Stock photo. Posed by model.
Contrary to popular belief, haemorrhoid discomforts can be easy to treat. Simply eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes, drinking plenty of water and getting regular exercise can go a long way towards preventing and easing symptoms of piles.
What causes piles is often unknown but increased pressure on the rectum is believed to play a part. Ageing and constipation typically contribute to developing the disease and there may also be a link between stress and haemorrhoids, as stress is believed to trigger flare-ups. A healthy lifestyle can help prevent haemorrhoids, but sometimes treatment is needed.1-3
Causes of haemorrhoids
Constipation & haemorrhoids
Hard stools from chronic constipation and straining when you have a bowel movement can cause the piles. If you have a haemorrhoid flare-up, it’s important that you go to the bathroom as soon as you’re feeling the urge, because putting off a bowel movement only makes the constipation worse.4,5
Diet and haemorrhoids
A low fiber intake and haemorrhoids go hand in hand, since a diet that is low in fiber is one of the most common reasons for constipation. Conversely, eating a fiber-rich diet that is high in whole grains, fruit and vegetables is one of the best ways to prevent haemorrhoids. Avoid low-fiber foods like cheese, fast food, chips, ice cream as well as processed and prepared foods. It’s also important to drink plenty of water to soften stools enough that you don’t have to strain when you go to the bathroom.6,7
Overweight and haemorrhoids
Excess weight increases the pressure on the rectum and constricts the blood vessels and veins in the anal region.8 Exercising can help prevent piles by increasing circulation and muscle strength as well as encouraging regular bowel movements. Swimming, walking, yoga and pelvic floor exercises are a good choice if you have haemorrhoids.
Sitting for too long and haemorrhoids
If you’re standing or sitting for too long at work, gravity pushes the piles downward, which causes irritation. If you’re trapped in an office chair for most of the day, you can reduce your risk of developing haemorrhoids by taking micro breaks to walk around the office or doing stretches to increase blood flow in your body.8
1 Abramowitz, L. (2010) The Diagnosis and Management of Haemorrhoidal Disease from a Global Perspective. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Volume 31, Supplement 1. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04278.x.
2 The University of Texas at Austin. Hemorrhoids. [Online] Accessed 2020-10-29.
3 Mayo Clinic. Hemorrhoids. [Online] Accessed 2020-10-29.
4Harvard Health Publishing. Self-help steps to get through hemorrhoid flare-ups. [Online] Accessed 2020-10-29.
5 NCBI. Enlarged hemorrhoids: How can you relieve the symptoms yourself? [Online] Accessed 2020-10-29
6The University of Texas at Austin. Hemorrhoids. [Online] Accessed 2020-10-30.
7 Indiana University Health. 5 Top Hemorrhoids Myths – And the Truth about Treatement. [Online] Accessed 2020-10-30.
8 Los Angeles Colon & Rectal. Can prolonged sitting cause hemorrhoids? [Online] Accessed 2020-10-29.