Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable --- uncomfortable physically and uncomfortable to talk about. Although often a source of embarrassment, they shouldn't be. According to MayoClinic.com, about half of adults have had to deal with them by age 50. The role of exercise with hemorrhoids is controversial because exercise can both prevent them and make existing ones worse.
Definition
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum. According to MayoClinic.com, there are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum and rarely cause discomfort. On occasion, straining during a bowel movement can push an internal hemorrhoid through the anus, causing irritation. This is called a protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid. External hemorrhoids are around your anus under the skin. They can itch or bleed when irritated. A blood clot can form in an external hemorrhoid, causing extreme pain and swelling.
The Facts
Symptoms of hemorrhoids may include pain, swelling, itching and irritation near your anus. You may notice fecal leakage or small amounts of bright red blood during a bowel movement. Pressure on the veins around the anus cause hemorrhoids. Obesity, pregnancy, chronic diarrhea or constipation and straining during bowel movements are the common causes of increased pressure. Hemorrhoids tend to be familial and your risk of getting hemorrhoids increases with age.
Significance of Exercise
Regular exercise can alleviate some of the causes of hemorrhoids. Moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes a day can stimulate bowel function according to experts at Harvard Medical School. Exercise can help you lose the extra weight that is causing pressure on the anal area. On the contrary, vigorous exercise that causes straining may make already existing hemorrhoids worse. If your hemorrhoids are actively bleeding, you may want to avoid activities that involve straining such as weight-lifting, as this may increase the bleeding. Dr. Paul C. Shellito of Harvard Medical School points out that the aggravation to hemorrhoids from exercise will be temporary. In the long-term, the benefits to hemorrhoids from exercise may outweigh the risks. Yoga may be the best exercise for bleeding hemorrhoids. It is gentle, and certain "inverted" positions such as "head stand pose," "candle pose" and "fish pose" may improve circulation. The idea behind yoga for hemorrhoids is that the stagnant blood in your hemorrhoids may flow back to the heart, healing the hemorrhoids and reducing the associated discomfort.
Prevention
In addition to getting regular exercise, there are several other steps you can take to prevent hemorrhoids, especially if you know that they run in your family. Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water to keep your stool soft. Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to defecate, as waiting could make your stool harder to pass. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Warning
Do not assume that the cause of bleeding during a bowel movement is hemorrhoids. Rectal bleeding can be a symptom of a gastrointestinal bleed, anal cancer and colorectal cancer. If your rectal bleeding is painful, excessive, does not improve with home treatment or is accompanied by a change in the appearance of your stool, see your doctor as soon as possible.
