Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

elevate the head of the bed 6–9 inches to alleviate heart-

burn at night. This can be done with bricks under the

bed or with a wedge designed for this purpose.

Preventing heartburn’s switch to cancer begins

with preventing heartburn in the first place. A study

in Great Britain in 2004 also looked at using a combi-

nation of aspirin and an anti-ulcer drug to try to

prevent Barrett’s esophagus from forming in patients

with long-term heartburn. Aspirin has been found in

previous studies to reduce cases of esophageal cancer.

However, since one of its side effects is an increased

risk of stomach ulcers, the researchers were including

an effective anti-ulcer drug for participants.

Resources

PERIODICALS

‘‘Aspirin Trial Launched to Block Heartburn’s Switch to

Cancer.’’Drug Week. January 23, 2004:188.

Bealfsky, Peter C., and William Halsey. ‘‘An Endoscopic

View of a Wireless pH–Monitoring Capsule.’’Ear, Nose

and Throat Journal. April 2003: 254.

ORGANIZATIONS

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). PO Box

3099, Alexandria, VA 22302. (800) HRT-BURN.

<http://www.healthtouch.com.>

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).

7910 Woodmont Ave., 7th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814.

(310) 654-2055.<http://www.gastro.org/index.html.>

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 13 Elm

St., Manchester, MA 01944. (508) 526-8330.<http://

http://www.asge.org/doc/201.>

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 2

Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3570. (800)

891-5389.<http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/

nddic.htm.>

Lorraine Lica, PhD

Teresa G. Odle

Hemorrhoids

Definition

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, refers to a condi-

tion in which the veins around the anus or rectum are

swollen and inflamed. Dietary adjustments are known

to help relieve hemorrhoids.

Origins

Ten million people in the United States have hem-

orrhoids, leading to a prevalence greater than 4%. Up

to a third of these people require medical treatment,

resulting in 1.5 million prescriptions per year. The peak

age for hemorrhoids is 45–65 years. The term hemor-

rhoid is usually related to symptoms caused by hemor-

rhoids. Hemorrhoids occur in healthy individuals. It is

when they become enlarged, inflamed, or prolapsed, that

most people refer to the condition as hemorrhoids. They

are rarely a serious risk to health, and result from too

much pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins in the rectum.

The strain ofconstipation, diarrhea and pregnancy can

cause the veins to swell. Other factors such asobesityand

liver disease can also increase pressure and cause hemor-

rhoids. There are three types of hemorrhoids:

Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids can not

be seen, they are inside the anus. Straining or irrita-

tion from passing stool can injure a hemorrhoid’s

delicate surface and cause bleeding. Because internal

anal membranes lack pain-sensitive nerve endings,

these hemorrhoids usually do not cause discomfort.

External hemorrhoids: These hemorrhoids are under

the skin around the anus and tend to be painful.

Sometimes blood may collect in an external hemor-

rhoid and form a clot, causing severe pain, swelling

and inflammation. When irritated, external hemor-

rhoids can itch or bleed.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids: These are internal hemor-

rhoids that are so distended that they are pushed

outside the anus.

Internal

hemorrhoids

Rectum

External

sphincter

Anus

Rectal

valves

Sigmoid

colon

Pelvic

muscle

External

hemorrhoids

Sitting for long periods, pregnancy, constipation, and

straining to defecate all contribute to hemorrhoids, which are

caused by congestion in the veins of the lower rectum or

anus.(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group/Thomson Gale.)

Hemorrhoids