Elderly Are More Prone To Hemorrhoids
Statistics have shown that the prevalence of hemorrhoids increases as the person gets older. In the recent count almost 50% of people with hemorrhoids are also over the age of 50. It is usually associated to the changes that our bodies go through as we age.
As we get older, weak anal sphincter muscles, coupled with other aging problems makes it possible to acquire hemorrhoids without them having to exert any strenuous effort.
Although there are many factors that can contribute for the elderly to develop this condition, it is said that there are only two factors which can greatly aggravate hemorrhoids: persistent constipation and uncontrollable soiling.
Chronic constipation is a very common problem for the elderly. For many, this is caused by eating foods that are easy to chew and swallow. The bad news is that these types of food have very little fibers or roughage - as a result, the stool becomes very hard, dry, and difficult to pass.
Because the elderly usually have a difficulty in passing stool, many resort to using laxatives to help with the bowel movement. Prolonged use of laxatives is actually not helpful in the long run. People may become dependent and cannot pass stool without using them.
The opposite of chronic constipation, some elderly have anal sphincter muscles that are so weak that they cannot control bowel movements. As a result of this, they suffer from incontinence and uncontrollable leaking of feces from the anus. In addition to causing chafed skin and ulcers, constant soiling can irritate the hemorrhoidal veins in the rectum and anal canal, and therefore lead to hemorrhoids.
Helping The Elderly To Treat Hemorrhoids
If you're caring for an elderly suffering from hemorrhoids, below are a few tips in caring for them so as not to aggravate their condition.
First thing that you have to do is to tell them to avoid using laxatives. As we have mentioned earlier, laxatives can do more harm than good in the long run.
Instead, encourage them to eat foods which have laxative properties such as prunes, prune juice, figs, and dried fruits. If there is really a need to use a laxative, choose those fiber based stool softener to bulk up the stools and make it easier to pass.
To ensure the easy passage of stool, you can lubricate the anal canal with petroleum jelly before a bowel movement.
It may also be helpful to put them on a warm sitz bath or cold compress. Allow them to sit on warm water to ease the pressure in the lower rectum then alternately apply cold compress on the afflicted area. This can be done a few minutes in a day to provide temporary relief from hemorrhoids.
A modification in their diet is also necessary. Let them eat more fiber-rich foods.
Despite of popular belief, there are plenty of fiber-rich foods that are not crunchy or difficult to chew. For example, oatmeal, barley, peas, steamed vegetables and stewed fruits are rich in soluble fibers.
Along with that, let them drink plenty of liquids as well. It is also helpful to let them drink water with meals, instead of between meals, as this can help soften the fiber and make it easier to pass.
The elderly usually feel helpless when they are stricken with any condition. Hemorrhoids leave a patient with an unpleasant feeling, so it is the responsibility of the younger generation to spare them from the discomforts of this condition by guiding them in tips to prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids.
As we get older, weak anal sphincter muscles, coupled with other aging problems makes it possible to acquire hemorrhoids without them having to exert any strenuous effort.
Although there are many factors that can contribute for the elderly to develop this condition, it is said that there are only two factors which can greatly aggravate hemorrhoids: persistent constipation and uncontrollable soiling.
Chronic constipation is a very common problem for the elderly. For many, this is caused by eating foods that are easy to chew and swallow. The bad news is that these types of food have very little fibers or roughage - as a result, the stool becomes very hard, dry, and difficult to pass.
Because the elderly usually have a difficulty in passing stool, many resort to using laxatives to help with the bowel movement. Prolonged use of laxatives is actually not helpful in the long run. People may become dependent and cannot pass stool without using them.
The opposite of chronic constipation, some elderly have anal sphincter muscles that are so weak that they cannot control bowel movements. As a result of this, they suffer from incontinence and uncontrollable leaking of feces from the anus. In addition to causing chafed skin and ulcers, constant soiling can irritate the hemorrhoidal veins in the rectum and anal canal, and therefore lead to hemorrhoids.
Helping The Elderly To Treat Hemorrhoids
If you're caring for an elderly suffering from hemorrhoids, below are a few tips in caring for them so as not to aggravate their condition.
First thing that you have to do is to tell them to avoid using laxatives. As we have mentioned earlier, laxatives can do more harm than good in the long run.
Instead, encourage them to eat foods which have laxative properties such as prunes, prune juice, figs, and dried fruits. If there is really a need to use a laxative, choose those fiber based stool softener to bulk up the stools and make it easier to pass.
To ensure the easy passage of stool, you can lubricate the anal canal with petroleum jelly before a bowel movement.
It may also be helpful to put them on a warm sitz bath or cold compress. Allow them to sit on warm water to ease the pressure in the lower rectum then alternately apply cold compress on the afflicted area. This can be done a few minutes in a day to provide temporary relief from hemorrhoids.
A modification in their diet is also necessary. Let them eat more fiber-rich foods.
Despite of popular belief, there are plenty of fiber-rich foods that are not crunchy or difficult to chew. For example, oatmeal, barley, peas, steamed vegetables and stewed fruits are rich in soluble fibers.
Along with that, let them drink plenty of liquids as well. It is also helpful to let them drink water with meals, instead of between meals, as this can help soften the fiber and make it easier to pass.
The elderly usually feel helpless when they are stricken with any condition. Hemorrhoids leave a patient with an unpleasant feeling, so it is the responsibility of the younger generation to spare them from the discomforts of this condition by guiding them in tips to prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids.