Hemorrhoids

Don't write them. Today, it's a vacant lot.

     Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids may result from straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins during pregnancy, among other causes. 
     Hemorrhoids may be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids). They are common and by age 50 about half of adults have to deal with the itching, discomfort and bleeding that can signal the presence of hemorrhoids. Fortunately, many effective options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Most people can get relief from symptoms by using home treatments and making lifestyle changes. 
     When I was aboard a US Navy ship in the mid-1960's, while crossing the Atlantic we were placed on “water rations.” In order to conserve fresh water shower use was forbidden and in order to make sure nobody took a shower, the ship's Master at Arms came around with a wrench and took the handles off all the showers then he would make frequent inspections just to make sure they hadn't been tampered with. I was assigned duty in the ship's sickbay working on medical records and in one of the sickbay's compartments there was a shower from which the handles had been removed and… there was also a Sitz Bath. When he removed the shower handles, the Master at Arms had no idea what the Sitz bath was. So, every night all the hospital corpsman would grab a towel and bar of soap and announce they were going to soak their hemorrhoids. The Master at Arms came through one day and was loudly asking where were we all taking showers. After being told nobody in sickbay was taking a showers, he called us all liars and he KNEW we were showering because nobody in sickbay stunk and we all smelled of aftershave. He announced, “I'm gonna find that (expletive deleted) shower and I'm placing all you (expletive deleted) on report!” After a half hour of diligent searching, he could find no shower that had been in use and gave up.

Relief: 
1. Fill Up on Fiber Hemorrhoids are more likely to occur in people who have infrequent bowel movements. One of the easiest, most natural ways to become more regular is by filling up on fiber either through your diet or supplements. Aim to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. Great food sources of fiber include: Legumes, such as split peas, lentils, black beans, Lima beans, and baked beans Whole grains, such as barley, bran flakes, oatmeal, and brown rice Vegetables, such as artichoke, green peas, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts Fruits, such as raspberries, pears, apples, and bananas 
2. Drink Water This hemorrhoid prevention strategy is simple and cheap. Adequate hydration from water is the key to having healthy bowel movements. Drinking six to eight glasses of water each day doesn't just keep your digestive system running smoothly, it benefits your entire body. 
3. Get Exercise Exercise helps keep the colon more regular and engaging in activities that increase abdominal pressure and/or straining (such as weightlifting) can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids. Activity reduces time spent sitting and putting pressure on the veins in your lower rectum. 
4. Be Careful Using Laxatives When you’re constipated, some fiber supplements, particularly psyllium capsules, have a track record of helping get you more regular, which can prevent painful hemorrhoids. The safest laxatives are those that work with your body rather than those that stimulate or simulate normal physiological activities. Some laxatives work by stimulating intestinal contraction to move the contents along and might increase hemorrhoid pressure. 
5. Don’t Fight the Urge When you have to go, go. This is one of the simplest ways to prevent hemorrhoids! 
6. Avoid Straining Straining and putting more pressure on the veins in your rectum is one of the most common causes of painful or bleeding hemorrhoids. Other situations can cause straining too, such as lifting heavy objects, a chronic cough, or even pregnancy. 

Hemorrhoid Prevention at Web MD 
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