marcen
01-08-2004, 12:52 AM
My father has had hemmoroids for several years, and has had them banded twice. They have ruled out cancer, etc. as his intestines look fine except for a few polyps. He began bleeding after using the toilet, and eventually landed in hospital with a hemoglobin level of 49 down from 140. He had blood transfusions and was ok for almost two years. Recently he began bleeding again upon using the bathroom (while on the toilet) and after two weeks wound up in hosptial again for blood transfusions with a hemoglobin level of 58. It is now 97, and his doctor is arranging for him to have them banded again. DOes anyone have any advice on surgeries or therapies that might help him? I would like to see the problem solved rather than just band-aid...he is overweight and knows he has to lose some but eats a rather healthy diet.
thanks!
thanks!
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bassie
01-11-2004, 11:57 PM
Hi Julia girl
I am sorry your father has this pain and is sick with the blood loss.
Some of the following is not applicable until after he is up and about again and wants to prevent further problems but take from it what you can.
#Drink lots of fluids, eat lots of fibre. Once the fibre and fluids in the diet are increased the stool (bowel action) should become softer and pass with less effort.
#To make it a little easier to pass a stool apply some vaseline/petroleum jelly with a gloved hand. Disposable gloves can be purchased by the box in a supermarket. With the finger, apply the jelly about 1/2 inch into the rectum. Using this method one can also gently push the haemorrhoid back which may avoid blood clots forming in the vein.
#It's extremely important to clean the anus properly and gently. Purchase only nonperfumed, noncolored (white) toilet paper, dampen it with water before each wipe or apply a blob of moisturiser (also non perfumed) Probably a cheap sorbalene cream is quite adequate.
#Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.
#Sit on a soft cushion for comfort.
#The salt bath is supposed to be great. Sitting with the knees raised in 3 or 4 inches of warm water in a bathtub. The warm water helps to kill the pain while increasing the flow of blood to the area, which can help shrink the swollen veins.
#There are many haemorrhoid creams and suppositories on the market, and while they generally will not make the problem disappear, most are designed as local painkillers and can relieve some of the discomfort.
Many doctors would choose a haemorrhoid cream over a suppository because suppositories tend to float too far up the rectum to do much good.
#A dab of Witch Hazel applied to the rectum with a cotton ball is one of the very best soothing remedies available for external haemorrhoids, especially if there's bleeding. This can be obtained at a health store in both liquid and cream form. (I love Witch Hazel; it serves so many purposes).
If using the Witch Hazel liquid, put in the fridge until very cold and apply the cotton wool soaked with it to the haemorrhoid until the cold is out of it.
#Control salt intake and try to reduce some weight. Excess salt retains fluids in the circulatory system that can cause bulging of the veins in the anus and elsewhere.
#Excessive coffee, strong spices, beer, and cola may increase itching at the anus, so reduce them too.
#homeopathic medicine Collinsonia canadensis may strengthen the structure and function of the veins. (I don't know anything about this but have read this information). Ask at a health store.
Hope this is of some use to you (and your father) and I wish you both well.
I am sorry your father has this pain and is sick with the blood loss.
Some of the following is not applicable until after he is up and about again and wants to prevent further problems but take from it what you can.
#Drink lots of fluids, eat lots of fibre. Once the fibre and fluids in the diet are increased the stool (bowel action) should become softer and pass with less effort.
#To make it a little easier to pass a stool apply some vaseline/petroleum jelly with a gloved hand. Disposable gloves can be purchased by the box in a supermarket. With the finger, apply the jelly about 1/2 inch into the rectum. Using this method one can also gently push the haemorrhoid back which may avoid blood clots forming in the vein.
#It's extremely important to clean the anus properly and gently. Purchase only nonperfumed, noncolored (white) toilet paper, dampen it with water before each wipe or apply a blob of moisturiser (also non perfumed) Probably a cheap sorbalene cream is quite adequate.
#Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.
#Sit on a soft cushion for comfort.
#The salt bath is supposed to be great. Sitting with the knees raised in 3 or 4 inches of warm water in a bathtub. The warm water helps to kill the pain while increasing the flow of blood to the area, which can help shrink the swollen veins.
#There are many haemorrhoid creams and suppositories on the market, and while they generally will not make the problem disappear, most are designed as local painkillers and can relieve some of the discomfort.
Many doctors would choose a haemorrhoid cream over a suppository because suppositories tend to float too far up the rectum to do much good.
#A dab of Witch Hazel applied to the rectum with a cotton ball is one of the very best soothing remedies available for external haemorrhoids, especially if there's bleeding. This can be obtained at a health store in both liquid and cream form. (I love Witch Hazel; it serves so many purposes).
If using the Witch Hazel liquid, put in the fridge until very cold and apply the cotton wool soaked with it to the haemorrhoid until the cold is out of it.
#Control salt intake and try to reduce some weight. Excess salt retains fluids in the circulatory system that can cause bulging of the veins in the anus and elsewhere.
#Excessive coffee, strong spices, beer, and cola may increase itching at the anus, so reduce them too.
#homeopathic medicine Collinsonia canadensis may strengthen the structure and function of the veins. (I don't know anything about this but have read this information). Ask at a health store.
Hope this is of some use to you (and your father) and I wish you both well.