorrhoids, laxatives, pain relievers, injections of hemostatic agents (to stop bleeding) and anticoagulants, which reduce the risk of blood clotting in hemorrhoids, can also be used.
Local (topical) treatments include various ointments or suppositories.The list of local remedies for the treatment of hemorrhoids includes ointments that relieve vascular spasm, reduce pain and inflammation, for example: preparations with sodium heparin, ointments with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, etc.Candles for hemorrhoids are also often used.
Often, combined drug treatment combining local and systemic drugs is prescribed.
9. Pills for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid tablets are one of the most convenient dosage forms.It is easier for patients to control the treatment process, they do not feel pain and discomfort while taking the medicine, it is not necessary to retire for therapy, and finally, tablets have a systemic effect on the body.
They can be used in the initial stages of the disease and in the 3-4th stage - before and after surgery to remove the nodes.Often, taking tablets is combined with the use of local ointment or suppositories.
10. Prevention of hemorrhoids
When we talk about the prevention of hemorrhoids, we first of all mean an active lifestyle.Swimming pool, running, gym - any type of physical activity is useful to reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease.Even if you have a sedentary job, you should get up once an hour and walk for 5-10 minutes.
Diet is just as important as exercise to prevent hemorrhoids.The intestines must work - strongly and actively.For this, he needs fiber - plant-based dietary fiber, that is, fruits and vegetables.It is necessary to understand that it is not about juice, but about all fruits and vegetables.But it is better to control milk and flour products and not have more of them in the menu.It is also necessary to reduce the amount of alcohol, hot and spicy foods consumed in the diet.Probiotics have a good effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is also recommended to observe the so-called defecation hygiene.This term implies adherence to the defecation regime.After completing the process, it is better to use a bidet, toilet shower or wet wipes to clean the skin.Dry toilet paper is not always of good quality and can cause skin irritation.
So, when we talk about the prevention of hemorrhoids, we come to the triad of "movement - hygiene - nutrition", which we have already talked about in the context of the comprehensive effective treatment of hemorrhoids.And this is not surprising, because the health of our body is based on these "three pillars".And in this context, the best remedy for hemorrhoids is a healthy lifestyle, a planned visit to the doctor and following all his recommendations.