Dr Hilary Jones' Healthcare Guide - West Midlands - (Page 38)

COLORECTAL – LOWER DIGESTIVE TRACT digest THIS Disorders of the colon, rectum and anus are more common than you think can be caused by a change in lifestyle, diet or stress, and usually go away without treatment. However, it is also possible for people to develop symptoms that point to a more serious colorectal disorder – a condition of the colon or rectum, which together form the lower digestive tract. We look at two common problems. W Remember Your GP has seen it all before… don’t be embarrassed about intimate conditions Haemorrhoids e all experience digestive upset from time to time – constipation, diarrhoea or wind are common. They known as piles, and around half of us will suffer from them at some time. Bleeding is an indicator of piles, as is a mucous discharge. These are swellings on the inside of the anal canal in areas known as the anal ‘cushions’. These help seal the anus and control bowel movements. Sometimes, however, the cushions swell up, become displaced and slide out of the anus. This condition is commonly OUT YOUR BOTTOM HEALTH The facts and stats of conditions and diseases in the UK FIGURING WHAT CAUSES IT? The exact cause isn’t known, although haemorrhoids are said to be caused by the same factors that make our blood vessels swell, which includes anything that increases pressure inside the abdomen. TREATMENT Over-the-counter treatments can relieve symptoms, but won’t cure piles. Creams, ointments and suppositories can ease pain and itching and products containing corticosteroids can lessen inflammation and pain. If these treatments don’t work, it may be necessary to have them surgically removed. This is known as a haemorrhoidectomy. Colorectal cancer 1 038 Dr Hilary Jones’ Healthcare guide – West Midlands 6% of men will get bowel cancer, compared with 5% of women. Around 85% of the patients diagnosed with bowel cancer are over 60. cases of bowel cancer in the UK. New studies estimate that this figure could increase to around 35,000 by 2040. 2 system – which includes the colon or rectum. Approximately 80% of these cancers occur in the colon and 20% in the rectum. The symptoms of bowel cancer are blood or mucus in the stools, changes in bowel movements, abdominal pain and unexplained loss of weight. However, if it is diagnosed early enough, bowel cancer can frequently be cured. Also known as bowel cancer, this refers to cancers of the last section of the digestive Each year, there are 23,000 new WHAT CAUSES IT? The exact cause is unknown, but the risks increase with age – 85% of people diagnosed with the condition are over 60. Genetics also play a part. Some evidence suggests that a diet high in meat and fat, but low in fibre, increases risk due to the irregular bowel movements produced by such a diet. TREATMENT Surgery is the most common treatment for bowel cancer. It involves removing malignant tumours and lymph nodes (glands) that are close by, as the cancer may well have spread to them. Keyhole surgery is now a popular method as it has a fairly quick recovery. population suffer from piles. There is no exact figure as many people are too embarrassed to visit their GP… 3 Between 4%-25% of the UK people will get an anal fistula. Among those with Crohn’s disease or HIV, the incidence rate is up to three in 10 people. n 4 Around two in 10,000 WORDS: Puneet Chahal| PHOTOGRAPH: Getty Images

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dr Hilary Jones' Healthcare Guide - West Midlands

EDITOR’S LETTER
A HEALTHY HELLO FROM DR HILARY
NEWS AND VIEWS
THE BIG INTERVIEW
QUESTION TIME
A WEIGHTY ISSUE
FITNESS FOR FREE
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
TOP NOSH
DR HILARY'S WELCOME
MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION
CHOOSING THE BEST
BREAST CANCER
COLORECTAL
COSMETIC SURGERY
DERMATOLOGY
EARS, NOSE AND THROAT
FERTILITY
GASTROENTEROLOGY
HAEMATOLOGY
NEUROSURGERY
OBESITY
OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
OPHTHALMOLOGY
ORTHOPAEDICS
PAIN MANAGEMENT
PLASTIC SURGERY
PLASTIC SURGERY
UROLOGY

Dr Hilary Jones' Healthcare Guide - West Midlands

http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/DrHilaryJones-HealthcareGuide/Dr_Hilary_Jones_Health_Care_Guide_NorthWest
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/DrHilaryJones-HealthcareGuide/Dr_Hilary_Jones_Health_Care_Guide_Essex_Kent_Sussex
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/DrHilaryJones-HealthcareGuide/Dr_Hilary_Jones_Health_Care_Guide_WestMidlands
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com