Temporary Relief

For many people, hemorrhoids are mild and temporary conditions that heal spontaneously or by the same measures recommended for prevention. There is no medicine that will cure hemorrhoids, but local treatments such as warm sitz baths, using a bidet, extendable showerhead, cold compress, or topical analgesic (such as Nupercainal), can provide temporary relief. Consistent use of medicated creams (such as Anusol and Preparation H) during the early stages of a hemorrhoid flare-up will also provide relief and may stave off further development and irritation. Keep the area clean and dry, with some lubrication provided by hemorrhoidal creams. Suppositories can also relieve the symptoms.

Delaing with strong feelings

All new moms know that it is super hard for us some times. There are days when we are just in a bad mood and are stressed out from all the work to be done.

Here are some tips for dealing with strong feelings or for when you are stressed out (by Vincent Iannelli, M.D.):

Talk about these feelings with someone you trust. The worst thing you can do is keep these feelings to yourself.
Talk to your spouse or a family member.
Talk to a friend, a doctor or a member of the clergy.
Try to exercise. Put your baby in a stroller or in your arms, and take a walk. Exercise at home while your baby sleeps. Being active can make you feel better. Exercise can give you more energy to take care of yourself and your baby.
Take time to relax.
a moment for yourself while your baby naps. Do something that calms you down. Take a break from your chores. Take a moment to talk to a friend, read, listen to music, just be still or enjoy a hobby.
Don't take your stress out on your baby by yelling at her or avoiding her. Get someone to help you for a while so that you can calm down or get rest. If you want to know more about how to cope with stress or groups that help parents cope with stress, ask your doctor or clinic.

These tips were adapted from the U.S. Department of Education.

Pregnancy & post partum hygiene

When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes many physical and body chemistry changes. It becomes more difficult to remain fresh and odor free in the genital area. It is also more important to avoid vaginal and bladder infections that could require a pregnant woman to take medications that could endanger her baby. The bidet helps to cleanse harmful bacteria from the area and keeps a woman fresh. After giving birth, many women return home with a surgical incision, (after an episiotomy), in her vaginal area that requires the utmost hygiene and care to avoid infection. The bidet is ideal for this kind of genital TLC and is very soothing to the area as well during the healing process.And as the infant grows to and through the toddler stages, graduating from being diapered to being placed on the toilet. He or she can begin the potty-training period, when and where the value and benefits of the bidet can be included in the training system. With the addition of a potty-ring or potty-seat placed on the toilet, the toilet can be instantly converted into Potty & Hygiene training! And it feels good too!

hemmorrrhois

Hemorrhoids involve the blood vessels that line the anus. Pressure on the walls of the rectum weakens the muscles that support the hemorrhoidal vessels. They then become enlarged and lose their support and result in a sac-like protrusion inside the rectal canal (called internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (called external hemorrhoids).
If the internal hemorrhoid pushes out of the anal opening, this hemorrhoid is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. Sometimes, blood can pool in an external hemorrhoid, forming a clot (thrombus). This hemorrhoid is called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.
Hemorrhoids can occur at any time, but become more common with advancing age. Younger people, pregnant women and women who have had children are most apt to develop hemorrhoidal problems. The condition occurs more frequently in some families.

What causes hemorrhoids?

A common cause of hemorrhoids is simply the standing position, in which all the blood above the rectum exerts pressure on the rectal and anal areas. Other conditions which contribute to hemorrhoids are: poor bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy, obesity, and especially frequent straining when having a bowel movement. However, some patients will have none of these conditions and still develop hemorrhoids. Humans are prone to hemorrhoids because erect posture puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the anal region. Heredity has also been considered a factor, since hemorrhoids tend to run in families. Chronic constipation is considered a major cause of hemorrhoids. This is because constipated individuals tend to consistently strain to evacuate their bowels, increasing pressure in the rectum. Disturbance from frequent bowel movements associated with diarrhea can also be a cause. Additionally, frequent use of laxative may result in diarrhea, and increase your likelihood of getting hemorrhoids. Increased abdominal pressure can often encourage hemorrhoids. People who exert themselves strenuously at work or who stand for long periods of time are most often afflicted. Pregnancy is a common cause of hemorrhoids among young women. They are most common in the final trimester because there is increased pressure from the enlarged uterus. Constipation, also common during pregnancy, adds to the problem. Other factors that encourage hemorrhoids include lack of physical activity and a low daily intake of fluids.

How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?

I wrote a while back about hemorrhoids because it is something that some women experience after giving birth. I am now giving more information on this subject. The following info will tell us how hemorrhoids are diagnosed.
A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs. Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.
The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids and will also perform a digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger to feel for abnormalities.
Closer evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires an exam with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube useful for viewing internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for more completely examining the entire rectum.
To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) with sigmoidoscopy or the entire colon with colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic procedures that also involve the use of lighted, flexible tubes inserted through the rectum.

causes of hemorrhoids

A common cause of hemorrhoids is simply the standing position, in which all the blood above the rectum exerts pressure on the rectal and anal areas. Other conditions which contribute to hemorrhoids are: poor bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy, obesity, and especially frequent straining when having a bowel movement. However, some patients will have none of these conditions and still develop hemorrhoids. Humans are prone to hemorrhoids because erect posture puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the anal region. Heredity has also been considered a factor, since hemorrhoids tend to run in families. Chronic constipation is considered a major cause of hemorrhoids.

This is because constipated individuals tend to consistently strain to evacuate their bowels, increasing pressure in the rectum. Disturbance from frequent bowel movements associated with diarrhea can also be a cause. Additionally, frequent use of laxative may result in diarrhea, and increase your likelihood of getting hemorrhoids. Increased abdominal pressure can often encourage hemorrhoids.

People who exert themselves strenuously at work or who stand for long periods of time are most often afflicted. Pregnancy is a common cause of hemorrhoids among young women. They are most common in the final trimester because there is increased pressure from the enlarged uterus. Constipation, also common during pregnancy, adds to the problem. Other factors that encourage hemorrhoids include lack of physical activity and a low daily intake of fluids.

Internal hemorrhoids occur higher up in the anal canal, out of sight. Bleeding is the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids, and often the only one in mild cases.

External hemorrhoids are visible-occurring out side the anus. They are basically skin-
covered veins that have ballooned and appear blue. Usually they appear without any symptoms. When inflamed, however, they become red and tender.

Sometimes, internal hemorrhoids will come through the anal opening when straining to move your bowels. This is called a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid; it is often difficult to ease back into the rectum, and is usually quite painful.

When a blood clot forms inside an external hemorrhoid, it often causes Severe pain. This thrombosed external hemorrhoid can be felt as a firm, tender mass in the anal area, about the size of a pea. Anal fissure. A thin slit-like tear in the anal tissue, an anal fissure is likely to cause itching, pain, and bleeding during a bowel movement.

Pregnancy & post partum hygiene

When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes many physical and body chemistry changes. It becomes more difficult to remain fresh and odor free in the genital area. It is also more important to avoid vaginal and bladder infections that could require a pregnant woman to take medications that could endanger her baby. The bidet helps to cleanse harmful bacteria from the area and keeps a woman fresh. After giving birth, many women return home with a surgical incision, (after an episiotomy), in her vaginal area that requires the utmost hygiene and care to avoid infection. The bidet is ideal for this kind of genital TLC and is very soothing to the area as well during the healing process.And as the infant grows to and through the toddler stages, graduating from being diapered to being placed on the toilet. He or she can begin the potty-training period, when and where the value and benefits of the bidet can be included in the training system. With the addition of a potty-ring or potty-seat placed on the toilet, the toilet can be instantly converted into Potty & Hygiene training! And it feels good too!

what are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are veins under the rectum or around the anus that are dilated or swollen. The blood coagulation and blood thrombosis are caused by repeated pressure in the rectal area or anal veins. This pressure usually results repeated straining to pass bowel movements. Rarely they result from benign or malignant tumors of the abdomen or rectum. It's thought that 75% of Singaporeans will have them at some time in their lives. The risk for getting hemorrhoids increases with: Constipation, low dietary fiber intake, pregnancy and delivery, obesity, diarrhea, overexertion and certain occupations that require continual standing or sitting. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include: Rectal bleeding, rectal tenderness and/or itching, uncomfortable, painful bowel movements, especially with straining, a lump that can be felt in the anus, a mucous discharge after a bowel movement.

Foods that cause or worsen hemmorrhoids

Insufficient hydration (caused by not drinking enough water, or by drinking too much diuretic liquid such as coffee or cola) can cause a hard stool, which can lead to hemorrhoidal irritation. An excess of lactic acid in the stool, a product of excessive consumption of milk products such as cheese, can cause irritation and a reduction of consumption can bring relief. Vitamin E deficiency is also a common cause. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause diarrhea which in turn can cause hemorrhoidal irritation.

these are sOme great ways tO prevent hemOrrhOids

Prevention of hemorrhoids includes drinking more fluids, eating more dietary fiber, exercising, practicing better posture, and reducing bowel movement strain and time. Hemorrhoid sufferers should avoid using laxatives and should strictly limit time straining during bowel movement. Wearing tight clothing and underwear will also contribute to irritation and poor muscle tone in the region and promote hemorrhoid development. Some sufferers report a more comfortable experience without underwear or wearing only very lightweight panties, etc.
Straining can be lessened by defecating in a standing position, knees slightly bent. This position seems to use the muscles of the abdomen to expel feces preventing a strain on the anus. Fluids emitted by the intestinal tract may contain irritants that may increase the fissures associated with hemorrhoids. Washing the anus with cool water and soap may reduce the swelling and increase blood supply for quicker healing and may remove irritating fluid.

importance of vitamins

In their book, A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health (Now available - Avery, Putnam, Penguin), Dr. Dean Raffelock and Dr. Robert Rountree say that the underlying cause of many postpartum ailments (especially in those women who did not suffer from those ailments before pregnancy) are deficiencies in important nutrients. If a woman’s body is deficient in key vitamins, minerals, fatty acids or amino acids, the fundamental energy producing metabolic processes in a woman’s body that help maintain emotional and physical health will not function properly.
Now, blood test are available that tell mothers exactly what nutrients her body is defficient in, so that's good news!

scary news

Ok, this is plain scary> Read this:
'These data demonstrate the importance of the changing breast environment in the evolution of breast cancer. Specifically, changes in the extracellular matrix that occur during post-pregnancy involution may actually promote metastasis of breast cancer following pregnancy. The authors further offer that these data may explain why women with breast cancer diagnosed up to 5 years after pregnancy are at greater risk of developing metastases. '
This is an abstract of an article titled "Post Pregnancy Events Promotes Breast Tumor Metastasis"

Fats and pOst partum ailments

In an article titled Eating the Right Fats and Oils Can Help You and Your Baby’s Health by Dean Raffelock, D.C., Robert Rountree, M.D., and Virginia Hopkins with Melissa Block, I learned that many pOst partum ailments, such as asthma, allergies, eczema, mood problems, depression, and autoimmune disease can be due to nutritiOnal imbalance>

That's why it's relly impOrtant for us new mOms tO keep ur diet nutritional and nOt limit Ourselves tO all fats, bacuse Research studies have shown that skin problems, asthma, autoimmune disease, unexplained rages, and depression improve when fatty acid balance is restored. Children with learning disability, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and autism often improve when given fats that promote this balance.

reduce symptoms

Measures to reduce symptoms of hemmorhoids include tub baths several times a day in plain, warm water for about 10 minutes and application of a hemorroidal cream or suppository to the affected area for a limited time.

Preventing the recurrence of hemorrhoids will require relieving the pressure and straining of constipation. Doctors will often recommend increasing fiber and fluids in the diet. Eating the right amount of fiber and drinking six to eight glasses of fluid (not alcohol) result in softer, bulkier stools. A softer stool makes emptying the bowels easier and lessens the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining. Eliminating straining also helps prevent the hemorrhoids from protruding.