Obesity and Hemorrhoids

Having struggled with hemorrhoids for the past twenty years, I know how hard it is to make this one critical change: losing the excess weight that's hampering circulation and putting strain on the heart. But losing those pounds will take a weight off your hemorrhoids.

Obesity--especially around the waist--bears down on your pelvic veins. Especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. The pressure of this abdominal fat reduces the ability of your pelvic veins to circulate blood.

Obesity also can cause hemorrhoid veins to bulge or balloon out, due to this same intra-abdominal pressure. And once the veins have ballooned out, they never return fully to their previous taut size. They become more flaccid and less able to return blood back to your heart.

The normal aging process also complicates this situation. For many of us, as we age, the valves that keep our leg veins closed start weakening. Weak valves also prevent our blood from being able to ascend back to the heart. As a result, blood starts pooling in leg and pelvic veins. Possible outcomes? Hemorrhoids, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, phlebitis and even thrombosis.

In addition, obese people are more prone to prolapsed hemorrhoids (those which protrude from the anus) simply because of their higher intra-abdominal pressure.

Obesity often leads to weak muscle tone. Weak abdominal and pelvic muscles can't support the weight of internal organs and fat, so the load ends up pressing down on the pelvic floor. Compressing those hemorrhoidal veins which are bothering you so much.

By shedding excess pounds, you will relieve the pressure on your circulatory system. And free-flowing circulation allows for better healing in all parts of your body.

Although hemorrhoidal veins which have become enlarged cannot shrink back down 100%, their carrying capacity can be improved by the following:

-If overweight, shed at least 10% of your body weight.
-Get daily, gentle cardio exercise - it improves your heart's ability to pump. A brisk walk for 30 minutes a day is essential.
-Ask your doctor about venotonic supplements containing horse chestnut, butcher's broom, and/or bioflavonoids; these plant-based substances actually improve vein function by reducing micro-leakage of fluid and combatting inflammation.

Since obese people are much less likely to exercise--and some exercises actually make hemorrhoids worse--you may find yourself wondering what you can do to get started on losing weight. Until your hemorrhoid pain has subsided, avoid exercise that causes high abdominal pressure, such as slant board sit-ups, squats, and heavy weightlifting. 

In the long run, 30 minutes of walking each day is far better for your general health than huge gym workouts that end up causing your hemorrhoids to flare up--and causing you to give up on exercise.

So--know that you are in control of one root cause of hemorrhoids. By reducing weight through diet and exercise, you may be able to improve circulation, get symptomatic relief, and help inflamed tissue heal.