According to various estimates, more than 11 million people work in offices.To a greater or lesser extent, they lead a very sedentary lifestyle, the dangers of which doctors never tire of reminding us of.And the longer a person spends at an office desk, the greater the risks to their health.At the same time, your career can go up.But what do professional successes mean if work takes not only time and energy, but also health?Doctors are already talking about the real office syndrome - a whole complex of painful conditions that affect most “office dwellers”.And one of the main positions in this list is occupied by the most intimate disease in 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 propensity for this disease: family history of hemorrhoids;connective tissue weakness caused by other diseases;bowel movements caused by illness or certain conditions (e.g. pregnancy);obesity.
- The so-called external risk factors: sedentary lifestyle or predominantly standing;certain sexual practices;acute lack of physical activity or, on the contrary, excessive stress for which the body is not physically prepared.
2. Hemorrhoids in men – “a disease of bosses”
You can complain to a colleague about back pain, gastritis or a “playing” heart, you can dream big about going to the gym, complain about being overweight, but few people are willing to discuss the problems of hemorrhoids in the smoking room.
Most 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.Not surprisingly, hemorrhoids in men are often called “boss disease.”
The causes of hemorrhoids in men include not only the behavior of administrative staff.In our time of growing popularity of healthy lifestyles, middle-aged men often go to the gym to get into excellent physical shape, but they begin to exercise at their own risk.Most beginners who want to acquire beautiful muscles are in no hurry to contact a trainer - they are sure that they themselves will be able to understand the nuances of the exercises.In practice, this results in incorrect execution.And as a result of excessive exertion, an unprepared person can develop hemorrhoids, especially if he has a predisposition to this disease.
We need to talk about another “male” risk factor: alcohol.Regular alcohol consumption leads to dilation of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to hemorrhoids.Additionally, drinking alcohol leads to dehydration, which can cause constipation.Intoxication with breakdown products of alcohol in the body, fatty, salty and fried snacks provoke inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane.All this together increases 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 the disease in women: hemorrhoids during pregnancy and other conditions
Women have their own increased risk factors for developing hemorrhoids and they are associated with some natural conditions of your 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 when visiting an antenatal clinic.This is facilitated by the woman's physiology.
Women have other causes of hemorrhoids, which are more common in them than in the stronger sex:
- Constipation caused by unhealthy diets and associated pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diseases of the “female” organs, for example, hemorrhoids, can be a complication of inflammation of the appendages.
- Anal sex, which often leads to injury to the mucous membrane and the formation of hemorrhoids.
- Excessive menstruation can cause excessive blood flow to the pelvic organs and, as a result, hemorrhoids, even in girls.
4. Forms of the disease: external and internal hemorrhoids
Doctors distinguish two types of disease: external and internal hemorrhoids, the treatment of which will have some differences:
- In the first case, the expansion of hemorrhoids develops, which form 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 nodules remain in the submucosal layer of the intestine.In the early stages of the disease they are not visible.As the disease progresses, the nodules begin to fall out of the passage.They can still be corrected to some extent, but in later stages this requires surgery.This condition usually involves blood in the stool.Treating internal hemorrhoids is more difficult than external hemorrhoids.
Although everyone suffers from hemorrhoids, there are gender-related characteristics 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 discharge on underwear;
- pain when going to the bathroom and bleeding immediately after defecating (traces of blood on the toilet paper or drops of blood).
If prolapsed hemorrhoids appear and “come back” spontaneously, then this is stage II of the disease.Stage III is said to occur when the nodes no longer disappear on their own, but can still be defined “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 acutely 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.Typically, the person suffers from acute pain, which intensifies when exerting effort, coughing, laughing and even when moving.In feces you can see red, that is, unchanged blood.Signs of hemorrhoids in women intensify before the start of menstruation, and after its end they weaken.Often this is a reason to postpone a doctor's appointment, although the problem does not disappear, women's symptoms remain and the disease continues to progress.
6. How to treat hemorrhoids: general principles
Hemorrhoids are a disease whose successful treatment is half the result of changing the patient's lifestyle.This disease can only be treated comprehensively.You can't survive on just pills, or just ointments, or just going to the gym.What main points should you pay attention to?
Food
Alcohol, spicy and very salty and fried foods contribute to increased hemorrhoidal bleeding.Therefore, all of the above must be completely excluded from the menu.Lack of fiber in the diet causes constipation, which worsens the disease.In other words, the choice of patients with hemorrhoids are 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 running, going to the gym, swimming pool (except weight 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 an acute form of hemorrhoids, you need to take a cold shower at least 2-3 times a day.After defecating, you must wash yourself.If for some reason this cannot be done, you will need to use baby wipes.
7. How to choose a hemorrhoid remedy with a high level of effectiveness?
The question “How to treat hemorrhoids in women?”This question is frequently asked mainly by pregnant women who face this problem during pregnancy, as well as by women who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight and avoid physical activity.However, if such a doubt arises, it means that the situation is already beyond the patient's own control and she needs the help of a doctor.
First of all, don't self-medicate.Treatment of hemorrhoids in women will be advised by a specialist who is well aware of 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, tends to be “complicated” in men.In their opinion, the signs of hemorrhoids in men are not a disease that you can easily talk about 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 explain in detail how to treat hemorrhoids at home in women and men.
A hemorrhoid remedy must meet several main parameters:
- Ease of use.A patient who goes to work or other public places must be able to comply with the medication regimen.If in one case (pills for hemorrhoids) a glass of water is enough, in another (suppositories and ointments) you need a bathroom and time.
- Optimal security profile for use.The stronger the active substance, the greater the risk of side effects.When selecting 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.Most often, patients 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, medications that help alleviate symptoms in a short time are especially relevant.
8. Medicines for hemorrhoids with local and systemic action
Among the variety of remedies for hemorrhoids, local and systemic drugs stand out.
Systemic medications include venotonic medications;For hemorrhoids, laxatives, pain relievers, injections of hemostatic agents (to stop bleeding) and anticoagulants that reduce the threat of blood clots in hemorrhoids can also be used.
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, combining local and systemic medications.
9. Pills for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid pills are one of the most convenient dosage forms.It is easier for the patient to control the treatment process, he does not feel pain and discomfort when taking medications, he does not need to retire for therapy and, finally, the pills 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 nodules and in the postoperative period.Most often, taking tablets is combined with the local use of ointments or suppositories.
10. Prevention of hemorrhoids
When we talk about preventing hemorrhoids, we are mainly referring to an active lifestyle.Swimming pool, running, gym – any type of physical activity is useful to reduce the risk of disease relapse.Even if you have a sedentary job, you should get up and walk for 5 to 10 minutes once an hour.
Diet is as important as physical activity in preventing hemorrhoids.The intestines must work - vigorously and actively.To do this, you need fiber - dietary fiber of plant origin, that is, fruits and vegetables.It's important to understand that we're not talking about juice, but rather whole fruits and vegetables.But it's better to control dairy products and flour and avoid having too much of them on 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 fecal hygiene.This term refers to compliance with the defecation regime.To clean your skin after the process is complete, it is best to use a bidet, douche or wet wipes.Dry toilet paper is not always of good quality and can cause skin irritation.
So, speaking about hemorrhoid prevention, we come to the triad “movement - hygiene - nutrition”, which we have already talked about in the context of comprehensive and effective treatment of hemorrhoids.And it is not surprising, 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.