Hemorrhoids, why do they get worse in summer and what can we do?

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in the anus and lower part of the rectum. And they can develop inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or around the anus, which are called external hemorrhoids.

It is estimated that in Spain, 13% of the population is affected by hemorrhoids, being one of the anorectal pathologies with the highest prevalence.

It’s more common in women. And its appearance is more common during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes and increased intra-abdominal pressure, typical of pregnancy.

However, pregnancy is not the only risk factor, as it may be related to other pathologies.

• . This ailment is highly relevant due to its high prevalence and its impact on the quality of life of the people who suffer from it. It’s a malfunction of the venous return system in the legs that causes the appearance of varicose veins. Chronic venous disease is the most frequent vascular pathology among the population. Up to 64% of women and 37% of men suffer from it.

• . This pathology has an estimated prevalence of around 20% of the planet’s inhabitants, according to the constipation guide of the World Gastroenterology Organization (OMG). In addition, it is more frequent in the female sex, in people with sedentary life and in those who digest a diet low in liquids and fiber (fruits and vegetables). The experts establish a scale to talk about constipation: less than three bowel movements a week, and that the stools are hard, in little quantity or dry, it is a sign that the patient suffers from constipation.

Because, as the (SEMI) explains, hemorrhoids often “dilate or inflame as a result of the effort to evacuate the intestine, although they can be caused by other factors such as pregnancy, chronic constipation, diarrhea or aging” .

Those who are most at risk of suffering from piles are those who are standing or sitting for a long time and pregnant, especially in recent weeks

In summer, due to the increase in temperaturesthey become a nightmare by worsening your symptoms.

And it is that, the main sign of hemorrhoids is pain “around the anus” together with the appearance of “bright red blood in the stool”. But it is important to note that these symptoms can also be due to other pathologies such as anal bleeding or colorectal or anal cancer.

Chronic venous disease and constipation are risk factors for hemorrhoids freepik

Can hemorrhoids be avoided?

As already mentioned, pregnancy is not the only risk factor for piles. The , as the SEMI experts point out, since “it favors its appearance due to increased abdominal pressure on the pelvic floor.”

Other factors also favor hemorrhoids. “Standing or sitting for a long time, especially if the seat is inadequate; pregnancy, especially in the last weeks.

• “The existence of portal hypertension, that is, increased venous pressure at the level of the portal system, generally due to suffering from a hepatic cirrhosis, and less often for cancer. Sometimes they are related to an abuse of laxatives; or nutritional factors that condition a habitual diet without residues”.

A diet rich in fiber is essential to avoid its appearance

And, for this reason, you must “maintain a normal bowel movement rhythm” which is influenced by drinking plenty of fluids and a diet with an adequate percentage of fiber. “He too defecate calmlybeing relaxed when we sit on the toilet ”, emphasize the specialists.

The recipe to cure hemorrhoids

Usually, piles can subside and heal without doing anything. However, the family doctor, or a coloproctologist, can prescribe a medical treatment that consists of “anti-inflammatory, analgesic or softening drugs for the stool.”

It is also recommended:

• Sitz bath. For 15 minutes, and with lukewarm water, sit on a basin two or three times a day. It is one of the most used home remedies to relieve pain and accelerate healing. Soap should not be added and the skin around the anus should be washed after each sitz bath.
• High fiber diet.
• Physical exercise.

Cryotherapy or sclerotherapy are some of the surgeries to cure hemorrhoids freepik

Surgery, the last option

When the hemorrhoids do not improve, it is necessary to resort to a surgical intervention. The Spanish Society of Internal Medicine points out that the most common treatments are the following:

• cryotherapy. It is a method in which cold is used to destroy the affected tissue.
• Infrared photocoagulation to burn the hemorrhoidal tissue.
• sclerotherapy in which chemical substances are used for its degeneration.
• Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD).
• Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) to decrease blood flow from piles.