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| HEALTH |
| HOW
DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEMORRHOIDS... OR SOMETHING
SERIOUS? |
| BY DR.
MIRANDA FELLOWS |
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Hemorrhoids
aren’t a pleasant subject and can be embarrassing
to discuss -- even with your healthcare specialist.
But they are quite a common problem in both men and
women. In fact, according to the National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (a branch
of the National Institutes of Health), it’s estimated
about half the people in the U.S. will have hemorrhoids
by age 50.
This isn’t surprising given the typical Western
diet coupled with lifestyles, which often include too
much stress and too little physical exercise. Hemorrhoids
aren’t exclusively a condition of the modern Western
world; however they are rarely seen in more primitive,
less industrialized countries. What is a Hemorrhoid,
Exactly? Hemorrhoids are veins in the wall in your rectum
and anus that have become twisted, swollen and inflamed.
They can form either internally or externally, and the
resulting lumps can cause pain and bleeding. _ If you
have a hemorrhoid inside your anus, above the junction
of your rectum and anus, you have an internal hemorrhoid.
If your hemorrhoids are below this junction and under
the skin around the anus, they are considered to be
external. Both types of hemorrhoids may remain in your
anus or protrude outside it. How Hemorrhoids Form Hemorrhoids
are most often created by an increase in pressure, usually
from straining to have a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids
are common in people with chronic digestive disturbances
– especially constipation. They are also seen in
the elderly, and during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant,
the additional pressure your growing baby places on
your uterus can result in hemorrhoids.
Childbirth can increase the problem, but fortunately,
most hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy resolve after delivery.
Another common cause of hemorrhoids is obesity, because
when you are overweight, your body simply does not have
enough of the forces to generate proper elimination
through your intestine. How Do You Know if You Have
a Hemorrhoid? If you have hemorrhoids you may or may
not experience symptoms, and with proper care, most
symptoms disappear within a few days. The most common
sign of an internal hemorrhoid is the presence of bright
red blood, usually noticeable on toilet paper or in
the toilet bowl. It’s possible for an internal
hemorrhoid to protrude through your anus, however, in
which case you’ll probably experience some irritation
and pain. If your hemorrhoids are external, your symptoms
can include swelling or a lump (blood clot) around your
anus.
These are referred to as thrombosed external hemorrhoids,
and can be quite painful. Depending on your toilet habits,
you can aggravate your problem, causing additional irritation,
bleeding and itching. (Drainage from hemorrhoids can
also cause itching.) If you suffer from hemorrhoids,
it’s important not to strain to have a bowel movement.
Excessive rubbing or cleaning of the area can also exacerbate
your problem. Other conditions with symptoms that can
mimic those of hemorrhoids are anal abscesses, anal
fissures and fistulas, and non-specific itching or irritation
(commonly termed pruritus ani). A Word of Caution About
Rectal Bleeding If you have bleeding you suspect is
hemorrhoid-related, I recommend you consult your doctor
or other medical specialist – especially if it’s
a new symptom for you. Bleeding from the rectum can
be a sign of other, more serious conditions, including
corectal cancer, especially if you’re elderly.
As mentioned above, bright red blood is most often a
sign of hemorrhoids, but any new or sudden signs of
bleeding should be investigated, regardless of your
age. nterestingly, vitamin D is one of the best ways
to reduce your risk of colon cancer.
Optimizing your vitamin D levels may reduce your risk
by up to 80%. So make sure you get your vitamin D levels
checked, and strive to maintain your levels around 60
ng/ml throughout the year as a powerful preventative
measure. Preventing Hemorrhoids in the First Place is
the Goal Hemorrhoids are most often the result of straining
due to constipation. Constipation is frequently caused
by improper diet, lack of exercise, inadequate intake
of water, and stress. Other contributors include laxative
abuse, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypothyroidism.
These simple steps can help prevent constipation:
1. Eat fiber-rich foods. Vegetables are great sources
of fiber. Ideally you’ll want to eat those recommended
for your individual metabolic type. Consuming a wide
variety of vegetable fiber will provide the bulk needed
for your stool to pass comfortably through your intestines.
If you need extra fiber, I suggest whole organic flaxseeds.
Grind them in a coffee grinder and add one or two tablespoons
to your food.
You can also try organic psyllium, which helps alleviate
both constipation and diarrhea. I recommend avoiding
any type of non-organic psyllium, such as Metamucil.
Proceed slowly if you’re not used to getting much
fiber in your diet, as you may experience some bloating
and gas as your digestive system gets accustomed to
the added fiber.
2. Consider eating fresh oranges for the flavonoids
they contain. Flavonoids are powerful phytochemicals,
which promote the health of your veins. You might also
consider adding coconut oil to your diet. South Pacific
tropical islanders are known to consume at least half
the fat in their diets from coconuts, with the result
that many typical Western illnesses and conditions --
including hemorrhoids -- are uncommon. My personal recommendation
is Pure Virgin Coconut Oil.
3. Drink plenty of pure water-- either clean spring
water or water filtered by reverse osmosis. Using your
thirst as an indication to drink water is not always
enough. I recommend starting the day with 2 glasses
of water and then 4Oz every subsequent waking hour.
The color of your urine can act as a guide for whether
you’re adequately hydrated. Your urine should be
a light yellow color. If it is dark yellow, you’re
likely not drinking enough water. (A bright yellow color
is usually the result of vitamin B2, found in most multi-vitamins.)
Adequate fiber and water create softer stools. A softer
stool moves more easily through your colon and lessens
the need for straining.
4. Exercise regularly to keep your digestive tract stimulated.
5. Take a high-quality probiotic. Balancing your gut
bacteria will not only
help your constipation, but your overall health as well.
6. Get control of your emotional stress. I highly recommend
tools such as meridian tapping techniques to help alleviate
emotional stressors that contribute to constipation.
It can also help you reduce and eliminate painful episodes
of hemorrhoid flare-ups. Another option few people are
aware of is using a squat toilet. I went to Dubai on
the way to Australia a few years ago and was greatly
surprised to find a hole in the tilled floor where the
toilet ‘should’ be. When you use a toilet
like that, your body will be in the position it was
designed to be in when you’re having a bowel movement...
SQUATING! When you sit on a regular toilet, you lose
a lot of the force that helps with elimination. Now,
I’m not suggesting you cut a hole in your bathroom
floor; there are other devices you can put around your
toilet that will somewhat simulate that squatting position,
to help you eliminate with greater ease. For more information
don’t hesitate to call Carib Wellness on 469 2147
or 466 9355, and allow us to assist your journey toward
optimal health and wellbeing!
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