Anal fissures and hemorrhoids are literally a pain in the butt that can be severe enough to make you avoid bowel movements and physical activity. If exercise causes discomfort because you have an anal fissure or hemorrhoids, consult with your doctor to determine the type of exercises you should avoid until pain subsides and how to treat symptoms.
Identification
Anal fissures make bowel movements painful because of a small tear in the skin of the anus. The anus is the opening where stools exit from the body, and the tear is often visible when the area is slightly stretched. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins caused by pressure around the anus. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures both cause bleeding, which is visible around the anus, on the toilet paper or in the toilet. Unlike an anal fissure, bleeding from hemorrhoids is usually painless. An anal fissure causes burning during bowel movements. Both anal fissures and hemorrhoids can cause itching, irritation and pain in the anal region. Depending on the severity of hemorrhoids, feces can leak from your anus between bowel movements. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures can cause discomfort during physical activities, such as cycling, since the seat of a bike places pressure on the anal region. If hemorrhoids or anal fissures cause severe discomfort, all physical activity can be painful.
Causes
Anal fissures and hemorrhoids can both be caused by constipation. The colon can absorb too much water, which leaves stools hard, dry and difficult to eliminate by the time your stools exit the anus. This causes pressure in the anal region and may tear the delicate tissue of the anus. Slow muscle contractions through the colon can also cause constipation. A low-fiber diet and inadequate fluid intake often cause constipation. Chronic diarrhea, birth of a child, anal intercourse and straining during bowel movements increase your risk of both anal fissures and hemorrhoids. Chronic diarrhea can be caused by several conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Exercise does not cause anal fissures or hemorrhoids.
Treatment
Increase fiber in your diet so you’re consuming 20 grams to 35 grams of fiber each day and always drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water. Fiber can soften your stools and make them easier to pass. Exercise helps relieve constipation, which provides relief for both anal fissures and hemorrhoids. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Regular exercise can speed the healing of anal fissures. If you have chronic diarrhea, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind, so have underlying conditions that cause your diarrhea treated as soon as possible. Stool softeners make stools easier to pass. Several over-the-counter ointments, suppositories and pads are available to relieve discomfort from hemorrhoids, but surgical methods are necessary for large hemorrhoids that don’t respond to other treatments. Soak the anus in warm water several times per day to promote healing of an anal fissure. It’s important to keep your anus dry and clean if you have an anal fissure. If the anal fissure is severe or not healing, surgery may be necessary to relax the anal sphincter.
Prevention
Being overweight makes it more likely that you will develop to hemorrhoids, and exercise helps you lose or maintain a healthy weight. Exercise also helps keep your digestive system regular and boosts your immune system, which may result in less constipation and less diarrhea caused by infections. Do not strain during bowel movements since this places pressure on the anal region and use the restroom as soon as you feel the urge.
