Why this colorectal surgeon takes a daily fiber supplement. | Novant Health

What’s the first thing people should know about colon health?

Maintaining a healthy colon starts with your diet. We all need to consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day. There are many ways to get fiber, including certain breakfast cereals, vegetables, and fiber supplements. I personally eat fiber-rich cereal and take fiber supplements.

We also need to drink about 68 ounces of water a day, which equates to about 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses. And it is pure water. Beverages containing caffeine are not counted.

Even people who eat a lot of vegetables can suffer from gastrointestinal disorders related to the colon. Therefore, fiber supplements such as Metamucil and Benefiber are a good idea for all adults. It has no contraindications and helps increase stool volume and retain fluids. I do not have a reason. do not have Take dietary fiber. (A contraindication is a reason why something should not be taken, due to health or other factors.)

What exactly is constipation?

Simply put, constipation is a condition in which you have to strain to defecate. And it’s important to note that the frequency with which people develop BM varies from person to person. The normal for each person may be different. Usually ranges from 1-2 times a day to once every 2-3 days. When you are constipated, your BM becomes hard and lumpy and may require straining.

Is there a risk of constipation?

risk of rest Constipation includes pain, bloating, and discomfort. Constipation can be caused secondary to a diet low in fiber, not drinking enough water, or side effects of medications.

If your constipation persists for a long time, we recommend contacting your doctor. They’ll probably recommend adding more fiber to your diet or taking a supplement. If the problem persists, they may be able to refer you to a specialist.

Constipation may seem trivial, but it can be a fairly complex problem. There are different types of it in different people and it happens for different reasons.

functional constipation This is a problem specific to the colon. It has to do with physiology. This is a condition in which the colon is not functioning optimally and may require medication or surgery. Functional constipation is a problem that is not caused by other factors such as diet or medications.

obstructed defecation This is when you are unable to empty your bowels properly. It is characterized by an inability to completely empty the bowels and a tense and unproductive urge to empty the bowels. It is most common in postpartum women who have had a vaginal birth.

Is it really possible to get constipated while traveling? I know people who have difficulty getting out of town. And I might even include myself here.

It’s definitely a phenomenon. Using a stool softener (such as Colace) is the first step. It is always a good idea to bring stool softener with you when you travel. If others fail, try MiraLAX. This is the same drug we give people preparing for colonoscopies by a different name (polyethylene glycol) and in much higher doses.

I think many people wait to see a doctor about their constipation because they are embarrassed to talk about their BM.

I think that’s probably true. However, if you remain tense for too long, hemorrhoids can develop.

Hemorrhoids are actually a normal part of everyone’s anatomy. Blood vessels that line the inside of the anal canal and help maintain incontinence. In other words, they “lock things up.” Therefore, it is wrong for people to say that they have hemorrhoids.we all have them. This means that the hemorrhoids are inflamed and enlarged. The problem arises when it is enlarged.

Pregnant women often develop enlarged hemorrhoids due to constipation and pressure on the pelvis from a growing fetus that blocks blood flow.

What do you do to treat them?

The first-line treatment is to improve bowel movements through diet and toilet habits. Hemorrhoids basically reflect bowel movements.

The most common over-the-counter medication, Preparation H, is a good short-term option. It’s a steroid that contains a numbing agent. However, using it for more than a week at a time can cause skin thinning or skin damage.

What should I do if it doesn’t go away after a week? Do I need to see a doctor? If so, what does that appointment mean?

At that point, we recommend consulting a specialist, either a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon. That appointment will likely start with a rectal exam, but people often delay their appointment because they want to avoid that. However, not all hemorrhoids require surgery. Start by improving your eating and toileting habits.

If these don’t work, discuss next steps.

You mentioned toilet habits. I don’t think you know the difference between good and bad toilet habits.

Do not stand on the toilet for more than 5 minutes. If you strain more than that, you’re more likely to get hemorrhoids.

There is no TV in the bathroom at home. Please do not bring mobile phones, magazines, newspapers, etc. into the restroom. It’s easy to lose track of time.

My family recently moved to Wilmington and we had a built-in magazine rack in one of our bathrooms. One of the first things I did was delete it.

Now let’s talk about the next step you alluded to.

First, there are two types of hemorrhoids: internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. If the outside part bothers you, it can be surgically removed.

If it is inside the body, less invasive procedures are possible. Office-based treatments such as infrared photocoagulation (a procedure in which heat generated by infrared radiation creates scar tissue and cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid), sclerotherapy (minimally invasive injections), and the most common, rubber There are treatments. Band ligation. The doctor then wraps a rubber band around the base of the problem hemorrhoid, which is painless and will fall off after about five days. No anesthesia is required and you can return to work immediately after surgery.