By Becky John
Dr Igbinovia Imuentinyan, a consultant physician with Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, said lack of physical exercise is one of the causes of pile. Speaking in an interview with the newsmen on Tuesday, Imuentinyan said pile, also known as Haemorrhoid, was common among overweight people who do not exercise regularly. He said individuals with irregular eating habits and consumption of foods deficient in essential fibres such as vegetables and whole grains are at risk of contracting the disease.
“People that are obsessed are predisposed to having pile due to constipation and straining during bowel movement, which further forces the pile to protrude.’’
Imuentinyan described pile as a round like swelling which could be found inside or outside the anal canal, and could either be dry or a bleeding pile.He said external pile with irritation, redness and swellings is associated with dry pile further, stressing that it could cause much pain and become unbearable while passing out stool.
“Dry pile could stick out when passing out stool and return only when pushed back and others may hang out permanently,’’ he said.
He said bleeding pile which is located at the internal lining could bleed excessively causing anaemia and could lead to inadequate blood in the body, itching and body weakness. Imuetinyan stressed that pile was common in child bearing, saying the pressure of the foetus causes the pile vessels to enlarge and these vessels are placed under pressure during child birth causing pile to protrude.
“Haemorrhoid experienced during child birth is temporal and could be treated by sitting in warm salt water for at least 10 minutes in the morning and evening for two to three weeks,” he said.
Imuetinyan stressed the need for regular exercises involving abdominal muscles like sit ups which help to improve circulation in the anal region thereby aiding loose stool. He further advised that eating vegetables, fruits and drinking lot of water results in softer stool and emptying the bowels become easier avoiding strain.
He said in extreme cases pile could be treated surgically to shrink the haemorrhoidal tissues. Imuentinyan further encouraged patients to sit in warm salt water or apply icepacks to reduce swellings.
