Hey people!

How’s life? Hope you are choosing happiness; as is our anthem on this blog. Don’t forget to live while you are still alive. It’s the only life you get…unless, of course, you believe in reincarnation.

Jedi-Jedi is a Yoruba word that literally means……………….em……………..”chop bombom”………………..Okay, that does it. Yoruba people out there, please help my life.

MOVING ON!

Unfortunately, the meaning ascribed to this same word has gone nuclear. Lol! I hear people make the diagnosis of jedi-jedi when they are describing back pain, stomach pain, poor erection due to diabetes (in men, of course) and a whole range of symptoms. In addition, when the symptoms are not really clear, but involve anything from the upper abdomen downwards, the unwitting scapegoat is jedi-jedi.

In medicine, jedi-jedi simply means haemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels around the rectum and anus. There are four different stages/degrees. Except in the first stage, the rectum and affected vessels can be seen exiting the anus. In some cases, it can be pushed back in while others can’t. If bad enough, surgery is needed.

Today’s focus is on the causes and prevention of hemorrhoids. Causes are:
1. Pregnancy
2. Chronic constipation – passing hard stools and straining to push them out. Sometimes, it’s like giving birth to a baby. 😂
3. Obesity
4. Old age
5. Abnormal pelvic anatomy
6. Basically, anything that increases intra-abdominal pressure, such as chronic cough, tumors, ascites (fluid in the abdominal spaces)
Prevention is simple. Asides pregnancy and some real serious diseases like tumors in the abdomen, the other causative agents can be avoided by simple lifestyle changing measures.

Seeing as constipation is the commonest cause, simply increase your intake of fibre containing foods and whole grains (vegetables, oatmeal, fruits etc) and drink LOADS of water. As a standard, 3L is the daily requirement. However, you can calculate it this way: 1L per 25kg. If you weigh 50kg (unlikely 😋), you only need 2L

So, the rev for today is, “modify your dietary habits”. If you do this, in the long run, you’ll be thankful for this article. Believe me when I say that having hemorrhoids is not a stroll in the park. It is an extremely painful condition. Imagine not being able to sit down properly, especially when you are at work. YIKES! An old colleague of mine had to be moved out of the office to the hospital……on a stretcher…..with his heinie sticking up in the air. 😁😂

As I always say in all our posts, most of what happens to you is based on whatever choices you make. So, choose to eat foods high in fibre and drink loads of water. Make sure you don’t need to moan and groan and bear down before that little turd can make it’s way out of your rectum.

Enjoy your day or whatever is left of it. Bye!

If you have any comments or contributions on today’s topic, be quick to comment or send me a mail at feedback@healthcare-ng.com I will be glad to read from you and answer all your questions.

Author: Dr. Lola Odubitan, MBBS