HEMORRHOIDS IN SENIORS

HEMORRHOIDS IN SENIORS

Introduction

The first question that one would ask himself / herself is what are hemorrhoids? Well hemorrhoids in simple terms refer to varicose veins of the rectum and the anus i.e. they are the swollen and irritating anal veins that occur due to the strained bowel movements, improper diet as well as constipation. Application of pressure into these swollen veins through the strained bowel movement leads to the rapture of the veins that causes a lot of pain, bleeding and also irritation. There are two types of the hemorrhoid conditions i.e. external and internal hemorrhoids. It is a condition that is very common among the elderly.

What causes hemorrhoids in seniors?

As one advances in age, quite a number of changes occur in their bodies such could be in health and also lifestyle in general. This makes them more susceptible to hemorrhoids than people at a younger age. This is due to the direct relationship between health & lifestyle and the hemorrhoids causes.

Such include;

Constipation

Elderly people are always prone to chronic constipation due to their tendency to take in foods that can easily be chewed and digested. The bowel movements become strained as a result and sometimes there can be no bowel movements at all since the stool may remain held in the rectum. Also due to the advanced age, the sphincter muscle tend to be weaker.

Soil age

If there is a significant weakening of the sphincter muscles, soilage may occur as a result of lack of control in the bowel movement. The consequence will be undue leakage from the veins and thus the irritation of the veins which may lead to advanced hemorrhoid condition.
Other causes of this condition may include chronic diarrhea, inactive lifestyle, and also weak anal sphincter muscles.

Control and treatment

Fortunately, the condition can be treated through a number of ways that includes;
Taking in food high in fiber
As mentioned earlier, among the causes of hemorrhoids is chronic constipation and thus to relief this, one has to take foods that are rich in fiber. Such foods include fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If one experiences difficulty in chewing the foods, it is advisable to prepare them using a blender or even steaming the vegetables thus making them soft and easy to both chew and digest.

Increasing water intake

Taking in more water will help to keep ones body hydrated and thus relief or even prevent constipation. Another benefit of drinking a lot of water is that it helps to clean ones body hence making it toxin free. It is recommended that one drinks up to eight or more glasses of water every day.

Avoid laxatives

By all means one should avoid laxatives and alternatively use natural foods (e.g. prunes and stool softeners) that are high in fiber.

Use of sitz baths

Using sitz baths is not only a safe and effective method but also one that is applicable to all types of hemorrhoids. A warm sitz bath consists of warm water where one sits on for up to twenty minutes many times in a day. When one is finished with it the next step is to thoroughly dry the affected area with the help of a soft towel. They could lightly dust the area with baby powder before dressing as well.

Use of ice compresses

This is done by placing some ice inside a soft cloth then applying it to the affected area. The area will be numbed by the cold temperature thus relieving the pain. Although the method is temporary alternating it with warm sitz bath will be more effective.

Topical treatments

This is a very effective treatment for relieving hemorrhoids pain. Topical treatments are available over the counter and come in form of creams and ointments. Caution though should be taken when choosing one especially if the person is diabetic. Some that are safe for elderly people are the witch hazel cream and any other natural treatment that is safe and effective.

Conclusion

All the above methods have been proven to be the safest and most effective ways of hemorrhoid treatment but keep in mind that if the condition gets worse, it is always advisable to consult a physician.