Home Causes and Treatments of Hemorrhoids
Causes and Treatments of Hemorrhoids
Causes and Treatments of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, are responsible for severe swelling or enlargement of the veins in the lower part of the rectum. As we know, the walls around such organs comprise of thousands of blood vessels. A condition in hemorrhoids causes these very vessels to stretch out, leading to an unpleasant and painful experience. Although having hemorrhoids can be a dreadful situation, they can be easily treated with simple ointments, suppositories, and non-surgical options, if and when treated on time.

What causes hemorrhoids?
The enlargement of veins around the anus can be caused by the following factors:

  • Aging: Such a condition usually occurs among adults aged between 40 to 65 years. This, however, does not mean that it cannot affect people at a younger age.
  • Constipation: Chronic constipation triggers the formation of hemorrhoids due to excessive pressure on the blood vessels.
  • Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges, which puts additional pressure on the veins, causing them to bulge. Relief from hemorrhoids in such a condition can be incurred by consuming high fiber food like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Heavy lifting: Lifting heavy weights without proper padding and knowledge can trigger the enlargement of veins around the rectum area.
  • Obesity: Diet-related obesity can cause hemorrhoids.
  • Sitting for long periods: Long periods of sitting in one position, especially on a toilet seat, can trigger hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids can be of two types:

  • Internal hemorrhoids: These occur deep inside the rectum. They are usually painless, but they can worsen if excessive straining activities are undertaken. They tend to protrude through the anus and are, hence, commonly called protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoids. Such type of hemorrhoids can be very painful.
  • External hemorrhoids: These are visible abruptions and usually occur under the skin around the anus. They are far more painful than internal hemorrhoids due to the presence of more sensitive nerves around the rectum. Straining when passing stool or during pregnancy can cause them to bleed.

Relief from hemorrhoids

In a majority of cases, simple home treatments can help alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. However, in some cases, surgery may be needed. Some of the measures that can be undertaken to prevent such a condition are as mentioned here:

  • Ointments containing hydrocortisone can prove to be very useful in getting relief from hemorrhoids.
  • A simple remedy of ice packs and cold compressive can help soothe the affected area and reduce the swelling. A warm water bath can also prove to be very useful. It can be done by soaking the anal area in plain warm water for 10-20 minutes two times a day. This gives instant relief from hemorrhoids.
  • Analgesics can be used for instant relief from pain and discomfort.
  • The intake of high-fiber foods like whole grains tends to soften the passing stool and increases its bulk, which avoids worsening the existing symptoms of hemorrhoids.
  • Keeping personal hygiene on the top of the list, especially the anal area, is important. Avoid alcohol-based perfume wipes.
  • Avoid using dry toilet paper; instead, moist/wet toilet paper should be used.
  • Use of ointments, gels, and pads can help. When these are applied to the anal canal, one should ensure that the pile pipes are well lubricated prior to insertion.

Nonsurgical treatment options
There are two common ways of treating internal hemorrhoids via nonsurgical procedures. The first is a basic outpatient procedure where usually an elastic band is placed tightly around the base of hemorrhoid to cut off blood supply. This will make it either fall off or shrink. The second most common and widely used procedure is sclerotherapy, where a prepared solution is injected into internal hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. For instant relief from hemorrhoids, infrared electrocoagulation and photocoagulation are the other two options.

Surgical treatment
This procedure for relief from hemorrhoids, if and when undertaken, can lead to the permanent removal of hemorrhoids, known as hemorrhoidectomy. This is a quick solution to remove hemorrhoids within a week’s time. Usually, such procedures are performed under general anesthesia and involve the stapling process where a prolapsed hemorrhoid is tacked back into place.

For immediate relief from hemorrhoids, one can take into consideration the following points and try to inculcate them in their daily routine:

Avoid over-straining

  • Avoid rigorous physical activities, including long periods of continuous standing, as it may imply unnecessary pressure on the veins.
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight is significant for a whole lot of reasons one can think of. An overweight body increases the risk of having hemorrhoids. Regular diagnosis is, thus, recommended for the same.
  • Get a digital examination done in case of a sensation of internal hemorrhoids.

With the kind of lifestyle we are leading today, almost everyone has hemorrhoids; there is nothing abnormal about them. Hemorrhoids tend to clump the vessels; on the contrary, they help control the bowel movements. It is estimated that on an average, 75% people experience enlarged hemorrhoids at some point. Anyone experiencing the symptoms outlined above should consult a doctor. It is usually recommended never to procrastinate such checkups as they might lead to colorectal and anal cancers, which can cause immediate rectal bleeding. Any procedure undertaken for its examination and treatment should be undertaken after an expert opinion is considered. In the case of dizziness and bleeding, the individual should seek emergency care for immediate relief from hemorrhoids.

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  • All You Need to Know about Bags under Your Eyes

    Do you have bags under your eyes? Well, it could be a mild type of swelling or puffiness that occurs as you age. This is not a medical problem that should cause you too much concern. Usually, home remedies are an effective solution. Lifestyle changes are also required and can be helpful in preventing it from occurring.

    Symptoms

    • Mild swelling
    • Sagging skin or loose skin
    • Dark circles

    What are the causes of bags under your eyes?
    With age, the supporting muscles and tissues of your eyes become weaker. As there is sagging of the skin, fat in the orbit of the eye moves into this area. There could be fluid accumulation in the area leading to a puffy appearance. This could become worse with retention of fluid due to a salty meal, poor sleep, allergies, smoking or genetic reasons.

    How to get rid of bags under your eyes

    Salt intake: The region around your eyes is one of the places which has high sodium and water moves from the low-sodium areas to the high-sodium areas. Ensure that you don’t take additional salt while having dinner as this is one of the causes of puffy eyes.

    Allergies: There is a direct correlation between puffiness of the eyes and allergies. However, over-the-counter medications for allergies not only stop a runny nose but also help in removing the puffiness of the eyes as well.

    Neti pot: Using a neti pot, salt water can be poured in one nostril and then drained out through the other nostril. The additional moisture that accumulates from colds, seasonal allergies and infections are removed by this. The sinuses are irrigated and mucus, as well as other types of debris, are removed.

    Sleeping position: The way you sleep has a bearing on the puffiness of the eyes. Fluid accumulates under your eyes due to gravity. Avoid sleeping on your side or your stomach. Ensure that your back is facing the bed and use an extra pillow to elevate your head.

    Remove makeup: Be sure that all your makeup is cleaned before you go to sleep. It could lead to watering of the eyes causing morning-after puffiness. Wash it off with soap and water or keep a remover handy to clean it every night.

    Alcohol intake: Puffiness around the eyes also results from excessive alcohol intake. Drinking in moderation, like an occasional glass of wine, is fine. Alcohol dehydrates your skin. This results in weakening of the area around the eyes and they sink into a sac. If you do have alcohol during the day, have plenty of water before you go to sleep. Using a moisturizer around your eyes would also help.

    UV rays: Protection your bod, as well as your face from harmful UV rays, is extremely important. High exposure to the sun could result in sagging or wrinkling of the skin surrounding your eyes. Always use hats, sunscreen as well as well as sunglasses while going out in the sun.

    Stop smoking: Giving up your smoking habit would have the added benefit of preventing the eyes from a droopy or wrinkled appearance. The facial skin becomes dry and weak with smoking.

    Cool down: Cooling your eyes with cold compresses is an effective remedy for swollen eyes. You could use tea bags, cucumber slices or chilled spoons. You could use anything else that works, the important thing is ensuring they bring down the temperature.

    Eye cream: You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to options for eye creams. Find out the one that is most effective for you. However, hemorrhoid creams are to be avoided at all costs. This can cause irritation to the skin that is around your eyes. Retinol cream would be a better option.

    Concealer: When you are troubled by dark circles, concealers can be effective in helping hide them. Try to find a concealer that is in sync with the tone of your skin. Make sure you apply it lightly and not rub it vigorously.

    Treatment options for the bags under your eyes

    Medications: If the puffiness is due to some allergy, then consult a doctor regarding prescription allergy medications.

    Therapies: Wrinkles can be treated through various therapies like laser resurfacing or chemical peels to improve the tone of the skin, make the skin tighter and give the bags under the eyes a rejuvenated look.

    Surgery: If the cause of the bags under your eyes demand it, then surgery could be considered. The procedure is know an blepharoplasty. With this surgical procedure, excess fat is removed into the upper eyelid crease or in the lower lid. Dissolving stitches are then used to rejoin the skin. There could, however, be side effects like dry eyes, pain, watery eyes, bruising, swelling and vision being blurred. Serious side effects that rarely occur are a loss of vision, bleeding, eye muscles being injured, abrasion of the cornea as well as eyelid drooping.

  • Here’s How You Can Lower Your A1C Levels

    A1C level is a measurement used to indicate your blood sugar levels. It is vital to have your blood tested regularly to determine your A1C levels and check if you have diabetes. Even if you don’t have diabetes, you should try to keep your blood sugar levels in control.

    What is A1C level?
    When sugar enters the bloodstream, it attaches itself to a protein called hemoglobin that is present in your red blood cells. This sugar-bound protein is known as glycated hemoglobin. The higher the amount of such hemoglobin in your blood, the higher your blood sugar levels will be.

    A1C tests are conducted to gauge your blood sugar levels over the past three months, to get an idea of your sugar level fluctuations. Hemoglobin cells live for about three to four months, so A1C levels give a good picture of your glucose level in the bloodstream for that period.

    What is the optimal A1C level?
    A1C levels are referred to in percentages. For a nondiabetic patient, the A1C level should preferably be less than 5.7%. Anything between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes. An A1C level of 6.5% and above means that the patient has diabetes. For a person with diabetes, the target is to bring the A1C level below 7%.

    With lower A1C levels, one can keep a check on the progression of diabetes as well as its associated complications in control. Eye diseases, kidney, nerve, and cardiovascular diseases are the risks associated with diabetes. By putting in some effort to manage your blood sugar level, you can reduce the risk of diabetes.

    Monitoring and managing blood sugar levels
    One needs to get their A1C tests tested every three months to accurately track their blood glucose levels. Follow the doctor’s prescriptions and instructions carefully. Be active and exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, to lower your A1C levels. Take your medicines on schedule, and stick to a sugar-free diet as much as possible.

    Follow a healthy diet plan, and eat small portions every two to three hours. Spread your carbohydrate intake over all your meals, and don’t consume too much of it in one meal.

    Physical activity
    Go for a walk each morning. Plan your workouts. If your weight is over your ideal goal, you should set targets to drop a few pounds. You can take yoga and meditation classes to keep fit and avoid stress. Keep yourself active, at home and work.

    When you have diabetes, you must not choose any drastic weight loss plans, like fasting. Consult your doctor and dietician and draw up a diet that will help you lose weight gradually. Your workout routine and meal plans should not put you in danger of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar level.

    Food selection for lower A1C levels
    Select foods that have a low glycemic index (GI). The GI indicates how fast or slow the food is digested to release the glucose present in it.

    Avoid processed foods, polished grains, and refined sugars. These have a high glycemic index and cause a sharp increase in sugar levels. Stick to whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and berries.

    Vegetables and legumes
    A study in Japan conducted on a group of 417 men showed that consuming one cup of assorted vegetables and a half cup of green vegetables helped lower A1C levels significantly. Another controlled study demonstrated the benefits of consuming legumes.

    These foods are rich in fiber, and they also contain a lot of proteins. Proteins are vital nutrients, and they take a long time to digest.

    Fiber is not easy to digest, and it takes a long time to pass through your digestive system. Soluble fiber binds with liquid in your intestines and slows down the digestion process. Thus, soluble fiber helps the body absorb nutrients effectively, and keeps you satiated for a long time.

    High fiber food also provides other benefits. Bacteria in the digestive system ferment the fiber, which helps in the production of a gut hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps increase insulin production, which is helpful in controlling blood sugar levels.

    Berries
    Berries have a low glycemic index. They are rich in fiber and full of vitamins and antioxidants. They also contain vital minerals like manganese. Berries are good to eat and can satisfy your cravings for sweets without causing your sugar levels to shoot up.

    Brown rice
    White rice is a polished grain, and in the process of polishing, it loses most of its nutrients and all its fiber content. Brown rice, on the other hand, is coarsely ground which means that it still retains fiber content and a lot of nutrients.

    Kale
    Kale is a fiber-rich food, and it also has a low glycemic index (GI). Like all other leafy vegetables, it is high in several vitamins and minerals that keep your body healthy. So, diabetic patients should not just include kale, but also a lot of other leafy vegetables in their diet.

    Eggs
    Eggs are rich in saturated fats. They are also one of the best sources of protein, and a protein-rich diet can help in managing glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

    Nuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds
    All these have high fiber content, a low GI, and are also a source of many essential nutrients. Flax seeds are especially useful in diabetes management. A study demonstrated how lignans, a plant compound found in large amounts in flax seeds, can help lower A1C levels. Grind flax seeds and consume them so that they are easy to digest.

    Garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon
    These foods, apart from adding rich flavor to any dish, can also control sugar levels in the body. So, the next time you got out, you can eat a dish spiced up with these ingredients without any guilt.

    To lower your A1C levels, you need to manage your diabetes according to the advice given by your doctor.

    There are many ways to manage your blood sugar levels. Exercise, staying active, taking your medicines on time, and sticking to a good diet, can help you lower your A1C levels, thus ensuring that you lead a normal and healthy life.

  • Lactose intolerance: Symptoms and nutrition tips

    Lactose intolerance is the body’s inability to break down lactose, which is a type of natural sugar mostly found in dairy products like milk and yogurt. An enzyme called lactase is responsible for the digestion of this sugar, and when the small intestine fails to produce it, the undigested lactose moves to the big intestine. This causes issues such as bloating, diarrhea, or gas. This article looks at certain symptoms of the condition, what foods to eat and avoid, and milk products that are lactose-free.

    Symptoms
    Prominent symptoms are usually visible between 30 to 120 minutes after consumption of any milk products. They include gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. These symptoms can be varied depending on the quantity of lactose consumed and also the quantity of lactase lacking/present in the body. The condition is common among adults who have Asian, Hispanic, or African ancestry.

    Foods to avoid
    Any and all milk products are sure to have lactose in it, so when you go grocery shopping, make sure to read the ingredient list when buying a product. It is not just milk or yogurt that can cause the symptoms, ingredients such as butter, cheese, and dry milk solids can also trigger them. Also, look out for whey or whey protein-concentrate, margarine, casein, or nougat, which can have lactose in it.

    Apart from these milk products, there could be some foods and recipes that use milk, so it is important to know and identify these items. Some salad dressings use milk products, frozen waffles also have milk solids in it. Additionally, non-kosher lunch meats could contain some lactose. Other foods like sauces, baking mixes, instant soups, dry breakfast cereals all potentially have lactose in it.

    Managing lactose intolerance
    The only way to manage this condition is to reduce or fully stop consuming products that have lactose. If you are a fan of milk, you can consider alternatives like plant-based milk: almond, oats, soy, or even rice milk is a good option. However, thanks to research and food technology, there are lactose-free milk food products that can be consumed by everyone. Here are some products you can try:

    • Green Valley Creamery
      They make their products with added lactase, which helps in the digestion of lactose, making it risk-free for lactose intolerant individuals. You can try their cottage cheese, yogurt, butter, sour cream, and cream cheese.
    • GoodBelly
      Their yogurt contains lots of probiotics and protein, and is completely lactose-free, making it a good choice for individuals.
    • LACTAID®
      This brand makes lactose-free 2% milk that can easily be consumed by those who cannot digest the sugar. They also have other products like ice cream, cottage cheese, and eggnog to choose from.
    • fairlife®
      The brand uses a special technique to filter out the natural sugar from the milk, making it lactose-free. They apply the same process when they want to make their dairy creamers or ice creams.

  • Factors to be considered before buying COPD inhalers online

    There is no denying that COPD inhalers are the most pocket-friendly and quick way of treating the breathing difficulties caused by COPD and have proved to be indispensable to such individuals. From the price of the inhalers to their inclusion in various health insurance and their fast and efficient functioning, the reasons for opting for an inhaler are numerous as well. Moreover, it can be easily purchased online. But, with the vast array of choices, making the right decision can be tough. Therefore, here are a few tips that can help you in buying the inhalers for COPD online in an informed manner.

    Know the variants
    With so many variants of COPD inhalers from various brands now being available in the market, selecting the right inhaler brand is probably the very first difficulty that buyers may face when searching for inhalers online. To avoid this confusion, what you can do is research the top brands and the medications they use in their inhalers before buying. In case you have any medication preference, suggested by the doctors, searching for inhalers containing that can be a great idea too. Talk to your doctor if necessary and know thoroughly about the variants you can opt for in case the one that is prescribed to you is not available.

    Consider the price
    To find the best online deal on COPD inhalers, consider different websites that offer the inhalers and the price they quote for them. However, it is not always the maximum discount that you should consider as a priority when ordering an inhaler from an online site, but the reliability of the website as well, so that you can be sure about receiving the inhaler on time and in the right condition. You can also go through the product reviews as well as the user reviews and testimonials about the website since it gives the customer a first-hand glimpse at the company’s credibility and how prompt the delivery will be.

    Look at similar options
    In case the inhaler you are trying to find online, is not available and you prefer buying online, it’s best to look for the alternatives. Sometimes, similar inhalers are present on the website that works the same in helping with the condition. But, still, it’s best to consult with a doctor first, to know about the best alternative inhalers you can opt for.

    Know your requirement
    While some inhalers that are meant for COPD are meant to offer maintenance treatment, some inhalers function as emergency breathing relievers. Not all inhalers intended for COPD helps in treating asthma or breathing problems caused by chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Therefore, it is essential that you know your needs precisely for which you might be using the inhalers. If it’s only for treating COPD, any inhalers meant for COPD will do. However, if it’s for COPD along with other breathing issues, you must consider whether the inhaler you are selecting offers maintenance for both.

    Be aware of the brand
    With the awareness being created for controlling COPD, there are a number of inhalers available in the market that are meant to offer necessary maintenance treatment to this group of lung diseases. But each brand comes with different characteristics and medications. And it is essential to ensure if the brand is reliable and effective. Again, for this purpose, you can do your research by reading reviews about the brand.

    Remember, to consult with a doctor before buying COPD inhalers online. Just because you can get them online easily, and sometimes even for a discounted price, doesn’t mean that you can go for any random inhaler. An inhaler can help you deal with your COPD only if it is meant to deal with your condition, which can be best determined by your doctor.