People who are suffering from constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids may have the same causes on their problems. It could be due to poor diet and inadequate intake of fibers which trigger these conditions. Soluble and insoluble fibers are needed by the body to help the digestive and excretory system function properly. Dietary fibers are commonly found in vegetables and fruits. However, due to busy lifestyle and food preferences, the intake of these fibers are not enough.

One of the benefits of including soluble fibers in your diet is the prevention and controlling of hemorrhoid symptoms. The fibers will help soften stool so that they pass easily. It decreases the pressure and straining in the anal area. A person who is constipated may just aggravate the hemorrhoid which may lead to hemorrhoid bleeding and pain. Once fiber is introduced, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome is avoided.

Soluble fibers will also clean the gastro-intestinal tract. Other studies show that soluble fibers help lower LDL blood cholesterol levels. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease and minimize colon cancer risks. Adequate intake of soluble fiber will help prevent the formation of free radicals. It slows down the absorption of fats and carbohydrates into the bloodstream. It improves glycemic control and lowers the requirements for insulin.

There are different soluble fiber supplements available. It can be in the form of soluble fiber powder which is mixed with water or in caplet form like chewable tablets or ordinary pills. Supplements should be introduced if the soluble fiber is not enough in your daily food intake. Your nutritionist can help decide what type of soluble fiber supplements you need. They can also advise on the proper dosage to achieve the maximum benefit of soluble fibers.

The recommended dosage of soluble fiber in powder form is 1/2 – 1 level teaspoon twice a day. You can increase the dosage after two or three weeks to 2-4 tablespoons twice a day. The total daily intake of this supplement should be within 12 to 25 grams per day. For the treatment of diarrhea, lower dosage is recommended while for constipation, dosage can be increased up to 30 grams per day.

If you opt to take the pills, start with at least 2 pills twice daily or up to six times per day. Please take note that manufacturers have a recommended dosage for their products. Avoid taking too much of these supplements as they may cause side effects. For example, a chewable tablet may contain sorbitol which can cause cramps, bloating, and diarrhea. Manufacturers have different dose per pill or in powder form. It is still best to base your intake on the weight rather than on the volume of the soluble fiber supplement.

Based on studies, Americans only eats 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day while the Chinese averages 33 grams of fiber intake per day. The USDA recommends 25 to 35 grams of fiber intake for adults. The soluble fiber accounts for at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the recommended daily intake. So taking supplements will help reach the daily requirements for fiber. Some of the products available in pharmacies and drug stores are Heather’s Tummy Fiber, Equalactin, Fibersure, FiberChoice, Citrucel, Benefiber, Konsyl, Fybogel, Metamucil, and Fibercon.

Doctors may have different approaches in diagnosing a patient’s health condition. Physical examination is a basic procedure which helps determine the cause of many health problems. For more complicated health conditions, a rectal examination is usually included in the process. Rectal examination is commonly administered on patients with colo-rectal diseases.

A rectal examination is performed in the lower rectum. A visual inspection of the perianal skin, digital palpation of the rectum, and assessment of neuromuscular function of the perineum completes the process. Before a doctor performs the procedure, an examination of the area outside of the anus is recommended to determine if there are external hemorrhoids or fissures. The doctor then puts a latex glove on his finger and checks the anus for any abnormalities.

What are the significant benefits of this procedure? Digital or finger rectal examination is used to check for growths in or enlargement of the prostate gland in men. It can detect tumors in the prostrate. Other symptoms like frequent urinating in men may also require a rectal exam. For women, rectal examinations can help determine problems in the reproductive organs like the uterus and ovaries. It is commonly included in the regular check up of women while undergoing pelvic examinations or Pap test. Women suffering from pain in the pelvic area and experiencing vaginal bleeding will be advised to undergo a rectal exam.

Digital rectal examination will also help a medical practitioner to find the cause of rectal bleeding or blood in stool which is commonly associated with constipation and chronic hemorrhoids. Belly or pelvic pain, changes in urination and a change in the bowel movement are some of the symptoms of other diseases which can be detected by the procedure. The method can also be used in collecting stool sample to check for blood in the stool.

A rectal exam will also help the doctor check for any abnormalities of the tissues in the rectal area such as the presence of hemorrhoids and growth of tumors or cancer in the rectum. Since rectal examination has its own limitations, patients with colo-rectal cancer need additional laboratory tests. A doctor may also fail to diagnose patients with internal hemorrhoids at an earlier stage because they may be soft and difficult to feel. A sigmoidoscopy may be needed to determine the status of internal hemorrhoids.

Rectal examination is also performed before a colonoscopy to make sure nothing is blocking the rectum before inserting an instrument. The rectal exam is considered as an initial screening examination thus it is recommended that other exams or lab tests must be done to have a more reliable diagnosis.

Patients required to undergo a digital rectal exam should not worry since the procedure is simple. They may only feel some discomfort in the rectal area during the examination. Although there are some cases where it causes bleeding due to the existing condition in the anal area like patients with inflamed hemorrhoids.

There are various non-surgical treatments for hemorrhoids. Most of the procedures have the same benefits, removing the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Non-operative treatment may include sclerotherapy, heat coagulation, electric current treatment, rubber band ligation and another popular treatment is cryotherapy. However, a patient should be careful in choosing the best treatment for his or her hemorrhoids since the methods available have their own advantages and disadvantages.

What is cryotherapy? It is a medical therapy which uses cold temperatures or simply the removal of heat from a body part. The method has been practiced since 1880’s. The term came from the Greek word “cryo” which means cold and therapy meaning cure. Wikipedia describes cryotherapy as the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. The purpose of cryotherapy is to decrease cellular metabolism and increase cellular survival. It also decreases the inflammation, pain and spasm in the affected area. The procedure also promotes vasoconstriction. When extreme temperature is aplied, it destroy cells by crystallizing the cytosol.

The procedure is also used in surgical treatment of some diseases. Other variations include ice pack therapy and cryogenic chamber therapy. Ice pack therapy is commonly used to alleviate minor muscle injuries. Cryogenic chamber therapy is more popular to athletes because of its rejuvenating effects. It is adopted by many sporting bodies as a training and injury rehabilitation technique for their athletes.

Several diseases and disorders can be treated with cryotherapy. Most skin problems like warts, moles, skin tags and solar keratoses are just some of the conditions which can be treated with cryotherapy. When used to treat hemorrhoids, it obliterates the veins and cause inflammation and scarring. It then removes the swelling of the nerves and the hemorrhoids. Liquid nitrogen is usually used to freeze the tissues at the cellular level. The procedure is used often because of its efficacy and low rates of side effects. But patients with hemorrhoids may experience post treatment pain and may not permanently remove the hemorrhoids. The treatment process may also last longer.

There are cryotherapy products which can be used at the comfort of your home. A cryotherapy device is inserted into the rectal area. Some people may opt to try this product because of its affordability. For less than $50, an individual suffering from hemorrhoids can now use the do-it-yourself treatment pack. The procedure is also simple. The cryotherapy device is placed in the freezer until it becomes ice-cold. Before inserting the device into the rectum, a cream is used to lubricate the protruding part of the device.

The procedure only last for about 6 to 8 minutes or until it assumes normal body temperature. However, patients should be a little bit patient with this kind of treatment since you have to repeat the procedure at least 4 times a day. After using the the cryotherapy device, you have to wash it and put it back to the freezer for the next procedure. The efficacy of this treatment still depends on the severity of the hemorrhoids. For worst conditions, a doctor’s advise is still needed. They can properly diagnose and recommend the appropriate hemorrhoid treatment.