Dr. Isaac Asiamah, Medical Practitioner with Narh-Bita Hospital at Tema, is urging Ghanaians to engage in healthy lifestyle and also drink plenty of fluids to avoid the development of haemorrhoids (piles).
According to him, Piles can be painful and debilitating and it does not usually pose any ongoing threat to one’s health and can be self-managed up to grades 3 or 4.
He indicated that, if a complication develops, such as a fistula, it could become serious.
“Haemorrhoids (piles) are enlarged blood vessels that you can get inside or around your anus (the opening of your bottom). It’s completely normal to have blood vessels in your anus, as they play an important role in continence. But piles can develop if these blood vessels become enlarged, which can cause symptoms” he explained on Plan B FM ‘ApomudenFie’ with Nana Konadu Okontie.
He went on to say that, Piles are divided into two categories; internal piles and external piles.
“Internal piles start inside your anal canal, but they might hang down and come out your anus. They are graded according to whether they come out. External piles, on the other hand, occur close to the anus below the anal canal. It can be painful if blood clots inside the lumps.
Piles develop when the veins in your anal canal become swollen, which may happen for a number of reasons, such as if you strain when you go to the toilet, for example if you have constipation or long-lasting diarrhea. Getting older, your anal canal weakens with age, which makes piles more likely,” Dr. Asimah remarked.
He also added that, Piles do not always cause pain or other symptoms, but if you do have symptoms, they might include, bleeding when you visit the washroom. You may see blood usually bright red on toilet paper or drips in the toilet or on the surface of your poo. Itchy or sore skin around your anus, pain and discomfort after you go to the toilet.
Dr. Asiamah further advises Ghanaians to make a few changes to their diet and lifestyle to help with the symptoms of piles.
“I will entreat everybody to drink enough fluids to keep hydrated, keep active and exercise each day. There might be some activities that you may find difficult if you have external piles. Generally, physical activity is good for your health and shouldn’t make your piles worse. There are plenty of treatments that can relieve your symptoms. If you have mild bleeding from piles every now and then, change your diet and lifestyle to prevent constipation, this may be all you need to get better,” he concluded.
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