According to various estimates, more than 11 million people work in offices.To a greater or lesser extent, they lead that very sedentary lifestyle, the dangers of which doctors never tire of reminding them.And the more time a person spends at a desk, the greater the risks to their health.At the same time, his career can go uphill.But what do professional successes mean if work consumes not only 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 leading positions in this list is occupied by the most intimate disease of the office - hemorrhoids.
1. Hemorrhoids: causes
One of the most “popular” proctological diseases is hemorrhoids, the causes of which can be divided into two main groups:
- The person's predisposition to this disease: a family history of hemorrhoids;weakness of connective tissue caused by other diseases;bowel movements caused by disease or certain conditions (for example, pregnancy);obesity.
- The so-called external risk factors: sedentary or predominantly standing lifestyle;some sexual practices;acute lack of physical activity or, conversely, excessive stress for which the body is not physically ready.
2. Hemorrhoids in men – “a disease of the bosses”
You can complain to a colleague about your back pain, gastritis or "playing" heart, you can dream aloud about going to the gym, complaining about being overweight, but few people are ready to discuss the problems of hemorrhoids in the smoking room.
Very often it is men who suffer from this disease (4 times more often than the fairer sex!) between the ages of 30 and 50.
The intimacy of the affected area often contrasts sharply with the superior status.It is no surprise that hemorrhoids in men are often called “the boss's disease.”
The causes of hemorrhoids in men include not only the behavior of management personnel.In our age of growing popularity of healthy lifestyles, middle-aged men often go to the gym to get into great physical shape, but they start exercising at their own risk.Most beginners who want to gain wonderful muscles are in no hurry to contact a trainer - they are confident that they themselves will be able to understand the nuances of the exercises.In practice, this results in incorrect execution.And due to overexertion, an unprepared person can develop hemorrhoids, especially if he has a predisposition to this disease.
It should be said of another "male" risk factor: alcohol.Regular alcohol consumption leads to dilation of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the hemorrhoids.Additionally, alcohol consumption leads to dehydration, which can lead to constipation.Intoxication from alcohol breakdown products in the body, fatty, salty and fried snacks cause inflammatory processes in the mucosa.All this together increases the likelihood of developing hemorrhoids in men.
Finally, prostate diseases (prostatitis, prostatic adenoma) also increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids in men.
3. Causes of the disease in women: hemorrhoids during pregnancy and other conditions
Women have greater risk factors for developing hemorrhoids and are associated with certain natural conditions in their body.Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are one of the most common complications of pregnancy.Doctors talk about 80% of pregnant women who were diagnosed with hemorrhoids during a visit to a antenatal clinic.This is facilitated by a woman's physiology.
Women have other causes of hemorrhoids, which are more common in them than in the stronger sex:
- Constipation caused by incorrect diets and associated pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diseases of “female” organs, for example hemorrhoids, can be a complication of inflammation of the appendages.
- Anal sex, which often leads to injury to the mucosa and the formation of hemorrhoids.
- Too much menstruation can cause excessive blood flow to the pelvic organs and, consequently, hemorrhoids even in young girls.
4. Forms of the disease: external and internal hemorrhoids
Doctors distinguish two types of diseases: external and internal hemorrhoids, the treatment of which will have some differences:
- In the first case, the expansion of hemorrhoids develops, which are formed directly in the anus from the lower plexus of the rectal veins.At the same time, there is pain in the anus, and bleeding is rare.Essentially, hemorrhoids are located outside the rectum, so they come into contact with underwear, which can cause inflammation and even the development of malignant tumors.External hemorrhoids occur in only 10% of cases.
- In the second case, the 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 this requires surgery.This condition usually involves blood in the stool.Treatment of internal hemorrhoids is more difficult than that of external hemorrhoids.
Although everyone suffers from hemorrhoids, there are gender-related features in the development 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 go to the doctor when the first suspicious symptoms appear (stage I of the disease), which include:
- itching, feeling of fullness, discomfort in the anus;
- feeling of wetness around the anus, appearance of secretions on underwear;
- pain when going to the toilet and bleeding immediately after defecation (traces of blood on toilet paper or drops of blood).
If prolapsed hemorrhoids appear and “regress” spontaneously, then this is already stage II of the disease.Phase III is said to be where nodes no longer disappear on their own, but can still be set “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 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.In the feces you can see red blood, that is, unchanged.Signs of hemorrhoids in women intensify before the onset of menstruation and weaken after its completion.This is often a reason to postpone a visit to the doctor, even if the problem does not disappear, the woman's symptoms remain and the disease continues to progress.
6. How to treat hemorrhoids: general principles
Hemorrhoids are a disease in whose treatment half of the success is due to changes in the patient's lifestyle.This disease can only be treated comprehensively.You can't get by with just pills, or just ointments, or just going to the gym.What key points should you pay attention to?
Food
Alcohol, spicy and too salty foods, fried foods contribute to increasing hemorrhoid bleeding.Therefore all of the above must be completely excluded from the menu.Lack of fiber in the diet causes constipation, which aggravates the disease.That is, the choice of a patient with hemorrhoids is salads, fruits and other dishes rich in fiber.
Movement
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for developing the disease.This means that the cure for hemorrhoids will be regular walking or jogging, visits to the gym, swimming pool (with the exception of strength training and cycling).During the day you should get up every hour and a half and walk for 5-10 minutes: in the office, along the corridor, along the office stairs.
Hygiene
If we are talking about an acute form of hemorrhoids, you need to take a cool shower at least 2-3 times a day.After defecation, you should wash.If for some reason this is not possible, you need to use wet wipes.
7. How to choose a remedy for hemorrhoids with a high level of effectiveness?
The question “How to treat hemorrhoids in women?”This question is asked especially by expectant mothers who are faced with 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 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 a specialist experienced in the nuances of treating this pathology in the fair sex with its numerous risk factors.The treatment of internal hemorrhoids, as well as external ones, is often "complicated" in men.In their minds, the signs of hemorrhoids in men are not a disease that can easily be talked about with a stranger.As a result, a person's life turns into torture, and the disease becomes chronic.Today, in most cases, it is not necessary to go to hospital to treat hemorrhoids.The doctor will tell you in detail how to treat hemorrhoids at home in women and men.
A remedy for hemorrhoids must meet several key parameters:
- Ease of use.A patient going to work or other public places must be able to comply with the treatment regimen.If in one case (pills for hemorrhoids) a glass of water is enough, in another (suppositories and ointments) you need a bath and time.
- Optimal safety profile for use.The stronger the active ingredient, the greater the risk of side effects.When choosing therapy, the doctor tries to maintain a balance between the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
- It helps relieve symptoms in a short time.Hemorrhoids are a painful disease.Patients very often turn to a doctor when they can no longer cope with the problem on their own and no longer have the strength to endure the suffering.Therefore, drugs that help relieve symptoms in a short time are especially relevant.
8. Drugs for hemorrhoids with local and systemic action
Among the variety of remedies for hemorrhoids, local and systemic drugs stand out.
Systemic drugs include venotonic drugs;for hemorrhoids you can also use laxatives, painkillers, injections of hemostatic agents (to stop bleeding) and anticoagulants which reduce the risk of blood clots in hemorrhoids.
Local (topical) remedies include a variety of ointments or suppositories.The list of local remedies 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 and others.Suppositories for hemorrhoids are also often used.
Most often, combined drug therapy is prescribed, which combines local and systemic drugs.
9. Pills for hemorrhoids
Tablets for hemorrhoids are one of the most convenient dosage forms.It is easier for patients to control the treatment process, they do not experience pain and discomfort when taking drugs, they do not need to retire for therapy, and, finally, the 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 the use of ointments or suppositories locally.
10. Prevention of hemorrhoids
When we talk about prevention of hemorrhoids we first and foremost mean an active lifestyle.Swimming pool, running, gym: any type 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 as important as physical activity in preventing hemorrhoids.The intestine must work vigorously and actively.To do this, he needs fiber: dietary fiber of plant origin, that is, fruits and vegetables.It is important to understand that we are not talking about juices, but about whole fruits and vegetables.But it is better to control dairy and flour products and avoid an excess of them in the menu.It is also necessary to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, hot and spicy foods 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 refers to compliance with the defecation regime.To clean the skin after completing the process, it is best to use a bidet, shower toilet 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 arrived at the triad "movement - hygiene - nutrition", which we have already talked about in the context of an effective and complete treatment of hemorrhoids.And no wonder, because the health of our body is based 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.