Hemorrhoids, or piles, are swollen veins around your anus and inside your lower rectum. Sometimes a hemorrhoid can prolapse, or push through your anus to the outside of your body, which can make exercise and even normal movement particularly uncomfortable. However, there is no medical reason for not exercising with the condition -- in fact, the right activity may even help.
Causes
Hemorrhoids are most often caused by excessive straining when passing a bowel movement. This action places the blood vessels in your anus under increased pressure, which can lead to them swelling and forming hemorrhoids. Other risk factors include being overweight, having constipation -- which leads to straining -- or persistent diarrhea, being pregnant -- which places increased pressure on the blood vessels in your pelvis, regularly straining to lift heavy objects and being over 50, because aging weakens your body's structures, including your blood vessels.
Symptoms
Often the first sign you have internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood in your stool. The condition usually doesn't cause any pain until a hemorrhoid prolapses; at that point, you may also experience itchiness around your anus. Blood clots can form on external hemorrhoids, appearing as hard lumps or swellings, and they may bleed and become painful. Fortunately hemorrhoids are not a serious condition, and symptoms often go away without treatment after a few days.
Exercise and Hemorrhoids
There is no medical reason not to exercise if you have hemorrhoids, but some activities may cause you discomfort or make your symptoms temporarily worse. Avoid vigorous exercise and activities that require you to strain, such as weightlifting, because they can cause your hemorrhoids to swell. If you have prolapsed hemorrhoids, you may also want to avoid cycling and riding a horse, as the seated position may prove uncomfortable.
Exercise as Treatment
While it's best to avoid some activities when you have hemorrhoids, regular exercise can be an effective treatment method. This is because exercise can promote digestion and bowel function, therefore reducing or eliminating constipation -- a major cause of the condition. Other at-home methods for easing hemorrhoids are drinking 6 to 8 oz. of nonalcoholic fluids a day -- again, to promote regular bowel movements -- avoiding straining when you are passing a stool and sitting in a warm bath for 10 minutes.
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