The normal gastrointestinal tract is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, the large intestines, the rectum and the anus. All of these, except the rectum and the anus, have the goal of digesting the food that we eat into smaller particles to facilitate absorption of nutrients in the food. The food that comes from the mouth is propelled down to the esophagus and consequently, to the other parts of the gastrointestinal tract through peristalsis, the alternating contraction and relaxation movements of the muscles of the tract. A decrease in the peristalsis can cause constipation while the opposite causes diarrhea.
When diet lacks fibre or when the muscles of the gastrointestinal get weakened by some mechanisms, constipation occurs. This is the decrease in the frequency of bowel elimination, usually less than 3 times a week. Prolonged constipation or too much straining can exert pressure on the veins in the rectum and anus.
Too much pressure on these veins cause their engorgement and they may protrude into the anus. These protruding veins are called haemorrhoids. It’s a type of varicose vein that is painful, swollen and sometimes, itchy. To relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to cure haemorrhoids are used. These drugs are varied but they all have the same mechanism of action- and that is the suppression of inflammatory mediators that cause the pain and swelling.
One of the most famous NSAIDs is Ibuprofen, a Mefenamic Acid type of NSAID. This drug is not only used for haemorrhoids but for other sources of pain as well, like headache, joint pains and dysmenorrhea.
What it does is that it inhibits prostaglandin (PG), which is released by the cells in response to inflammatory process. PG causes vasodilation and pain. Vasodilation or the relaxation of blood vessels ultimately leads to swelling, because this allows fluids to leave the vessels and therefore stay in between the cells. The accumulation of fluids in between these cells, a compartment called interstitium, leads to swelling or edema. This is exactly the cause of the engorgement of the veins in haemorrhoids. Taking Ibuprofen whenever pain arises can relieve the discomfort associated with this condition.
Another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to cure haemorrhoids is Acetaminophen. This acts similarly like Ibuprofen, however it doesn’t relieve swelling. This is recommended if the haemorrhoid is not protruding and if the veins are not engorged. You can take acetaminophen as necessary to relieve pain.
What you should be careful about taking in non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs to cure haemorrhoids are their side effects. Though they may relieve the swelling and the pain, they may cause other symptoms that are not necessarily related with your condition. The most common side effect of these drugs is gastrointestinal upset that in chronicity, can lead to gastric ulcer. The best way to avoid this condition is to take the medicines after eating meals. You should also take note of the interval of dosing, which is every 4 to 6 hours, and these medicines may be contraindicated for pregnant women and children. If you are pregnant, it is best to consult your doctor first before taking any medicines as they can pose threat to your baby.
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