Hemorrhoids and sport: Can I engage in physical exercises? Detailed analysis
Hemorrhoids are a common disease characterized by inflammation and an increase in hemorrhoidal nodes in the anus and rectum. This condition can cause significant discomfort, pain, itching and bleeding, significantly affecting the quality of life. Many people who are faced with hemorrhoids are wondering: can you continue to play sports and physical exercises? The answer to this question is not unambiguous and depends on several factors, including the stage of the disease, the intensity of training, the type of exercise and the individual characteristics of the body.
Understanding hemorrhoids: causes, symptoms and stages
Before considering the influence of sports on hemorrhoids, it is important to understand the nature of this disease. Hemorrhoidal nodes are normal anatomical structures consisting of blood vessels, connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers located in the anal canal. They play an important role in maintaining the continence, that is, the ability to retain the contents of the intestines. Problems arise when these nodes are inflamed, increase in size and begin to fall out of the anal canal.
The reasons for the development of hemorrhoids:
- Increased intra -abdominal pressure: Excessive stress during defecation, chronic constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as intense physical activity can increase intra -abdominal pressure, leading to the expansion and inflammation of hemorrhoids.
- Sitting lifestyle: Long -term seat, especially on a hard surface, can disrupt blood circulation in the pelvis and contribute to the development of hemorrhoids.
- Inal meals: The lack of fiber in the diet, the use of spicy, salted and fatty foods can lead to constipation and irritation of the intestinal mucosa, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids.
- Genetic predisposition: Heredity plays a certain role in the predisposition to hemorrhoids.
- Inflammatory intestinal diseases: Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can increase the risk of hemorrhoids.
- Age: With age, fabric supporting hemorrhoids, weaken, which increases the risk of their loss.
Hemorrhoid symptoms:
- Bleeding from the anus: Bright blood on toilet paper, in the toilet or underwear is one of the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Itching and discomfort in the area of the anus: Inflammation and irritation of the skin around the anus can cause itching, burning and pain.
- Pain: The pain in hemorrhoids can be of different intensity, from slight discomfort to acute, pulsating pain, especially during defecation or seating.
- Gemorroid nodes loss: Increased hemorrhoids can fall out of the anal canal, especially during defecation. In the early stages, nodes can be adjusted independently, but over time they can remain outside and demand manual conversion.
- The feeling of a foreign body in the anus: The fallen hemorrhoids can create a feeling of discomfort and foreign body in the area of the anus.
Hemorrhoid stages:
Hemorrhoids are classified at four stages depending on the degree of loss of hemorrhoids:
- 1st stage: Hemorrhoids are enlarged, but do not fall out of the anal canal. Symptoms may include bleeding and discomfort.
- Stage 2: Hemorrhoids fall out during defecation, but settled on their own.
- Stage 3: Hemorrhoids fall out during defecation and require manual reduction.
- 4th stage: Hemorrhoids are constantly located outside and cannot be invited.
The influence of sports on hemorrhoids: positive and negative aspects
Sports and physical exercises can have both positive and negative effects on hemorrhoids. It is important to understand these aspects to make a conscious choice in favor of safe and effective training.
Positive aspects:
- Improving blood circulation: Regular physical exercises contribute to improving blood circulation in general, including the pelvic area. This can help reduce blood stagnation in hemorrhoids and prevent their inflammation.
- Normalization of intestinal work: Physical activity stimulates intestinal motility, which contributes to regular emptying and prevents constipation – one of the main causes of hemorrhoids.
- Weight loss: Excess weight and obesity can increase intra -abdominal pressure and contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. Physical exercises help reduce weight and reduce the load on the pelvic area.
- Strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor: Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, such as Kegel exercises, can help improve support for hemorrhoids and prevent their loss.
- Reducing stress: Stress and nervous tension can aggravate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Physical exercises help reduce stress and improve overall well -being.
Negative aspects:
- Increased intra -abdominal pressure: Some sports and exercises, especially strength training with heavy scales, can significantly increase intra -abdominal pressure, which can lead to expansion and inflammation of hemorrhoidal nodes.
- Traumatization of hemorrhoids: Exercises associated with jumping, running or driving on an uneven surface can injure hemorrhoids and aggravate the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Dehydration: Intensive training can lead to dehydration, which can cause constipation and aggravate the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Long -term sitting: Some sports, such as cycling or rowing, require long -term seating, which can disrupt blood circulation in the pelvis and contribute to the development of hemorrhoids.
- Incorrect exercise technique: The wrong technique of performing exercises, especially power, can lead to excessive stress of the abdominal muscles and increase intra -abdominal pressure, aggravating the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
The choice of sports and exercises for hemorrhoids
When choosing sports and exercises for hemorrhoids, it is necessary to take into account the stage of the disease, the intensity of training and the individual characteristics of the body. In general, it is recommended to avoid exercises that significantly increase intra -abdominal pressure or can injure hemorrhoids.
Recommended sports and exercises:
- Swimming: Swimming is one of the most favorable sports with hemorrhoids. It does not provide a load on the pelvic area, improves blood circulation and promotes muscle relaxation.
- Walking: Regular walking helps to improve blood circulation, normalize the intestinal and weight loss.
- Yoga: Some asanas of yoga can help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, improve blood circulation and reduce stress. It is important to avoid asanas that exert pressure on the anus.
- Pilates: Pilates is a set of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the bark, improving posture and flexibility. It can be useful for hemorrhoids, but it is important to avoid exercises that increase intra -abdominal pressure.
- Aquaerobika: Aquaerobics is a set of exercises performed in water. It does not provide a load on the joints and the pelvic area, improves blood circulation and promotes muscle relaxation.
- Kegel exercises: Kegel exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor. They help improve the support of hemorrhoids and prevent their loss.
Types of sports and exercises that should be avoided or performed with caution:
- Power training with heavy scales: The lifting of weights significantly increases intra -abdominal pressure, which can lead to the expansion and inflammation of the hemorrhoids. If you are engaged in strength training, use moderate weights and avoid exercises that cause stress in the abdomen.
- Running: Running, especially on an uneven surface, can injure hemorrhoids and aggravate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. If you like to run, choose even surfaces and use shock -absorbing shoes.
- Cycling: Long -term cycling on a bicycle seat can disrupt blood circulation in the pelvis and contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. If you are engaged in cycling, choose a comfortable seat and take regular breaks.
- Horse sport: Horse sport can injure hemorrhoids and aggravate the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Weightlifting: Heavy athletics is a sport associated with raising heavy weights. It significantly increases intra -abdominal pressure and can lead to the expansion and inflammation of the hemorrhoidal nodes.
- Exercises requiring straining: Exercises that require straining, such as heavyweight squats or hard thrust, increase intra -abdominal pressure and can aggravate hemorrhoids.
Recommendations for training for hemorrhoids:
- Consult a doctor: Before starting or continuing to play sports with hemorrhoids, you need to consult a doctor. He will be able to evaluate the stage of the disease and give individual recommendations for the choice of sports and the intensity of training.
- Start gradually: If you are just starting to play sports, start gradually, with easy exercises and short training. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of training as the condition improves.
- Avoid overstrain: Do not overstrain during training. If you felt pain or discomfort in the area of the anus, stop training and rest.
- Breathe correctly: Proper breathing during training helps to reduce intra -abdominal pressure. Try to breathe smoothly and deeply, avoiding breathing holdings.
- Drink enough water: Dehydration can lead to constipation that exacerbate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Drink enough water during the day, especially during and after training.
- Follow the diet: Proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoids. Include products rich in fiber in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit the use of spicy, salty and fatty foods.
- Use soft seat: If you are engaged in cycling or other sports that require long -term seating, use a soft seat to reduce the pressure on the anus area.
- Avoid constipation: Take measures to prevent constipation. Spearly use foods rich in fiber, drink enough water and engage in physical exercises.
- Follow hygiene: Maintain cleanliness in the anus. After each defecation, use soft toilet paper or wet wipes.
- Use local drugs: If necessary, use local drugs, such as ointments and candles, to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Consult a doctor to select a suitable drug.
- Do not tolerate pain: If you experience pain during training, do not tolerate it. Stop training and consult a doctor.
Additional recommendations:
- Strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor: Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, such as Kegel exercises, can help improve support for hemorrhoids and prevent their loss. Perform these exercises regularly, even if you have no symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Pay attention to posture: Proper posture helps to reduce the load on the pelvic area. Try to hold your back straight and shoulders straightened.
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing: Long -term sitting or standing can violate blood circulation in the pelvis and contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. If your work is associated with a long sitting or standing, make regular breaks and warm -ups.
- Regular medical examinations: Pass medical examinations regularly to identify and treat hemorrhoids in the early stages.
When should sports be stopped?
It is necessary to stop playing sports and see a doctor in the following cases:
- Bleeding from the anus: If you notice bleeding from the anus during or after training, immediately stop classes and consult a doctor.
- Strong pain in the anus: If you experience severe pain in the area of the anus during or after training, stop classes and consult a doctor.
- Gemorroid nodes loss: If you notice the loss of hemorrhoids during or after training, stop classes and consult a doctor.
- Deterioration of hemorrhoid symptoms: If you notice a deterioration in hemorrhoids after starting sports, stop classes and consult a doctor.
Alternative types of physical activity:
If you are contraindicated in intensive physical activity, consider alternative types of physical activity, such as:
- Walks in the fresh air: Walking in the fresh air is a great way to improve blood circulation, normalize the intestines and reduce stress.
- Gardening: Gardening is moderate physical activity that can help improve mood and reduce stress.
- Home affairs: Performing household chores, such as cleaning, ironing or cooking, can also be a form of physical activity.
In conclusion:
The question of whether it is possible to play sports with hemorrhoids, requires an individual approach. It is necessary to take into account the stage of the disease, the intensity of training, the type of exercise and individual characteristics of the body. In most cases, moderate physical activity is useful for hemorrhoids, as they improve blood circulation, normalize the intestines and reduce weight. However, exercises should be avoided that significantly increase intra -abdominal pressure or can injure hemorrhoids. Before starting sports, you need to consult a doctor in order to get individual recommendations. Following these recommendations, you can continue to play sports and maintain your health without aggravating the symptoms of hemorrhoids.