8 habits you didn’t know could cause haemorrhoids

You’ve heard of them. You may well have even had them. Still, you may wonder: What exactly is a haemorrhoid? “Haemorrhoids are dilated, swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum,” says David Greenwald, MD, director of clinical gastroenterology and endoscopy. “They may be asymptomatic, or may cause discomfort and occasional bleeding.” Here are eight everyday habits that can cause them.

You may think it’s harmless to pick up one end of the couch while you’re moving. But it could cause you to bear down too hard. That increases pressure in the rectum, causing the veins (called the haemorrhoidal plexus) to swell like a balloon, says Darren Brenner, MD, associate professor of medicine and gastroenterologist. Boom: haemorrhoids. Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to avoid this completely. Lifting correctly – you know, with your knees, not your back – can help.

For the same reason hoisting a big box can give you haemorrhoids, so too can lifting heavy weights at the gym, says Dr Brenner. The idea is to challenge yourself, of course, but make sure that you’re catering the workout to your abilities, and using weights that are right for you.

Learn the 16 things to never do at the gym.

When thinking about what causes haemorrhoids, consider your toilet time. Sure, it’s nice to hang out with your smartphone in the bathroom – it’s so quiet and relaxing in there! – but sitting too long on an open toilet bowl will cause gravity to put undue stress on these veins. Take all the time you need to go, says Dr Brenner, but once you’re done, flush and head out.

Taking too long in the loo? Learn more about controlling constipation.

If you’re making too many fast-food runs or relying on packaged snacks to get through the day, you may not be getting enough fibre. The necessary nutrient helps bulk up and soften your stool so it can sail through your GI tract smoothly.

“Consuming an adequate amount of fibre – whether through food, supplements, or a combination – leads to bulkier stools, which are then generally softer,” explains Dr Greenwald. “The typical recommendation for adults is 25 to 30 grams of fibre per day, along with [around two litres] of fluid.”

A review of studies published in 2015 in World Journal of Gastroenterology shows that supplementing with fibre helps lessen haemorrhoid symptoms and bleeding.

Watch out for these 16 low-carb diet mistakes you should never make.

If you go number two fewer than three times a week, you’re probably constipated. And the associated straining over lumpy, hard stools “causes the anal cushions that support these veins to become stretched, leading the haemorrhoidal veins to dilate and possibly lead to symptoms,” says Dr Greenwald.

Exercising, eating enough fibre, and sipping enough water to address thirst are all lifestyle tweaks you can make to get more regular.

Try these surprising home remedies to cure constipation.

One of the most common haemorrhoid causes is going too often. You’d think the result would be just the opposite. But pooping multiple times a day means you spend a lot of time on the toilet, possibly bearing down and straining. The fix, says Dr Brenner, is to address the underlying reason behind your diarrhoea. It may be viral (like the flu), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), medications, or a foodborne illness. Or you may need to simply tweak your diet.

Look out for these 12 silent signs your gut microbiome could be in trouble.

Growing a tiny human is a beautiful – but often not-so-glamorous – process. “Pregnancy leads to straining, thought to be from increased intra-abdominal pressure from the expanding uterus and foetus,” says Dr Greenwald.” It can be very troublesome for pregnant women. Many continue to have haemorrhoids following the delivery of the baby.”

In fact, a review of studies, published in 2014 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, found that almost 41 percent of pregnant women get haemorrhoids. They’re especially common during the last trimester and one month after delivery.

Traditional treatment, such as eating more fibre, staying hydrated and taking stool softeners, can help expectant mothers.

Everybody knows that being active goes a long way toward helping you maintain a healthy weight. But did you know that it can also lessen your odds of getting haemorrhoids? “Regular exercise – greater than 30 minutes per day of aerobic exercise – helps improve regular bowel functional,” says Dr Greenwald. But that’s not the only reason.

A study published in the International Journal of Colorectal Disease found a connection between BMI (body mass index) and haemorrhoids. For every point increase in BMI, adults had a 3.5 percent higher risk of suffering from haemorrhoids. That’s because excess weight applies extra pressure on the anal area.

Count this as one more reason to move your body for the recommended 150 minutes per week.

This is the least amount of exercise you need to live longer.

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Source: RD.com