If one holds a contest on which
ailment has most myths associated with it, haemorrhoids (or piles) might just be the winner. Old wives tales about the disease abound as do quacks who claim to treat it in a jiffy
Irritated snappy managers suffer from Piles *Fact: It is famously believed that piles pain is severe and it makes a person very snappy and irritated. Therefore, such people are supposed to suffer from piles. Medically it is true that piles are very painful and is also caused by sedentary life along with stressful work. Irritability could be the nature of the person and not the Piles condition. Piles are hereditary and if your father or mother has it, you will get it.
nFact: There is no conclusive evidence, but some families do seem to have more trouble with Piles than others do. A lack of fibre and fluids in the diet causes constipation, which is the main cause of Piles. As all family members have similar dietary habits, they can be prone to Piles.
If you are constipated you will develop Piles. *Fact: True. There are primary piles and there are secondary piles. The majority of what we call primary piles, are due to constipation. They are due to straining. They are due to poor diet, which doesn't contain a lot of fibre.
Piles only affect pregnant women. *Fact: Pregnant women are particularly prone to this condition due to hormonal and circulatory changes, which can often cause constipation. The pressure of the womb and the growing baby on the pelvic blood vessels may also cause Piles.
However, the occurrence of Piles is not restricted to pregnant women; it can affect anybody.
Sedentary life style habits can cause Piles. *Fact: Yes. For example reading paper or a book in the toilet can lead to pressure in the rectum, which in turn can cause Piles. Similarly lack of exercise, long hours of sitting, standing and irregular diet habits also cause it.
Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
nFact: This is false. The frequency of bowel movements among normal, healthy people varies from three a day to three a week, and perfectly healthy people may fall outside both ends of this range. In infants, seven a day and one in seven days is also normal.
Habitual use of enemas to treat constipation is harmless. *Fact: This is false. When you are healthy it is advisable to do enemas once in a while for a cleansing effect. If done too frequently, over time, enemas can impair the natural muscle action of the intestines, leaving them unable to function normally. An ongoing need for enemas is not normal; you should see a doctor if you find yourself relying on them or any other medication to have a bowel movement.
Home remedies completely cure Piles.
nFact: They help a great extent but if the complaint persists, it is best to consult a physician. Radish juice, cumin seeds roasted and powdered in a glass of water and figs soaked overnight and taken on an empty stomach help.
Alternative medicine helps cure Piles. nFact: It is true. In the early stages, Homeopathy helps to a large extent. Medicines like Aloe, Nux vomica, Acid Nitric, Aesculus gives a lot of relief in pain and bleeding during piles.
You can't get Piles by sitting on a cold or damp surface, or hot radiators.
nFact: This is not thought to cause Piles but it may make matters worse for those already suffering.
Sitting down all day at work or at home doesn't cause Piles.
nFact: This is yet another 'old wives tale'. It might be uncomfortable to sit down if you have Piles but it certainly doesn't cause them.
Sitting in a warm water bath helps in relieving Piles
nFact: It helps by relaxing the muscles around. This is usually for people who have strangulating piles, which have come down. The anal canal is closed and they can't go back. They become intensely painful and swollen and engorged. The bath provides relief because it allows the muscles to relax so the haemorrhoid starts to go back.
Piles can lead to cancer of rectum.
nFact: haemorrhoids are enlarged and swollen rectal veins, whereas cells that divide out of control cause cancer. haemorrhoids do not lead to cancer of the colon or rectum. In some rare cases, however, people with colorectal cancer are more susceptible to haemorrhoids. This is because of extra pressure on the rectal veins imposed by the growing tumour.
Black pepper and spicy food causes haemorrhoids.
nFact: When consumed in moderate amounts, black pepper does not cause haemorrhoids. In some people, however, spicy foods can create rectal itchiness and irritation again if it is taken in large quantities.
Only older people get haemorrhoids.
nFact: In haemorrhoids, weak and distended rectal veins become inflamed and swollen. In most people, vein walls become weaker as they grow older, thus making them more susceptible to haemorrhoids.
The author is a senior Physician, Soukya and can be contacted at 22214625/ 22218252 or drsudha@soukya.com