Laughing while eating, too much protein in the diet and eating starch-rich foods can all contribute to the production of intestinal gas. The feeling of abdominal bloating and distention, stomach pains or the experience of inability to fart may all lead you to accumulation of gas in your gastrointestinal tract. Most often, this would result to constipation and you would opt to take in medicines that can increase the motility of your intestines to relieve it. Though these medicines can relieve you of the symptoms of gas accumulation, it would not treat the diseases that may be associated with it.
One condition that is associated with the symptoms caused by increased gas production is haemorrhoid. Though there is no direct causality between this condition and gas accumulation in the intestines, each worsens the symptoms of the other.
Hemorrhoids are produced as a result of twisting and swelling of anal and rectal veins. These are often precipitated by chronic constipation wherein constant pressure is applied on the veins of the lower gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy because of the pressure of the growing fetus to the intestines, and among the elderly because of decreased gastrointestinal motility. Too much straining can worsen this condition and it may cause prolapsing of hemorrhoidal veins.
There are two types of hemorrhoids- internal and external. An internal haemorrhoid lies above the anorectal junction, while the external are those that lie below it. Not allof them are aggravated by increased gas production, but it is the internal haemorrhoid that is most usually associated with it.
The problem with internal haemorrhoid, unlike with an external one, is that it usually does not present with any sign or symptom. Bleeding, which is usually bright red in color, may ensue if an internal haemorrhoid is not diagnosed and treated early. Some patients may present with pain and irritation upon defecating which is non-specific for internal ones.
One clue that you have the internal type is that gas accumulation can worsen pain when defecating. The stool that is being passed out into the rectum, and finally into the anus, creates additional pressure on the rectal and anal veins. The same is true for the intestinal gas that passes through the lower gastrointestinal tract. Farting usually precedes actual stool elimination and in order for the gas to pass out into the anus, the gas has to pass through the part of intestine that contains the digested food materials. The passing of gas through this portion of the intestines produces intestinal distention.
And again, distention can exert pressure on the veins located near it. These veins engorge and cause pain upon passing of both the gas and stool. Gas accumulation can also cause one to strain during defecation, especially so if the person is constipated. The mechanism by which straining aggravates an existing haemorrhoidis the same for the mechanism behind defecating.
The pain, other hemorrhoidal symptoms and gas accumulation can be relieved by preventing constipation. Since constipation is one of the major cause, it is necessary to prevent it by eating high-fiber diet, increasing water intake to about 8 to 10 glasses of water every day and by preventing high-starch foods, like potatoes and beans.
Share this:
