Pile; Is it really caused by eating/drinking sweet things?

Pile; Is it really caused by eating/drinking sweet things?

The word Pile which translates toJedi-Jedi in Yoruba is a commonly used term. It is often believed to be caused by consumption of sweet things such as soft drink, ice cream, cookies etc.

People patronize herbal concotions usually advertised in transit or at bus parks by those who claim their medicines cures anything, like an all in one elixir to treat/prevent pile.

In today’s blogspot, the true meaning of pile will be examined, including the causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment.

What is Pile?

Pile also referred to asHaemorrhoids, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom i.e the rectum and anus.

Types of Pile

There are four (4) types of haemorrhoids and they include:
1) Internal Haemorrhoids;

• It is found in the rectum.
• It is always be seen because they’re too deep in the anus to be visible.
• It is not normally serious and tend to go away on their own.

Sometimes internal haemorrhoids can swell and stick out of the anus. There aren’t any nerves that detect pain in the rectum, but they can cause symptoms if they grow larger. Noticeable lumps or swelling near the anus. Faeces traveling through the rectum can also irritate an internal haemorrhoid. This can cause bleeding that might be noticeable on toilet tissue.

2) External Haemorrhoid;

• It occurs on the anus, directly on the surface of where the feaces comes out.
• It’s not always visible, but are sometimes seen as lumps on the anal surface.
• It isn’t usually a serious medical issue.

3) Prolapsed Haemorrhoids; It occurs when internal haemorrhoids swell and stick out of the anus.

4) Thrombosed haemorrhoids; It is essentially a complication of a haemorrhoid, in which a blood clot forms. Blood clots can happen in both internal and external haemorrhoids.

Causes
The exact cause of haemorrhoids is unclear, but they’re associated with increased pressure in the blood vessels in and around the anus. This pressure can cause the blood vessels in your back passage to become swollen and inflamed.

Haemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
• Being obese
• Squatting while defecating
• Being pregnant
• Having anal intercourse
• Eating a low-fiber diet
• Regular heavy lifting
• Aging
• Genetics
• Low fibre diet
• Having chronic diarrhea or constipation

Acute diarrhea is defined as the sudden onset of 3 or more loose stools per day and lasts no longer than 14 days. This is often referred to as or a cause of Pile aka Jedi-Jedi but it’s not.

Chronic diarrhoea refers to passing loose watery stool consistently that lasts for more than 14 days and it’s a known cause of pile.

What about CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR?

A technical report by the World Health Organization (WHO) provided evidence that high intake of sugary drinks (including fruit juice) increased the risk of obesity by adding to overall energy intake.
The “empty calories” argument states that a diet high in added sugar will reduce consumption of foods that contain essential nutrients.

By itself, sugar is not a factor causing obesity, haemorrhoids and metabolic syndrome but when over consumed is a component of unhealthy dietary behaviour.

Several things can exert pressure on the rectum but high intake of sugar is not one of them. Since high intake of sugar does not exert pressure on the rectum then sugar does not cause pile but it has been found out that pile can be implicated by sugar because it aggravates the pain caused by haemorrhoid and makes pile last longer than it should last.

The main thing sugar does is to increase and aggravate pile and makes it worse thereby causing great pain.

Signs and Symptoms

Seeing blood in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement is no doubt alarming, but it’s one of the main symptoms of haemorrhoids. Other symptoms are;

• Painless bleeding during bowel movement.
• There might be itching or irritation on the anal region.
• Pain or discomfort swelling around the anus.
• A lump near the anus, which may be sensitive or painful.
• Bright red blood on toilet paper or in stool after a bowel movement.

Prevention

• Eat high-fibre foods: Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help avoid the straining that can cause haemorrhoids. Add fibre to diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids (not alcohol) each day to help keep stools soft.
• Don’t strain: Straining and holding breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum.
• Go as soon as you feel the urge: Passing of bowel movement should not be delayed so that the stool does not become dry and get harder to pass out.
• Exercise: Stay active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins, which can occur with long periods of standing or sitting. Exercise can also help to lose excess weight that may be contributing to haemorrhoids.
• Avoid long periods of sitting: Sitting too long, particularly on the toilet, can increase the pressure on the veins in the anus.

Treatment

In the majority of cases, piles resolve on their own without the need for any treatment. However, some treatments can help significantly reduce the discomfort and itching that many people experience with piles such as use of pain relief drugs, dietary modifications and surgery.

Consult a Certified Doctor or a Registered Nurse regarding treatment as the regimen differs, depending on the type of pile/haemorrhoid a person has.

Unpatented Herbs and so called elixirs that have not been scientifically proven to cure pile could aggravate it as their content is unknown, avoid them.

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