Hemorrhoids - no false shame
Larissa Melville completed her traineeship in the editorial team of . After studying biology at Ludwig Maximilians University and the Technical University of Munich, she first got to know digital media online at Focus and then decided to learn medical journalism from scratch.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.MunichItching and pain in the buttocks or even blood in the stool - mostly enlarged hemorrhoids are behind it. A doctor should treat this - there is no need to be ashamed.
Everyone has hemorrhoids. The sponge-like vascular pads are part of the erectile tissue in the rectum and serve to seal the anus. They only cause discomfort when they are enlarged: The skin itches and burns, the stool causes pain and air, stool or stool escapes unintentionally.
Don't be ashamed of going to the doctor
Many people downplay the problem - mostly out of shame. But a visit to the doctor is advisable. Untreated hemorrhoids can lead to bleeding or anal eczema, among other things. Many sufferers use over-the-counter ointments, creams or hip baths, which alleviate the symptoms for a short time. However, enlarged hemorrhoids cannot be remedied this way, says Professor Markus Steinert, dermatologist and expert on rectal diseases. Also, only a doctor can rule out that the symptoms are not due to other causes such as an anal fissure or even a cancerous ulcer. "The earlier a hemorrhoidal disease is treated, the easier the therapy is, as a rule," adds the expert.
Removing hemorrhoids
The doctor obliterates small hemorrhoids with the help of a syringe. However, if the annoying companions are already larger, a so-called rubber ring ligation is used - parts of the hemorrhoid are tied off and fall off after a short time. Surgical intervention is only necessary for very large hemorrhoids that can no longer be pushed back.
Tips for prevention
But it doesn't have to come to that. There are a few things you can do to help prevent hemorrhoids.
- Prevent constipation. A high-fiber diet with lots of vegetables, fruit and whole grain products supports digestion.
- On the other hand, you should avoid foods that easily lead to constipation - such as white bread, black tea, chocolate or bananas.
- Drink plenty - at least two liters a day.
- Get moving - even a daily walk is good for digestion.
- Avoid pushing on the toilet. This promotes the development of hemorrhoids. It is best if the bowel movement settles on its own.
- You shouldn't let it become a habit to sit on the toilet bowl for long periods of time, as it puts strain on the blood vessels.
- Furthermore, wet wipes can irritate the skin and even trigger allergies.
The tendency to enlarged hemorrhoids is innate. However, it is particularly common for seniors, pregnant women and overweight people. And people with constipation as well as those with frequent diarrhea often bother with it. In addition, constant sitting can encourage the emergence of annoying excesses.
Source:
Press release of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists e.V., hautInform February 2015
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