Abuja – Dr Igbinovia Imuentinyan, a consultant physician with Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, on Wednesday, said drinking a lot of water would reduce the risk of developing pile.
Imuentinyan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that pile, also known as Haemorrhoid, was often associated with constipation resulting from the lack of fibre in the diet.
He described pile as a round-like swelling which could be found inside or outside the anal canal, saying that it could be either dry or a bleeding pile.
The expert said dry pile was associated with swelling, irritation and redness of the anus area.
He added that it could cause much pain and become unbearable while passing out stool.
“Fat people are predisposed to having pile due to constipation and straining during bowel movement which causes pile to protrude.
“Dry pile can stick out when passing out stool and return only when pushed back and others may hang out permanently,’’ he said.
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Imuentinyan said pile was more prevalent in pregnant women, adding that “the of the foetus causes the pile vessels to enlarge and is placed under pressure during child birth, causing pile to protrude.
“Pile experienced during child birth are temporal and can be treated by sitting in warm salted water for at least 10 minutes in the morning and evening for two to three weeks.’’
The physician said pile prevention should start from change in lifestyle, adding that cutting down on alcohol intake and caffeine was very essential.
He recommended weight loss for obese people and stressed the need for regular exercises that involved abdominal muscles like sit ups.
He said this would improve the circulation of blood in the anal region, thereby aiding digestion which helps in prevention of pile.
Imuentinyan said the consumption of more vegetables, fruits and drinking lot of water would soften stool and make the emptying of bowels easier. (NAN)