Can’t Sit Down? Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Do you sit down all day at work? Only to go home and sit at a table to eat dinner, and then sit down on the couch to watch TV? Sitting too much has become a health hazard. It increases your risk of having diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, cancer, and hemorrhoids. Sitting can cause pain and affect your overall health. Let’s discuss the relationship between hemorrhoids and sitting.

Hemorrhoids are veins on the inside or outside of your anus/rectum that are swollen and inflamed. They are usually caused because you strain during bowel movements, you are overweight or obesity, you’re pregnant or have delivered a baby recently, or you sit for long periods.

Pain or Discomfort

Do you have sharp and severe pain or discomfort in your rectum? Is it worse when you sit or have a bowel movement? This is only one of many symptoms that come with hemorrhoids:

  • Itching: Hemorrhoids often itch. Try not to scratch them, and use a hemorrhoid cream to relieve the itching.
  • Bleeding: You may see bright red blood on your stools, on toilet paper after wiping, or dripping into the toilet water.
  • Swelling: Hemorrhoids tend to swell. Try sitting on a cushion instead of a hard surface to reduce the swelling and prevent more hemorrhoids from developing.
  • Lump: External hemorrhoids are usually visible as hard lumps on the rim of your anus. You can have multiple lumps and each are about the size of a grape, but can be smaller or larger.

Several symptoms accompany hemorrhoids. Some can be treated with over-the-counter medications and ointments. Some may require surgery and other medical procedures. Although having hemorrhoids can be embarrassing to talk about, you are not alone. Millions of people have hemorrhoids. Contact your doctor about options and recommendations.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

There are multiple reasons why hemorrhoids develop, including:

  • Sitting: Avoid sitting for long periods. Straining and sitting too long, especially on the toilet during bowel movements, increases pressure on and aggravates the veins in your anus/rectum.
  • Medications: Other medications you take can actually make your hemorrhoids worse. Ibuprofen, aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDS, can make hemorrhoids bleed excessively. Most topical creams and ointments contain synthetic chemical ingredients, which make hemorrhoids more painful. They can cause allergic reactions, resulting in tenderness and sensitivity.
  • Dehydration: Staying hydrated and drinking 8 glasses of water daily helps soften your stools to prevent and minimize hemorrhoids and constipation. If you are dehydrated, your stools remain hard and difficult to pass.
  • Stress: Your gastrointestinal tract can be affected by stress, which suppresses your bowels, causing constipation and irregular bowel movements. Are you stressed about meeting a deadline or getting to a meeting on time? Then, going to the bathroom does not become a priority.

Take time to figure out what is causing your hemorrhoids. Then, take action and be proactive, rather than reactive.

Stop Sitting So Much

Today, many jobs and professions require sitting at a desk all day. But there are ways to stop sitting so much. Here are just a few options:

  • Breaks: Every hour, for a few minutes, stand up and stretch your body, including your legs, arms, neck, and back. If there is space, try doing some squats, lunges, or push-ups. These simple movements keep your blood flowing and increase your energy level, while decreasing your chance of developing hemorrhoids. If necessary, use your computer or phone to set up alarms to remind you to take these breaks. Don’t be embarrassed because these movements improve productivity and your co-workers will soon follow you setting an example.
  • Chair Ergonomics: Make sure your workspace is ergonomically friendly and meets your needs. Don’t settle for a basic office chair. Pick a chair that cushions and reduces pressure on your rectum. Sit on a soft surface rather than a hard one if you have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid donut cushions are not helpful as they recreate sitting on a toilet sit and can actually exacerbate swelling.
  • Sit-Stand Desks: Ask for a sit-stand desk where you can either sit down in a chair or raise the desk to use it standing up. This type of desk is known to help employees focus, have more energy, and reduce the development and return of hemorrhoids.
  • Toilet Time: Reduce the amount of time you spend on the toilet and straining during bowel movements. Also, improve your bathroom posture.

If you sit all day at work, ask your manager or Human Resources Department about available options that will make you, and your hemorrhoids, more comfortable. The company you work for should be willing to invest in you and your health.

Don’t Just Sit There

Prolonged sitting on the toilet is one of the most common causes of hemorrhoids. Follow the suggested guidelines to improve your health and well-being.