Way TMI Tuesday..........

I've told this story before, so please bear with me, I'm going somewhere with it.....
When I was born, we did not have TV yet. My Mom's favorite radio personality was a deep voiced man by the name of Galen Drake. It was this well-known man that I was named after. He later became the spokesperson for a popular product called Preparation-H.
For those of you not familiar with the joy of Hemorrhoidal Suffering, here is a brief overview.
Up until about 60 yrs ago, hemorrhoids were commonly refered to as Piles. In a nutshell, it is nothing more than inflammation or swelling of the rectum or anus. ( Rectum? It damned near killed him!)...Sorry, old joke. Hemorrhoids can extend beyond the anal verge sometimes, and can become very irritating and itchy. Both constipation and chronic diarrhea , which causes a strain on the rectum during bowell movements can cause this condition. Postponing bowel movements, and fiber-deprived diets may also contribute. Additional factors that can influence the course of hemorrhoids, are obesity, and a sedintery lifestyle. ( mostly because of the increase on rectal vein pressure ) . And anal sex can also stress the rectum, if little or no lubricant is used!! Before Preparation-H , Piles were treated for years in a natural and holistic way, these include....

Olive oil
Drinking 99% pure Aloe Juice
Taking herbs that stregthen the vein walls, like Butchers Broom, Bromelain, Horse Chestnut.
Applying natural astringents such as, Witch Hazel, Cranesbill and Aloe Vera
Drinking Camomile Tea several times a day
Eating fiber-rich bulking agents such as Psyllium Seed Husks, and Plantain, for softer stools.

Pile sufferers should avoid using laxatives, and should avoid hard straining during bowel movements. Avoid wearing tight clothing and tight underwear also...

People that sit a lot at their work, have been known to develope hemorrhoids. The novelist Anthony Burgess referred to them as Writers Evil. The British must have suffered greatly from them, because there are many British slang terms for the affliction, such as....
Chalfonts
Farmers
Nobbys
Badmittons
Ceramics
Nuremburgs
Emmas
Rockfords
Nauticals
Dehydration can cause a hard stool or chronic constipation, this can lead to hemorrhoidal flare-up. An excess of Lactic Acid can also contribute to Pile Pain, if this condition persists, avoidance of Dairy Products especially cheese can bring some relief. Vitamen E deficiency is also a common cause...Foods considered 'probiotic' can bring some comfort, these include yogurt with active cultures, and most fruits and vegetables..

If you are a hemorrhoid sufferer, you are not alone. Many famous people throughout history suffered this malady...
Socrates
Nero
Alexander the Great
Martin Luther
Lewis Carol
Charles Dickens
Edgar Allen Poe
Percy Shelly
Queen Victoria
Marilyn Monroe

There you have it......Way Too Much Information, for TMI Tuesday! I gotta go now, my Nuremburgs are starting to bother me a bit.... Peace..... Galen