Exercise and Hemorrhoids

By Paul C. Shellito, M.D., Harvard Health Publications

Question:
Can running or exercise make hemorrhoids worse or cause them not to heal?
Answer:
Symptoms of hemorrhoids may sometimes be brought on by activity. Vigorous exercise, or any activity that causes exertion, straining or bearing down (such as weight lifting, childbearing, or even straining to have a bowel movement) can cause hemorrhoids to swell. Exercise will not, however, cause a lasting negative change in the hemorrhoids. In other words, exercise may make symptoms worse temporarily, but the hemorrhoids will not permanently worsen. There is no reason to avoid exercise because of hemorrhoids, unless it causes symptoms that you find unacceptable.
Hemorrhoids are lumps of tissue in the anus. These lumps contain enlarged blood vessels. Hemorrhoids may be inside the anal canal ("internal hemorrhoids"), where they primarily cause sporadic bleeding, usually when having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids may also lie outside the anal canal ("external hemorrhoids"), where they primarily cause swelling and sometimes discomfort. These symptoms may occur sporadically. Many people have both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Sometimes blood vessels in external hemorrhoids may clot (undergo "thrombosis"). This causes the sudden appearance of a firm lump (½ to 1 inch) at the anal opening. This may be quite painful. The underlying hemorrhoid may have been so small that the person never noticed it before. The hemorrhoid thrombosis usually goes away with time.
Hemorrhoids are not dangerous, so treatment is almost always optional. Minor symptoms can be relieved with home treatment. The most important treatment is a daily fiber powder (such as "Metamucil"). This keeps the stools soft. Also, soaking in warm water three times a day can help if there is swelling, inflammation or discomfort. Ointments, creams, and suppositories are less important.
Hemorrhoids don't actually "heal." They just have ups and downs in terms of the symptoms they cause. Nevertheless, if you see rectal bleeding, visit your doctor. This is to determine if the bleeding is only from hemorrhoids and not from something more serious, such as rectal cancer.
If hemorrhoid symptoms are persistent and bothersome despite home treatment, you may consider surgery (hemorrhoidectomy) or office treatment with rubber band ligation. Although this surgical removal of hemorrhoids is painful, it is effective. With rubber band ligation, a rubber band is slipped around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off its circulation. Once it has been deprived of its vital blood supply, the banded hemorrhoid withers and falls off.

Mizuno Rider 14 Review

As promised, I am giving my 10-cent worth review of the New Mizuno Rider 14 as compared to its predecessor, the iconic Mizuno Rider 13.
It will be recalled in my review of the Mizuno Rider 13, I mentioned that by far, it is the most comfortable running shoe I have tried.  First, let me discuss at least 2 improvements made by the Mizuno guys to the Rider 14, from the technology point of view.  One.  The Rider 14 now boast of an improved midsole called AP+.  Compared to Rider 13 with AP (no plus) midsole, the new AP+ is designed to last longer and cushions better than the previous AP midsole.  The Mizuno website says it is more springier.  Well, it depends on the built and weight of the wearer.  For my built of only 128 lbs, I would say that the AP+ is a minus for me.  I find it too hard or compacted compared to the AP midsole of the Rider 13.  I noticed immediately when I tried it that is not as comfortable as the 13.  I've been using my Rider 13 for more than a year with mileage of more than 200 kms and the shape of it has not sagged a bit.  Two, Dynamotion Fit.  Although the Rider 13 carried the said Technology, the New Rider 14 boasts of a better fit.  My first impression again when I tried the 14 is that the side walls of the shoe are a bit higher that it almost touches my anklebone and I experienced some pain in the upper part of my feet.  I also find the 14 too heavy compared to the 13 and the slight weight difference can really matter during long distance run.  I really got disappointed with the 14.  On the other hand,  I love the bold colors of the 14 but sad to say, style and colors are the least factors one must consider in getting a running shoe.  Comfort and fit tops the list.  Well so much for the Rider 14 and I can't wait for the Rider 15 next year.  Sorry Mizuno, I have to skip on the 14s and might just settle for the 13s.  If the blue and gun metal black model is still available.

Running and Hemorrhoids

As a running enthusiast for almost 2 years now and also suffering from case 1 of hems, I have been doing research about the connections between the two.  Although I have not read any material that would connect between running and getting hems, many runners already with hems have shared their experiences.

About a year ago, I joined a 10 kilometer running event without any warm up runs for about a month. And at the end of my 10 km run, my external hems acted up, got irritated and swelled.  But that is not always the case.  There were also numerous instances that my hems didn't get irritated and swelled.  The last time I ran (about 3 weeks ago), my hems got irritated, got painful but didn't mind it and still continued running to complete my 10 km standard run.  Aside from running, I also lifted weights, do push ups on a regular basis.  I surmise that these physical exercises aggravated my hems and experienced pain  every time I went to the toilet and at one point, it bled.  So I decided to stop my regular and strenuous exercises to give my hems a break.  I also took Daflon 500 mg to ease the pain and stop the bleeding every time I go to the bathroom.  Daflon did the trick and gave me a relief from pain and bleeding after three days.  I stopped taking Daflon after 6 days (3 tablets or 1,500 mg 2 times a day for 2 days and on the 3rd day 1,000 mg, 2 times a day for 4 days.  For more than two weeks now, and after more than a week of not taking Daflon, my hems, I would say is manageable (very little or no pain at all) just by doing sitz bath and taking a lot of food rich in fiber.

However, the past two days, I am beginning to experience pain again even if I am regularly doing sitz bath, eating foods rich in fiber AND continue to refrain from running and lifting weights.  Now I am considering buying Venapro which claims to have the answer to my on and off hems attack.

Maybe next week I will try to run again to see a direct connection between running and aggravating hems (without lifting weights) to really establish a clear connection whether or not running is really bad for your hems.  My experience is not consistent enough to directly link running and aggravating one's hems.