Four simple ways to prevent Hemorrhoids

1. Go when you need to go

This sounds like common-sense advice, but too many people ignore it. If you delay using the bathroom, your stool may become hard and dry in your bowel, which makes it harder to pass. If you strain to pass stool, your risk for hemorrhoids rises.

Speaking of straining, don’t force a bowel movement when you don’t need to go, either. Straining increases the pressure on your venous cushions, which leads to hemorrhoids. In particular, straining can turn internal hemorrhoids into external ones.

2. Don’t turn the bathroom into a library

Think of your time in the bathroom as a necessity, not an extended escape. If your toilet has stacks of magazines or books on the water tank, consider moving them to another room.

Why? The more time you spend on the toilet, the more likely you will strain for bowel movements. Also, the seated position puts extra stress on your anal blood vessels. Both of these factors boost your risk of haemorrhoids.

3. Reassess your diet

To prevent hemorrhoids, you want stool that is soft and easy to pass. You can reach the right consistency by making smart diet choices and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.  lack of fiber is the most common culprit. For example, if you find yourself constipated, try getting more fiber from green vegetables and100 percent whole grains. If need be, ask your doctor about taking fiber supplements, but start by trying to get fiber through your diet. Fiber can help you avoid constipation, and constipation — which leads to straining — is a risk factor for hemorrhoids.

Fiber comes with a warning, though. Some people have what we call “slow transit constipation.” Their bowels move slower than normal. For these people, excess fiber tends to sit in the gut and make constipation worse.

Also, listen to your body and avoid foods that irritate your bowels. For some people, the lactose in dairy products is an irritant. For others, it’s gluten or too many refined foods.

4. Get moving

Exercise helps improve or prevent many bowel and digestive issues, including hemorrhoids. When you are sedentary, everything slows down, including your bowels.

Exercise helps keep waste moving through your intestinal tract. In turn, this helps you avoid constipation and dry, hard stool. Walking, running, biking, yoga — take your pick, but choose an active lifestyle.

One note of caution, though: Avoid heavy-duty weight-lifting squats and similar motions that increase abdominal pressure. If you’re trying to prevent hemorrhoids, these exercises can do more harm than good.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Stoma

What is a Stoma?
A stoma is a surgically created opening connecting an internal organ to the surface of the body. The most common types of stomas in intestinal surgery are "ileostomy" (connection of small intestine to the abdominal wall) and a "colostomy" (connecting the large intestine to the abdominal wall).

A stoma may be temporary or permanent. A temporary stoma may be required if the intestinal tract cannot be properly prepared for surgery because of blockage by disease or scar tissue. It may also be created to allow inflammation or an operative site to heal without contamination by stool. Temporary stoma can usually be reversed with minimal or no loss of intestinal function.

A permanent stoma may be required when disease, or its treatment impairs normal intestinal function or when the muscles that control elimination do not work properly or require removal; e.g. in low rectal cancer.

How Will I Control My Bowel Movements?
Once a stoma has been created, your stoma nurse will teach you to attach and care for a pouch called a stoma appliance (stoma bag). The pouch is made of plastic and is held to the body with an adhesive. The pouch is disposable and is emptied or changed as needed. The system is quite secure; "accidents" are not common and the pouches are odour-free.

Your bowel movements will naturally empty into the pouch. The frequency and quantity of your bowel movements will vary, depending on the type of stoma you have, your diet and your bowel habits prior to surgery.

Will Other People Know That I Have A Stoma?
Not unless you tell them. It is easily hidden by your usual clothing. You probably have met people with a stoma and not realised it!


Where Will The Stoma Be?
It is best placed on a flat portion of the abdominal wall. Before undergoing surgery to create a stoma, your stoma nurse will mark an appropriate place on your abdominal wall not constricted by your belt-line. A colostomy is usually placed to the left of your navel and an ileostomy to the right.

Will My Physical Activities Be Limited?
Usually no. All your usual activities, including active sports may be resumed once healing from surgery is complete.

Will A Stoma Affect My Sex Life?
Most patients with stomas resume their usual sexual activity. Many people worry about how their partner will think of them because of their appliance. This perceived change in one's body image can be overcome by a strong relationship, time and patience. Support groups are also available.

What Are The Complications of A Stoma?
Local skin irritation can occur; usually minor and can be easily remedied. Problems such as a hernia associated with the stoma or prolapse of the stoma (protrusion of the bowel) occasionally require surgery if they cause significant symptoms.




Living with a stoma will require some adjustments and learning, but an active and fulfilling life is still possible and likely. Your surgeon and stoma nurse will provide you with skills and support to help you better live with your stoma.

Source: ASCRS