Pile, another fast killing sickness

Haemorrhoids otherwise known as pile are fasting claiming the lives of people due to ignorance on how to treat. In Nigeria, many resort to traditional cure while others prefer to cut it.

Wale Arowolo, 38, a computer analyst, was diagnosed for haemorrhoids otherwise known as pile. His doctor told him that it is going to be cut but Arowolo, considering where he comes, from the western part of Nigeria, where they use herbs for cure, he opted for traditional medicine. Arowolo is today hale and hearty and doing very well. He has been cured of pile.

Emeka Edozie, also had the same problem, and when he met his doctor, he was told that it was going to be cut off. Edozie consulted widely with his friends and one of them suggested traditional medicine but because he does not like taking sour substance, he opted for the pile to be cut.

Oni Bakare was however not lucky as he was a victim of pile. Just like Emeka Edozie, he couldn’t take traditional medicine and opted for the pile to be cut but he did not live to tell the story as the cutting affected his intestine and claimed his life.

Pile has claimed so many lives while some are still living after the operation. Some medical experts said the operation of pile depends on the individuals that are why some people after the operation don’t have any problem. They also claimed that the surgeon who carries out the operation can determine the fate of the patient. How effective the operation is will determine the fate of the patient whether he will survive it or not.

Hemorrhoid cushions are a part of normal human anatomy and only become a pathological disease when they experience abnormal changes. There are three cushions present in the normal anal canal. They are important for continence, contributing to at rest 15–20% of anal closure pressure and act to protect the anal sphincter muscles during the passage of stool. Hemorrhoids are present in everyone. It is only when the hemorrhoidal cushions enlarge that hemorrhoids can cause problems and be considered abnormal or a disease.

Hemorrhoids that cause problems are found both in men and women, and their prevalence peaks between 45 and 65 years of age.

Dr. Jones Okechukwu of Crusaders Hospital, Abuja describes haemorrhoids as vascular structures in the anal canal which help with stool control. According to him, they become pathological or piles when swollen or inflamed. The symptoms of pathological hemorrhoids depend on the type present. Internal hemorrhoids usually present with painless rectal bleeding while external hemorrhoids present with pain in the area of the anus.

Okechukwu said there is solution for pile. He said increasing fiber intake, oral fluids to maintain hydration, sitz baths, and rest can help to treat it. He claimed that surgery is reserved for those who fail to improve following these measures.

He classified pile into two types, external and internal. According to Dr. Jones, external hemorrhoids are those that occur below the dentate or pectinate line. They are sometimes painful, and often accompanied by swelling and irritation. Itching is a symptom of external hemorrhoids, due to skin irritation. The skin irritation may be brought about by the inflammation of the external hemorrhoid which in turn leads to a barely noticeable watery discharge and skin irritation.

“Prolapsed hemorrhoids are internal hemorrhoids that are so distended that they are pushed outside the anus. If the anal sphincter muscle goes into spasm and traps a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside the anal opening, the supply of blood is cut off, and the hemorrhoid becomes a strangulated hemorrhoid.”

However, some of the signs and symptoms of pile are itching, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding. Others include mucous discharge, fecal incontinence, painful swelling and a lump around the anus. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, a condition known as hematochezia, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl.

Some experts believe that pile is hereditary while people in elderly age may also experience it because of weakening of their vein walls. Constipation is of the major reason for piles in most of the adults. Usually people suffering from constipation put lot of pressure in the coursework of passing chair that damages the veins & arteries in the area around anus & that ends in the inflammation & swelling.

Some ladies also experience piles during pregnancy because of hormonal changes. Research also shows that during pregnancy, pressure from the fetus on the abdomen and hormonal changes can cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. Delivery also leads to increased intra-abdominal pressures. Surgical treatment is rarely needed, as symptoms usually resolve post delivery.

Findings also show that defective dietary habits end in piles. Usually individuals who eat low fiber diet & do not include fresh vegetables, fruits or whole grains in their diet are most likely to suffer from this issue. Irregular meals may cause piles. Also eating much of spicy food may cause issue of piles. Sometimes frequent dysentery can also aggravate the issue of piles. Strenuous physical exercise & sometimes sitting in incorrect postures for long times can also trigger issue of piles.

However, experts still believe that increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, and obesity are other causes.

Dr. Okechukwu said the best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they pass easily, thus decreasing pressure and straining, and to empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs. He disclosed that piles are usually not dangerous or life threatening.

He also claimed that exercise, including walking, and increased fiber in the diet can help reduce constipation and straining by producing stools that are softer and easier to pass. He recommended that people should spend less time defecating and also avoid reading while in the toilet. Avoid highly seasoned or irritating foods that may cause anal pain.

“Sufferers of piles are advised to keep away from frozen citrus juices contain irritating pulps that are painful to hemorrhoid sufferers, spices and hot peppers. People must include lots of raw vegetables, fresh fruits & whole grains in their diet to increase the intake of fibre. Drinking lots of water also helps. In the case of extreme issue it is always advisable to think about a doctor to get rid of the issue.”

However, new methods have been developed to tackle pile without surgery. According to Dr. Jacob Connor of Washington University School of Medicine, there is hemorrhoid injection and the rubber-band method. He said they are an improvement over the older operation of surgical hemorrhoidectomy, which required hospitalization and extensive anesthesia.

He however disclosed that he cannot tell which of the newer methods would be most appropriate for anyone because it depends on the extent of the problem, the location of the hemorrhoids, internal or external and the preference of the surgeon. Medical experts said it is good news especially for the victims of pile who have resorted to cutting which is seen as dangerous by ‘herbalists’.