Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 3-10-17

Health
Serious pain that goes from your behind to your thigh and calf can be a sign of a disk problem in your back.
Called a herniated or slipped disk, it happens when one of the cushions that separate the small bones in your spine gets squashed and starts ooz- ing a jelly-like substance. Sometimes there aren’t any symptoms, but if the disk presses on nearby nerves -- or the jelly material irritates them -- it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. It’s usually caused by wear and tear as you get older and is treated with medicine, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.
Hemorrhoids are found inside and outside of your rectum.
Basically swollen veins, they can be painless in your rectum -- the tube of muscles connected to your colon -- but you may have minor bleeding when you poop. If they’re on your anus, they can cause severe pain and irritation. Most of the time, you probably won’t know why they happen, but pregnancy and straining during a BM can put pressure on the veins. They’re treated with over- the-counter remedies, ice, and, in rare cases, sur- gery.
You may have chronic constipation if you have fewer than 3 BMs a week.
If you often have trouble going, it can be a problem with the nerves in your rectum and colon, a blockage in that area, or a problem with the muscles that help you poop. Certain condi-
tions that affect your hormones -- such as dia- betes, pregnancy, or a thyroid gland that doesn’t work right -- also can lead to constipation. If you have it only occasionally, it’s typically caused by a lack of fiber and water in your diet -- and a lack of exercise also can play a role. This usually goes away on its own.
A loose hair near your tailbone can cause problems if it is forced back into your skin.
It’s called a pilonidal cyst, and it usually hap- pens at the base of your tailbone. Your body re- sponds to the hair like it's a foreign object and builds a cyst -- a pocket of skin debris, hair, and fluid -- around it. It can be very painful if it gets infected, and it may need to be drained or re- moved. It happens most often in men in their 20s and people who are obese or aren’t very active.
Your rectum can slide out through your anus.
This rare condition, called rectal prolapse, happens most often to women over 50. While it can be a shock, it’s not usually a sign of a serious health problem. Special garments can help hold it in place, but surgery can sometimes correct it.
A severe, stabbing pain in your rectum can be caused by a spasm of the muscles in your rec- tum, anal sphincter and pelvis.
Called proctalgia, this pain can be caused by many things, including hemorrhoids, ulcers, or anal fissures. It also can be caused by stress. Talk
to your doctor if you have this. He may recom- mend a natural vegetable powder that can help you have large, soft bowel movements that stretch your muscles and help prevent spasms.
Ulcers (open sores) can happen in your rec- tum.
Called solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, it can cause constipation, bleeding, and rectal pain, and you may pass mucus. It’s usually treated with changes in your diet, drugs, or therapy that helps you learn not to strain when you go to the bath- room.
Pain that goes from your lower back through your buttocks and down the back of your leg is caused by something pushing on a nerve.
This is called sciatica, and it happens to your sciatic nerve. This may be caused by a herniated disk, a bone spur on your spine, or, in rare cases, a tumor or nerve damage caused by diabetes. See your doctor. Your treatment will depend on the cause.
Pain and tenderness just under your buttocks can be signs of a hamstring injury.
It’s called high hamstring tendinopathy, and it’s usually caused by overuse. In some cases, it can be painful to even sit on a hard surface. Run- ners, especially distance runners, are particularly at risk for it. Strength training and physical ther- apy may help.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B