What Causes Hemorrhoids To Flare Up?

Hemorrhoids or piles is a condition characterized by symptoms such as discomfort while passing stool or sitting, pain, irritation, and rectal bleeding. These symptoms sometimes act up more than normal and this is what is known as a hemorrhoids flare up. This article will explore what causes hemorrhoid flare ups and what you can do about it.  

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are like varicose veins but in the anus and rectum. They develop when the blood vessels in the anal and rectal area are subjected to a lot of strain. The hemorrhoids in the rectum are known as internal hemorrhoids while those in the anus are external hemorrhoids.

The excessive strain that makes hemorrhoids develop is caused by chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, obesity, pregnancy, and childbirth. Aging is also a factor that increases the risk of getting hemorrhoids because the tissues in the anus and rectum weaken so they easily cave under pressure. It’s estimated that half of the people over 50 years in the USA suffer from hemorrhoids.

Why Do Hemorrhoids Flare Up?

There are factors and some things you do that put you at a higher risk of getting hemorrhoid flare ups. They include:

Sitting For Too Long

If you have a job that has you sitting down most of the day or you spend your free time on your couch watching TV, your hemorrhoids are more likely to flare up. This is because sitting for long periods puts a strain on your anus and rectum.

The same also happens if you tend to spend too much time sitting on your toilet browsing your smartphone.    

Not Managing Your Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are the body’s natural responses when you’re facing danger so it goes into survival mode to help you fight or flee. When your body is in this state, it slows down the non-crucial functions at that moment like digestion. This state is only supposed to last momentarily until you escape danger and then the body resumes its normal functioning.

When you’re constantly stressed out or anxious, digestion is interfered with and it results in constipation. Constipation strains the rectum and anus so if you already have hemorrhoids, they flare up.

Eating Certain Foods

When you eat certain foods, they will aggravate your hemorrhoids situation. It’s important, therefore, to beware of what foods cause hemorrhoids to flare up. Examples are:

• Dairy products like milk and cheese that are low in fiber
• Processed foods like french fries and pizza that also have low fiber content
• Salty foods - they slow down digestion and complicate bowel movements
• Meat - takes a long time to be digested so it causes constipation
• Foods made from refined flour and grains because the fiber in them has been removed

Doing Strenuous Exercise

While exercising can improve digestion and prevent hemorrhoids, some exercises cause more harm than good. These include weightlifting, cycling and horseback riding. They put a lot of strain on the anus and rectum so they may result in flared hemorrhoids.

How to Treat a Hemorrhoid Flare Up

Below are home remedies for hemorrhoid flare ups you can try to get relief:

• Taking a sitz bath to soothe the irritation and improve blood circulation in the hemorrhoids
• Applying essential oils like peppermint and lavender oils to soothe irritation and inflammation
• Applying over-the-counter anti-hemorrhoid ointments, gels, and creams
• Including more fiber in your diet and taking fiber supplements. Read more about Hemorrhoids High Fiber Diet
• Applying natural products like aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and witch hazel
• Compressing an ice pack on the hemorrhoids
• Drinking more water
• Using recommended hemorrhoids treatment oil H-Hemmorhoids Formula Oil

Home remedies and preventive measures are enough to not only treat flare ups but get rid of hemorrhoids completely. If they still persist, you can seek the help of your doctor who will recommend the best intervention to cure them.