10 interesting facts about the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoids

is the collective name for pathologies of the rectum, in which the internal and external hemorrhoidal plexuses located in the anal canal increase in size.
If the outflow of blood is disrupted, internal nodes can fall out and bleed, and sometimes complications arise, for example, thrombosis, which is accompanied by severe pain. Most often, this disease is caused by a genetic predisposition, but the “trigger mechanism” for the development of hemorrhoids most often becomes everyday habits, lifestyle and natural physiological processes (hemorrhoids during pregnancy, in patients over 50 years old)
.

We have collected several important facts about the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoids in one article to refute misconceptions and recall the main points that will help you avoid becoming a victim of this “popular” disease.

If you have the following symptoms of hemorrhoids:

• pain when defecating, sitting and walking,
• bloody stool
• prolapse of hemorrhoids,
• itching in the anus

consultation with a proctologist is required

! A doctor of this specialization will help solve your problem carefully and effectively by prescribing competent therapy.

Our clinic is hosted by a leading proctologist, author of scientific works, and a surgeon with more than 40 years of experience
Sergey Dmitrievich Trukhmanov .
You can make an appointment with the doctor in person or take
an online consultation with a proctologist .

Online consultation with proctologist S.D. Trukhmanov
will be useful if:
1) you do not have the opportunity to come to the Pirogov clinic;

2) you would like to receive expert advice from a doctor and adjust conservative treatment;

3) surgery for hemorrhoids was indicated for you.

To prevent hemorrhoids, it is important to maintain a drinking regime.

Glass of water

on an empty stomach or
a cup of coffee
daily before the morning toilet improves intestinal motility.

For constipation, it is useful to drink water containing magnesium ions or sulfate

. Drink a glass of mineralized water at room temperature 3 times a day.

Special herbal infusions for the intestines and even ordinary green tea are useful. The latter contains flavonoids - natural antioxidants and tannins, which increase vascular tone and reduce the severity of the inflammatory process in the tissues of the anus. It is important that green tea is of high quality and properly brewed. For gastritis and stomach ulcers, green tea may be contraindicated.

at least 2 liters of liquid per day

.

cognac is extremely harmful to the intestines.

- it has a toxic toxic effect on the cavernous tissue of hemorrhoids and “corrodes” it.

Is it possible to massage hemorrhoids?

Massage for this disease is an effective therapeutic procedure; this procedure is carried out as prescribed by a doctor and is indicated if the disease is not in an acute stage. With the help of this effect, you can relieve the patient of constipation and soften the stool. It is also used to stimulate blood supply, eliminate congestion, and increase tissue tone.

It is important that this procedure is carried out by an experienced specialist.

Massage treatment for illness has some contraindications:

• acute form;
• the presence of pathologies of the intestines and stomach;
• the presence of neoplasms in the pelvic area;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• tuberculosis.

What foods are good for preventing intestinal diseases?

In order not to risk your health and not be a victim of hemorrhoids, it is recommended to include more vegetables, fruits and fiber in your daily diet.

For the prevention of hemorrhoids it is useful:

1. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables (apples, avocado, pumpkin, broccoli)
2. Beetroot and beet salad
3. Freshly squeezed juice, especially pumpkin juice
4. Prunes
5. Chew food thoroughly

Harmful:

1. Hot, spicy, fried, smoked
2. Marinades
3. Eat dry
4. Soda
5. Whole milk
6. Baking and flour
7. Lots of sweets
8. Pasta, white rice and bread
9. Canned food

If microflora disorders are detected, it is better to cure them. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe probiotics that restore the intestinal microbiome, and enzymes that help digest food.

*For patients with diagnosed intestinal disease, the diet is individually prescribed by a doctor.

Is it possible to work out in the gym with hemorrhoids?

Movement improves blood flow, especially in the pelvic organs. But coming to the gym and immediately starting to work out intensely is harmful. In untrained people, the walls of blood vessels are weak, which is why there is a risk of illness. You need to start exercising with minimal loads, gradually increasing them. If you have already been diagnosed with hemorrhoids, you should not give up sports and fitness. After all, with the right approach, the disease can be cured, and so that it does not recur and strength training becomes possible, you should follow simple recommendations:

• be sure to consult a doctor about treatment and complete the full course;
• move more;
• observe drinking regime;
• eat a balanced diet;
• give up bad habits, coffee and spicy seasonings;
• after going to the toilet, it is advisable to wash yourself with liquid baby soap that does not contain aggressive components;
• periodically make herbal baths;
• perform Kegel exercises.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=embed/Pz3wiZBT-QY

Is it true that anal sex leads to hemorrhoids?

There is no data that would reliably confirm the correlation between anal sex and, for example, hemorrhoids. The main danger of anal sex is, of course, the transmission of infections, for example, the human papillomavirus, which causes cancer. human papillomas. Even Koch bacilli - the culprit of tuberculosis - in 5% of cases live in the rectum, and not just in the lungs.

“Non-standard” sex can lead to anal fissures, damage to the mucous membrane, and bleeding. Insufficiency of the anal sphincter also develops, which can lead to fecal incontinence. And weakening of the ligaments leads to prolapse of hemorrhoids.

Evidence-based medicine does not answer this question, but it’s better to be careful.

Who should refrain from exercising?

After numerous observations and examinations of people who are fond of strength sports, specialists have identified subgroups of people who should avoid bodybuilding.

Thus, an intense influx of venous blood and its stagnation in the area of ​​varicose veins on the vessels surrounding the rectum can provoke acute thrombosis - an extremely unpleasant complication. In some cases it even ends in death. Therefore, in the last stage of hemorrhoids, strength exercises are absolutely contraindicated.

In cases where the pathology is more of an external nature - hemorrhoidal defects can be visually noticed without the use of special equipment, there is a high risk of strangulation of the nodes. Especially when lifting weights, when a flow of blood rushes to the pelvis in combination with a sharp jump in intra-abdominal pressure. The situation becomes extremely unfavorable - emergency surgery is required. Weightlifting and hemorrhoids in this case are absolute antagonists to each other.

Doctors also recommend refraining from attending bodybuilding sessions for those people who are experiencing an exacerbation of the chronic course of hemorrhoids. At any stage, a situation may arise when the node is overly inflamed, overflowing with venous blood and prone to injury. Bleeding that accompanies an exacerbation of the disease is quite capable of becoming profuse, profuse, up to vascular collapse.

A subgroup at risk for the formation of varicose defects in the pelvis also includes people who have a negative hereditary predisposition - congenital weakness of the venous plexuses. Such a predisposition can be noticed by the presence of an enhanced vascular pattern, for example, on the lower extremities.

Acceptable exercises

Many, having learned that increased intra-abdominal pressure contributes to the exacerbation and worsening of the symptoms of hemorrhoids, begin to think that strengthening the abdominal muscles is not necessary at all. This is a completely erroneous opinion - the abs can and should be trained. Just do the exercises according to a special program - in a gentle, so to speak, mode.

Gymnastics without excessive weights must be carried out under the supervision of a trainer:

1. From a lying position on the floor, raise your legs up. Then cross them one by one, and then move them apart - 2-3 approaches of 10-20 times.
2. Lie on the mat on your back. Raise your pelvis as high as possible. Stay in this position for 10–15 seconds. Gradually return to the starting position. Perform 2–3 approaches, up to 20–30 times in total.
3. Sit on the floor, with your legs straightened as much as possible. Moving with the help of your buttocks, imitate walking for at least 10–15 minutes.
4. Remember how the cat arches its back, and repeat after it - standing on all fours, arch the spine up and then down. Perform at least 30–50 times.
5. The stilt exercise is an excellent way to disperse stagnant blood in the pelvis - walking around the room with your legs raised high. In this case, the feet must be placed, slightly crossed - one after the other.
6. Exercise “seal” - from a lying position on the floor with support on your elbows, as well as knees and palms, turn your torso in different directions. At the same time, touch the mat on the floor with your buttocks.
7. Take a lying position on your back, while slowly squeezing and unclenching your buttocks. Try to retract the rectum - up to 15-20 times.

And only after such a “warm-up” can you begin the main bodybuilding exercises - be sure to adhere to proper breathing. However, with the exception of complexes that require effort on the abdominals.

Is it possible to cure hemorrhoids using traditional methods?

Herbal baths, decoctions and compresses are appropriate only as part of combined conservative therapy for uncomplicated hemorrhoids. We are not aware of cases in which these isolated measures would be truly effective. Traditional methods of treating hemorrhoids should be treated especially carefully and from a critical point of view. Still, we are talking about a serious pathology of the rectum, often with cracks, prolapse of nodes and even thrombosis. Self-medication can be dangerous.

A separate group of proctologist patients are those whom doctors treat for complications after treatment with traditional methods.

They will definitely not help with hemorrhoids:

• ice candles
• fresh potato paste
• aloe leaf
• cucumbers from the garden
• steam baths
• leeches

Exercises that can be harmful

Not every gymnastics for hemorrhoids can be useful. Very often, patients get overly carried away by trying to improve their condition and go to a regular gym, without telling the trainer about their delicate problem.

Exercises that can worsen the condition and even cause hemorrhoids to worsen include:

• strength training that uses heavy weights;
• Weightlifting;
• working out the abdominal muscles in the classical way (lifting the torso or legs);
• performing deep squats.

The permitted exercises will not bring any benefit if you perform them sharply, quickly, and at the same time hold your breath.

(video about strength training and hemorrhoids)

Is it true that pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids?

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids during pregnancy are a really common problem. The fact is that in pregnant women, the growing uterus puts pressure on the lower abdomen. It is the compression of the veins, combined with low physical activity, that leads to the development of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Very often, the disease makes itself felt in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, but in the presence of a hereditary predisposition, it manifests itself earlier - already from 10-15 weeks.

If you have problems with the intestines, we recommend treating them in advance, at the stage of
pregnancy planning .
You should not worry about hemorrhoids during pregnancy - they can be treated conservatively (without surgery). We recommend that you consult an experienced doctor: he will give recommendations on adjusting your diet, exercise, and prescribe safe medications.

Recommendations

• During any physical activity, make sure that tension or weight lifting is accompanied by an exhalation. You need to exhale during the phase of maximum effort, thereby compensating for the increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity.
• Proper nutrition is of great importance. One should eat foods rich in indigestible fibers as they cleanse the intestines and prevent constipation problems. You should avoid eating large meals before training because it increases pressure on the abdominal cavity. Avoid unhealthy foods with lots of salt and empty calories.
• Be sure to drink water while exercising. Dehydration leads to constipation and thickening of the blood.
• Defecation should occur spontaneously. That is, it is impossible to hold back the urge for a long time through volitional efforts, if they arise. The faster you get to the toilet, the lower the risk of hemorrhoids.
• Good hygiene is necessary for both prevention and treatment of existing disease. Use neutral soap or special wet wipes for hemorrhoids, treat the anal area more often, especially after exercise.

If hemorrhoids still bother you, stop physical activity for a while and contact your doctor for further advice.

Treatment of hemorrhoids without surgery: what therapy does the doctor prescribe?

Hemorrhoids are a collective name for diseases of the rectum with a corresponding set of symptoms. The classification of hemorrhoids is extensive, so adequate treatment is prescribed after examination, and recommendations for a treatment regimen are strictly individual.

Generally speaking, treatment for hemorrhoids without surgery includes:

• Correction of diet and diet to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Herbal medicines;
• Drug therapy;
• Physiotherapy;
• Minimally invasive non-surgical treatment methods: sclerotherapy, coagulation or ligation of hemorrhoids.

How are hemorrhoids treated?

The disease is treated using two methods: conservative and surgical. In the early stages, patients are prescribed a treatment regimen that includes oral and topical medications, as well as injections. The choice in favor of certain medications should be made by an experienced specialist after examination and thorough diagnosis. The treatment regimen for patients is individual and determined by the clinical picture, as well as the presence of other concomitant diseases (fissures, etc.), if any.

During surgical treatment, the nodes are excised. Latex ligation and infrared coagulation of hemorrhoids (not removal or laser treatment) are highly effective and minimally invasive methods in the treatment of proctological diseases, allowing the patient to be cured in the safest ways. After undergoing rehabilitation, the patient must strictly adhere to medical recommendations so that the disease does not develop again.

Is it true that hemorrhoid surgery is painful?

Any surgical intervention is associated with some discomfort during the rehabilitation period. However, our clinic performs minimally traumatic operations using a laser or ultrasonic scalpel, as well as using the improved technique of Milligan-Morgan, Longo, etc. Thanks to modern technology and the experience of our surgeons, patients recover after surgery without prolonged bed rest.

Read more about the treatment of hemorrhoids at the Pirogov Clinic (St. Petersburg)

9. What methods of intestinal examination exist?

This or an X-ray examination - irrigoscopy

,
passage of barium through the intestines;
or endoscopic: sigmoidoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy. Capsule endoscopy also allows complete visualization of the small intestinal cavity.

For other methods there are separate, strictly limited indications.

Run

Running if you have hemorrhoidal disease is also very useful. After all, such a workout will help strengthen the body as a whole, increase blood circulation, and also strengthen the abdominal muscles. At the same time, running does not create pressure in the intra-abdominal area.

It is also worth noting that running helps fight obesity. This is very important for patients with hemorrhoids. After all, excess weight is one of its causes.

The most useful thing in this case is jogging. This type of running is very effective and does not put stress on the joints. At the same time, jogging is best done in nature.

You should not run if you have bleeding or aggravated hemorrhoids. In this case, classes will have to be postponed until this problem is resolved. You should also refrain from this method of treatment in the postoperative period.

For running to bring only benefits, you need to adhere to several rules. They will help optimize your classes.

Rules :

1. Start your runs right. You need to warm up before them, and the running itself needs to start at a slow pace. This will reduce stress on the joints and prevent sprains and fractures.
2. Gradually increase your speed. However, you need to listen to your body. If discomfort occurs, you need to slow down.
3. You need to finish your run by walking. It is also useful to perform breathing exercises.

Running can be quite difficult at first. However, if you exercise regularly, gradually increasing the load, then soon it will become a way of life and will bring only pleasure.

Preventive exercises for hemorrhoidal disease

The basis of exercises that prevent the development of varicose veins is the training of certain muscle groups:

• pelvis;
• perineal;
• gluteal;
• anterior abdominal wall.

Among them, it is necessary to choose those that do not cause discomfort or pain during their implementation. Initial loads should be small. In the future, the number of various movements and the number of repetitions are increased, but they are performed smoothly, without sudden jerks or holding the breath - this increases the pressure in the pelvic vessels and causes congestion. It is important to do gymnastics regularly. All of the above exercises are suitable. Prevention needs to be done constantly. To do this, you need not only to periodically conduct courses of anti-hemorrhoidal gymnastics, but also to lead an active lifestyle.

When choosing a training complex, you should avoid exercises that require holding your breath, as they can increase intra-abdominal pressure and provoke anal bleeding.

Prevention of hemorrhoids[edit | edit code]

When playing sports[edit | edit code]

• It is necessary to exclude, first of all, those exercises that cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (barbell squats, deadlifts, etc.)
• Give preference to isolation exercises rather than basic exercises.
• Use lighter weights and perform more reps
• Don't hold your breath while doing the exercise
• Try to consciously reduce pressure on the rectum while performing the exercise.
• During the acute period, it is better to avoid lifting weights altogether.

In nutrition[edit | edit code]

• Avoid alcohol and spicy foods
• Reduce your tea and coffee consumption
• Use fiber from 30 g per day
• Eat more vegetables
• Make sure your stool has a mushy consistency. If stools are too hard, use laxatives (senna extract or bisacodyl)
• Drink more fluids

Motor activity[edit | edit code]

• Walk more
• Go swimming
• Don't sit for more than 3 hours at a time. It is necessary to periodically perform deep squats (or walking) to improve blood flow in the lower pelvis.

General recommendations[edit | edit code]

• Use only soft toilet paper, and even better, wash yourself every time after using the toilet.
• Don't wear tight underwear
• Don't push while sitting on the toilet. The intestines should empty without much effort; if this does not happen, then you need to take more fiber or use laxatives.

Changing our lifestyle

Since one of the causes of hemorrhoids is poor blood circulation in the vessels, which is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, this habit needs to be completely changed. If you don’t have the time or desire to exercise, then just start walking. Walk every day, if possible, walk to and from work. Add here a daily routine of simple exercises, and you will greatly reduce the risk of hemorrhoids.

Important! If there are initial signs of hemorrhoids, then lifting weights in the gym is contraindicated!

Can you lift weights or not?

If there is a predisposition to the development of hemorrhoidal disease, then some strength exercises are prohibited. But you can do bodybuilding at the same time. You must adhere to certain rules.

Under the guidance of specialists, you need to correctly calculate the types and intensity of physical exercise. The decision to take up this sport should be supported by a consultation with a proctologist. The specialist will correctly determine the degree and severity of the disease. He will tell the patient individually about all the risks and possible complications.

Uncontrolled strength training can lead straight to the surgeon's operating table

Of these, he will most likely exclude deadlift exercises. It will prohibit movements on the abs, as well as any loads that increase intra-abdominal pressure.

Failure to follow these rules usually results in surgery! Constant physical activity during an exacerbation of hemorrhoids in 90% of cases leads to serious proctological complications.