Piling on the Roids

When a couple suffer from the same malady it makes you concerned that there's something in the food, water or environment that affects or has affected them both. When two (2) different colonoscopies on two (2) different weeks produces the same diagnosis we get concerned. Again the instinct is more reactionary than scientific but we had to investigate. We can't recall whether it was ever known if PearlieMae suffered from the "piles" as its sometimes called by the "ole folks." We only thought we'd do the investigation our selves.

"Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. They are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus. They often result from straining to have a bowel movement. Other factors include pregnancy, aging and chronic constipation or diarrhea. Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women. About half of all people have hemorrhoids by age 50. The most common symptom of hemorrhoids inside the anus is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Symptoms usually go away within a few days." - MedlinePlus (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

What we found out was that the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH) suggestion for treatment was surgical and the alternative to surgery is the nature or homeopathic treatment called horse chestnut but only the prepared variety. It's not a do it yourself treatment, unless you buy the pills and take them. What concerns is is that surgery is an external solution to a largely external problem from the government. We thought made the "alternative" suggestion would be a cream like petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel to be applied directly to the inflammation.

"If you have rectal bleeding you should see a doctor. You need to make sure bleeding is not from a more serious condition such as colorectal or anal cancer. Treatment may include warm baths and a cream or other medicine. If you have large hemorrhoids, you may need surgery and other treatments." - MedlinePlus (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

We were looking for a cream applicable solution to the "roids" problem. When we found the horse chestnut under "Alternative Therapy" that's what we believed it to be. "Over-the-counter creams and suppositories may temporarily relieve the pain and itching of hemorrhoids. These treatments should only be used for a short time because long-term use can damage the skin." Which was the federal recommendation and again confuses us. Surgery can not only damage the skin but on such a sensitive area we would imagine would be really uncomfortable. Banding might not usually be painful. We just can't imagine how putting a rubber band around a painful infection would not be painful.

"If at-home treatments do not relieve symptoms, medical treatments may be needed. Outpatient treatments can be performed in a doctor’s office or a hospital. Outpatient treatments for internal hemorrhoids include the following:
* Rubber band ligation. The doctor places a special rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The band cuts off circulation, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink. This procedure should be performed only by a doctor.
* Sclerotherapy. The doctor injects a chemical solution into the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
* Infrared coagulation. The doctor uses heat to shrink the hemorrhoid tissue.
Large external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids that do not respond to other treatments can be surgically removed." - National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (Medical Treatment)

Warm baths always feel good to us as they're warm baths. Unfortunately you usually have to sit on your roids to treat them in a bathtub. We admit we can't imagine everything that is possible in the world. Its just that if we treat ourselves with a warm bath won't the drying no matter how tend we are inflame the infections? Why not pure aloe vera gel as a cool treatment for an inflamed area? The problem we believe (again without scientific substance) is a cool natural compress that won't spread the infection or cause greater inflammation. That's our speculation based on nothing more than our own experiences.

"Pycnogenol relieves symptoms of acute hemorrhoids - A study published in a recent issue of Phytotherapy Research revealed Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract, from Natural Health Sciences, has important anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties that may be beneficial in patients with hemorrhoids, both for acute and chronic treatment, and in preventing new attacks. The randomized, controlled study conducted by G D'Annunzio University in Italy investigated 84 patients suffering from an acute episode of external hemorrhoids, lasting 24 to 48 hours prior to inclusion in the study. The most frequently observed signs and symptoms, including hemorrhoidal bleedings, severe perineal pain and intravascular intravascular thrombus, were evaluated during the study period of two weeks." - Nutraceuticals World (Mar 1, 2010)

You might remember how we championed the idea of French pine bark extract and how it should be differentiated from the Japanese variety that failed in test showing its effectiveness in other uses and treatment. We love the idea of combining cream and pills that the "study indicates that Pycnogenol, both in oral and in topical form, is effective for controlling this common, disabling health problem. The application of Pycnogenol eases the management of acute hemorrhoidal attacks and help avoid bleedings." We thought so and we told you we thought so. The Japanese might have found that pine bark extract might not be the "be all to end all" for every disease but it sure beats, in our opinion, surgery or banding. We admit that the results were from a study of less than one hundred (100) individuals but come on - how many results do you need when the alternative is surgery or a rubber band around your infections?