Dr. Starpoli's Blog

Anorectal discomfort and itching is unpleasant, annoying and can even be embarrassing at times. It can cause you to feel miserable and lead to awkward moments. Everyone has an occasional itch here and there, but if you’re experiencing persistent itching and consistent anorectal discomfort, you don’t have to suffer!

Anthony A. Starpoli, MD | www.starpoli.com

diarrhea, rectal bleeding, bowel difficulties, hemorrhoids

There are no easy solutions to the problem of hemorrhoids. Creams and other home remedies can provide you with temporary relief from your symptoms, but do not really treat the problem. Additionally, the procedures traditionally used to treat the condition call for substantial preparation that may include fasting and colon cleansing along with sedation. Aside from the preparation, the traditional treatment options are painful, invasive and require long periods for recovery. Two of the most widely used treatments are surgery (hemorrhoidectomy) and ligation (traditional banding).  The CRH Hemorrhoid Banding technique serves as a less painful alternative to those methods.

Anthony A. Starpoli, MD | www.starpoli.com

bowel difficulties, hemorrhoids

Constipation is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the USA.  

Not only does this result in a least 2.5 million doctor visits,but hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on laxatives each year! 

So what is constipation?  A bowel habit can be about consistency, frequency and about quality of an evacuation. Stools should not be too hard or soft and having a movement daily or every other day would be considered normal.  One should not have to have more than 1-2 movement in a day.

But what causes it? Factors include dehydration, a change in diet and inactivity or certain medications that we may be taking.  Some of these medications include narcotic pains pill and drugs used for high blood pressure and other cardiac conditions.

So, you have now been constipated for weeks.  Certainly look at your fluid and fiber intake, but if you think that you have had a real change in your bowel habits, talk to your doctor.

Personal and family history are important to know.  Having a first degree relative with colorectal cancer is very relevant and is a strong consideration when evaluating a patient with a change in bowel habits.  A simple stool test looking for hidden or occult blood may be appropriate, and, if positive, may warrant a camera inspection of the colon known as colonoscopy.  There are situations where colonoscopy should be performed more expeditiously.  Certainly, if there is rectal bleeding, some evaluation should take place.  Assuming that rectal bleeding is attributable to hemorrhoids is very risky as cancers can be present in this manner.

If you haven’t experienced constipation in a while or even ever, the following are some simple steps on prevention. Adequate fluid intake with 6-8 glasses of water daily and consuming up to 40 grams of soluble fiber is a good start. What about laxatives?  They should be used sparing and stimulants of the gastrointestinal tract should be avoided.There are a variety of agents and should be discussed with your health care professional.

One last point, even if you have no colon complaints, colonoscopy for colon cancer prevention should be offered to all average risk patients at age 50 and earlier if there is a family history of colon cancer or polyps. African Americans undergo screening at age 45.

For more information, please visit the American Cancer Society at: 

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/moreinformation/colonandrectumcancerearlydetection/colorectal-cancer-early-detection-acs-recommendations

Topics: colon cancer

Anthony A. Starpoli, MD | www.starpoli.com

screening, bowel difficulties, hemorrhoids, colonoscopy

USA Today reports that while hemorrhoids aren't a popular topic of conversation, they are a popular search topic online. Read on:

Anthony A. Starpoli, MD | www.starpoli.com

exercise, fiber, dietary suggestions, hemorrhoids