The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health |
- Difference between anal fissures and haemorrhoids
- Three simple steps to better digestive health
- What to do when your child is too sick to eat
| Difference between anal fissures and haemorrhoids Posted: 12 Dec 2012 07:28 AM PST Learn the difference between anal fissures and haemorrhoids. I WAS in England recently and I had constipation because of the cold weather. This caused me to strain in the toilet. Suddenly, and very alarmingly, I felt something pop out. I believe it was a pile. I came home and went to a surgeon who told me I not only had piles, but also anal fissures. What is the difference? Piles are also called haemorrhoids. They are masses or pieces of tissue inside your anal canal that contain blood vessels. The surrounding tissue is made up of supportive tissue, muscles and fibres. If you are unsure about what constitutes your anal canal, it starts from the anus, which is the hole or opening outside that is present between your buttocks, and extends up to four centimetres all the way to the rectum. Haemorrhoids are present in every single person. It's only when they are enlarged that they are considered abnormal. An anal fissure is, as its name suggests, a tear occurring in your anus that can extend up to your anal canal. They are very common, and can happen at all ages, including in infants. My goodness, this sounds painful. How will I know if I have anal fissures? People with anal fissures experience pain, which becomes worse with bowel movement. You don't experience pain all the time, but certainly, when you sit on the toilet to pass motion, there will be pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain, especially when your stools are hard. This pain may be brief, or it can last for a long time after your bowel movement. Some people who experience severe pain are almost afraid to go to the toilet. Sometimes, this pain can also affect your urination by causing frequent urination, pain during urination, or even the inability to urinate. Anal fissures can also cause bleeding in small amounts and anal itching. If infected, there can be a smelly discharge of pus. Anal fissures can be divided into acute fissures and chronic fissures. An acute fissure will look like a longitudinal tear to the surgeon. A chronic fissure is usually associated with skin tags at the edge of your anus, which are called sentinel piles, and thickened edges at the fissure. How is this different from piles? Haemorrhoids are divided into internal and external haemorrhoids. Internal haemorrhoids are usually painless because the nerve fibres that supply them belong to the nerve supply of the intestine, which cannot be felt. An enlarged internal haemorrhoid may pull down the surrounding tissue and protrude from the anus. Haemorrhoids can bleed, especially when hard stools injure the lining of the anal canal. Sometimes, they can also prolapse, meaning they protrude from your anus. There is a grading system for haemorrhoids:
External haemorrhoids are different though. They can be felt as bulges at your anus. They are easily prey to blood clots, which can make them very painful. Sometimes, they may heal and leave a tag of skin protruding from the anus. What causes anal fissures? They are caused by any sort of injury to the anus or anal canal. This usually comes from constipation, which gives rise to hard stools. Many people can remember the exact bowel movement that triggered the pain. However, diarrhoea can also give rise to anal fissures, especially after repeated episodes. Sometimes, the injury comes from the insertion of an instrument, like a thermometer, proctoscope, colonoscope or ultrasound probe, to examine the prostate. Needless to say, if you have anal sex, this can also be a cause. Sometimes, a tear can also come after childbirth. Most anal fissures that result from injury occur in the midline, either in the front or the back (facing the spine). Fissures that occur in any other position should be investigated for an underlying sinister cause like infections, tuberculosis, or even, anal cancer. How do I get my anal fissures treated? The majority of acute anal fissures heal. But chronic fissures don't heal that easily. Treatment includes adding 'bulk' and 'fibre' to the stools. You should increase your liquid intake, avoid 'sharp' foods like popcorn, nuts etc, or take stool softeners. You can take sitz baths after defecation as they are very relaxing and cleansing. You may be given anaesthetic creams or steroids by the doctor to apply before defecation. If all else fails, you can opt for a simple surgery. Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health advice, computers and entertainment. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information. |
| Three simple steps to better digestive health Posted: 12 Dec 2012 07:27 AM PST The pledge, Guard Your Gut, emphasises three simple steps to better digestive health. MALAYSIANS nowadays are becoming increasingly aware of what they put into their mouths. Whether it be food or drink, information on the nutrients and substances contained within edible items are more easily available now than they were decades ago. However, while we may know what we are eating, are we equally aware of the digestive process that extracts and absorbs all the nutrients we require from what we consume? Earlier in the year, Malaysia commemorated World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) at the Curve shopping mall in Selangor. WDHD is an initiative of the Digestive Health Advisory Board (DHAB), which was established to address the increasing prevalence of digestive problems in the country. DHAB is supported by the Vitagen Healthy Digestion Programme (VHDP), which aims to raise awareness of digestive health through various events. Vitagen deputy general manager Michael Ong observes that the prevalence of digestive diseases are on the rise. "Many people are unaware of the seriousness of digestive problems. It is usually seen as less life-threatening when compared to other diseases like heart disease. "However, a healthy digestive system is particularly important to one's health. "Therefore, we hope that by organising these roadshows and activities, the public will be more aware of the seriousness of digestive diseases, and be empowered to take better care of their digestive health," he says. This year's WDHD features a nationwide pledge, aptly called "Guard Your Gut", which urges Malaysians to take care of their digestive health. The pledge emphasises three simple steps to better digestive health: practising healthy dietary and eating habits, leading a healthy lifestyle, and going for regular health screenings. The purpose of the pledge is to highlight the importance of healthy digestive habits and to encourage Malaysians to take up the challenge to lead a healthier lifestyle. After taking the pledge, they can share it with their friends via Facebook and Twitter, and be eligible to participate in the I Love Vitagen Pix & Video contest to win attractive prizes. More than 3,700 people have taken the pledge since its launch in May. As part of the planned activities for WDHD, KSL City Mall, Johor Baru, hosted the third roadshow on Nov 30-Dec 4, while Terminal 1, Seremban, hosted the final roadshow of the year on Dec 7-9. The roadshows featured various educational and fun games, as well as activities. The highlight of these activities was the Healthy Digestive Journey, an educational walk-through structure that contains information about digestive system disorders, and the various warning signs to look out for. The display also incorporates an educational and informative game, which allowed both adults and children to test their knowledge on digestive health. Members of the public were also able to measure their height, weight, body mass index and body fat percentage, as well as obtain healthy eating advice by nutritionists at the health screening area provided. In addition, gastroenterology nurses were on hand to provide advice on digestive health problems. Free copies of digestive health publications and InfoGuides (published by DHAB this year) were distributed at the roadshows. For more information on how you can make the pledge to "Guard Your Gut", and to download e-versions of the InfoGuides, visit www.vitagen.com.my/digestivehealth or contact the secretariat (Lim Sue Hui/Chan Li Chuin) at 03-5632 3301/5637 3526 or 016-468 6324/605 6424. |
| What to do when your child is too sick to eat Posted: 12 Dec 2012 07:26 AM PST What happens when your child's illness makes feeding a near-impossible task? Paediatricians offer some tips. WHEN your child is sick, he is usually less enthusiastic about eating. You know it is important your child continues to eat, so you offer small meals, cajole and persuade him to take a bite, and even tempt him with his favourite foods. But what happens when your child simply will not eat, despite your best efforts? Paediatricians warn that there is a possibility that the child's persistent refusal to eat is a sign of a more serious problem, one that requires intervention and careful management. Children with transient illnesses such as fever or cold generally show poor appetite that will improve as the child gets better. However, there are certain medical conditions that, if left unchecked without proper medical treatment, will severely affect the child's appetite. Hand, foot and mouth disease, for instance, can cause blisters to form on the child's tongue and in his mouth. These blisters can pop and form painful ulcers, making eating an excruciating experience for the child. Neurodevelopmental disorders and heart diseases are other examples of medical conditions that can give rise to persistent feeding difficulties. Consultant paediatrician Dr Woon Teck Kim explains that feeding difficulties due to an organic disease can cause inadequate food intake, failure to gain weight or even weight loss. The child's recovery will be affected, and in severe cases, his health may further deteriorate. Treating a child with this feeding difficulty requires the paediatrician to first identify the medical condition that is the cause of the problem. Usually, the child will recover his appetite once the medical condition is cured. In situations where longer periods of treatment are needed, the paediatrician may prescribe alternative feeding methods, such as via a syringe. A balanced and complete liquid nutritional supplement may also be useful. Tears for fears Sometimes, the child becomes terrified of eating after recovering from a medical condition. They show signs of fear, such as crying or trembling, at the sight of certain foods or even eating utensils. Dr Chai Pei Fan, a consultant paediatric gastroenterologist, explains that there are many possible triggers that can cause a child to link food intake to a bad experience. "For example, a child may be unwell due to common illnesses, such as fever or some respiratory illnesses. He has reduced appetite as a result. "Some anxious parents may attempt to force-feed the child into eating more, causing the child to feel stressed and anxious. The child, as a result, may develop a fear of feeding," he says. Fear of feeding can also develop in children with a medical condition that requires them to be tube fed. Transitioning to solid food can be a stressful and even traumatic experience for them. For instance, many usually choke while trying to chew, and a particularly traumatic choking experience can cause a fear of feeding to develop. Many parents have a hard time understanding the child's fears. Driven by desperation, they may force the child to eat, a move that only worsens the condition. Treatment for fear of feeding varies depending on the complexity of the problem, but it often involves helping the parents adopt the right approach in encouraging the child to eat while desensitising the child's fears. Paediatricians can help In the past, diagnosing these feeding difficulties was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, the situation is changing. According to consultant paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist Professor Lee Way Seah, recent medical developments like the Identification and Management of Feeding Difficulties (IMFeDTM) toolkit allow paediatricians to conduct thorough investigations on the child's medical background and feeding history. This makes the diagnosis process more accurate and less time-consuming. Therefore, parents should not hesitate to consult a paediatrician if they have persistent problems in feeding their children. The toolkit is created to provide a systematic diagnostic framework for paediatricians to identify and manage children with feeding difficulties. It is the first of its kind, and developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts under an educational grant from Abbott Nutrition. This article is contributed by the IMFeDTM programme, spearheaded by the Malaysian Paediatric Association in collaboration with Abbott Nutrition Malaysia. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan