Does your job require you to sit and/or stand for a longer period of time?
Be careful, it can cause you to suffer later from hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are usually caused by increased pressure in the lower abdominal area related to prolonged sitting.
On the other hand, the blood above the rectum also exerts pressure on the rectal and anal areas whenever you stand for a longer period of time. In this case, moderation is the key.
With hemorrhoids, it can lead to swollen veins in your anus and rectum, similar to varicose veins, which is also related to pregnancy, being overweight, living an inactive or sedentary lifestyle, increasing age, familial tendency, regular heavy lifting, or straining during bowel movements.
Medical experts said nearly 3-of-4 adults will have hemorrhoids from time-to-time. Hemorrhoids have a number of causes, but often the cause is unknown.
Fortunately, the battle is over. We can prevent ourselves from experiencing this very annoying health condition by first keeping our stools soft, so they pass easily.
Some steps you can take to prevent hemorrhoids are:
* Drink plenty of fluids. Drink 6-8 glasses of water and other liquids (not alcoholic drinks) each day to help keep your feces soft.
* Eat high-fiber foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables and also whole grains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can cause hemorrhoids. Take note, add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with excessive gas.
* Go as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait to pass a bowel movement and the urge goes away, your stool could dry out and be harder to pass.
* Exercise. Stay active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins, which can occur with long periods of standing or sitting. Exercise can also help you lose excess weight that might be contributing to your hemorrhoids.
* Don’t turn the bathroom into a reading room. Think of your time in the bathroom as a necessity, not an extended escape to answer calls from your phone or to open your Facebook, Instagram, or even playing internet games. Remember, the more time you spend on the toilet, the more likely you will strain for bowel movements. Also, the seated position puts extra stress on your anal blood vessels. Both of these factors boost your risk of hemorrhoids.
* When pregnant: avoid straining while using the toilet, avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods of time, pass a bowel movement as soon as you feel it coming by not holding it in or delaying, move around as much as you can by exercising and avoiding long periods of sitting.
Ana Williams is the health columnist for The Graham Star.