I hope y’all don’t mind sharing any anecdotal experiences you may have with regards to this.
It’s not for me (really!), it’s for my husband, who has no access to the 'net except at the library. Of course he is much too embarassed to look this kind of thing up at the library, or, you know, ask a doctor or anything.
He reports pain when he’s cold (ie it’s gotten progressively worse since he moved from Africa, to England, and now to Canada), and periodic bloody stools. Poor guy. Sounds brutal. I’m trying to find him some super-techno-fibre warm undies for Christmas, which hopefully will help.
It runs in his family. His brother had surgery for it but that didn’t help at all, apparently.
I see from medical sites that he should eat a high-fibre diet and drink plenty of fluids. He eats a lot of bananas and drinks a lot of herbal tea, but that may not be high-fibre enough? He also reports much improvement since he went vegetarian, but he still suffers.
Is there anything he can do about this, or is he destined to suffer forever?
Bran muffin sopositories, all joking aside, I would really go to a doctor about this, My uncle had it and it turned out he had a colin pulip that cause it and a small cancer spot on his ummm… sphincter… (says what?).
See a doctor. Not going because “he knows” it’s the same thing his brother has and nothing can be done has is silly and dangerous. Incorrect assumptions kill people all the time plus medicine is advancing daily. Pain and bloody stools need the attention of specialist.
Red blood is a sign of something at the end of the pipeline. Spending less time on the toilet, i.e. don’t read or play the guitar, is supposed to help. But it pays to see a doc. I’ve got a colonoscopy coming up for a similar sort of thing, but with differences in symptoms. Make an appointment and put that world-class Canadian health system to good use.
Too many bananas may cause constipation, aggravating his problem.
My son’s pedi told me this about 2 weeks ago as we discussed my son’s problem which sounds similar to your husbands. We’re doing a trial of laxative called Miralax which actually in miraculous as it has no taste or texture, and dissolves in any liquid so I can sneak it into my son’s food without his knowing (he’s 6).
Of course, a trip to the Doc is probably in order for your husband. Life’s too short to be sidetracted with pooping problems every day.
I would have to go with the masses here…As embarrased as he may be, there are serious consequences to his pride. It may be nothing or it could be something, and like a fellow doper said above, medicine is advancing all the time if in fact is is something. The symptoms he is having, to me, should not be taken lightly. If he goes to the doctor he will most likely get relief and answers, and possibly sleep better at night.
Good luck, hope your hubbie takes our advice and sees someone who knows what they are talking about
-Lillyflower
I just got through with surgery to remove my hemorrhoids, and know far too much about them.
Like the others have said, he should see a doc. He may want to first bend over in front of a mirror and spread his cheeks to check, to put it bluntly, if something purple is coming out of his pooper. External hemorrhoids have a high risk of thrombosis - developing huge, incredibly painful blood clots.
Lots of fiber and water will help prevent roids, but will not cure them (incidentally, bran is the best source of insoluble fiber, and I’ve found that a couple bowls of Raisin Bran cereal is a great way to get it).
Good advice ! thanks, guys. I will get him to a doctor just as soon as the Pit-worthy administration of a certain country’s immigration department get their acts together.
Interesting point about the bananas ! It will break his heart, I am sure. Maybe if he mixes some Metamucil into his smoothies …