The Connection Between Chronic Constipation and Piles

Chronic constipation and piles (haemorrhoids) are common gastrointestinal issues that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Understanding constipation haemorrhoids is essential for effective prevention and management. According to an Indian survey, nearly 22% of India's adult population suffers from constipation. 

Even though the problem is widespread, people do not openly acknowledge their problems or actively seek treatment for issues related to bowel movements. This can lead to an increased risk of several conditions, including piles, which may even require invasive medical treatment. 

This blog explores how chronic constipation can lead to piles, identifies the symptoms of each condition, and provides practical advice on preventive measures to maintain bowel health. It is crucial to ensure you maintain your bowel health as you age because it is one of the quality of life problems that’s very common in the ageing population. So, without active efforts to manage healthy gut and bowel health, you are more likely to be at risk of piles and other conditions.

What is Chronic Constipation?

Chronic constipation is defined as infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools that persist for several weeks or longer. It can result from various factors, including a low-fibre diet, inadequate fluid intake, lack of physical activity, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. Chronic constipation can lead to hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass, often causing discomfort and straining during bowel movements.

What are Piles (Hemorrhoids)?

Piles are enlarged veins which are located in the lower rectum and anus. They can form inside the rectum or externally under the skin around the anus. Haemorrhoids can cause symptoms such as itching, pain, swelling, and rectal bleeding. While they are not usually dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and sometimes require medical treatment.

How Chronic Constipation Leads to Piles

Chronic constipation and piles are closely linked. Chronic constipation can often lead to piles (haemorrhoids). When you're constipated, you have to push harder to pass stools, which puts extra pressure on the veins in your rectum and anus, causing them to swell and form piles. Additionally, constipation often results in hard, dry stools that can scratch and irritate the lining of your rectum and anus, leading to inflammation and haemorrhoids. 

People with constipation might spend extended periods sitting on the toilet, which increases pressure on the rectal veins and contributes to the formation of piles. Chronic constipation can also reduce blood flow in the rectal area, causing blood to pool in the veins, leading to swelling and haemorrhoids. Finally, constant constipation can lead to ongoing inflammation and damage to the tissues in your rectum, making the veins more likely to swell and develop into piles. 

To ensure you are safe from the condition, it is important that you can accurately differentiate chronic constipation and infrequent constipation. How do you do that? Let’s review the symptoms of chronic constipation to get a better understanding.

Symptoms of Chronic Constipation

• Infrequent Bowel Movements: Chronic constipation is characterised by infrequent bowel movements, typically fewer than three per week. This infrequency can lead to a build-up of waste in the intestines, causing discomfort and potential complications.
  Hard, Dry Stools: Individuals with chronic constipation often pass hard and dry stools. These stools can be difficult to expel and may lead to additional straining and discomfort.
• Straining while having a bowel movement: This is a common sign of chronic constipation. The difficulty in passing stools requires significant effort, which can cause pain and exacerbate the condition.
• A Feeling of Incomplete Evacuation: Even after a bowel movement, individuals with chronic constipation may feel as though their bowel is not completely emptied. This sensation can be frustrating and uncomfortable, leading to a sense of persistent discomfort.
• Abdominal Discomfort or Bloating: Chronic constipation often results in abdominal discomfort or bloating. The build-up of stool in the intestines can cause the abdomen to feel full, swollen, or even painful.

Symptoms of Piles

• Itching or Irritation in the Anal Area: Piles, or haemorrhoids, can cause significant itching or irritation around the anus. This symptom occurs because the blood vessels in the anal area become inflamed and swollen.
• Pain or Discomfort, Especially During Bowel Movements: Individuals with piles may experience pain or discomfort, particularly during bowel movements. The swollen blood vessels can be sensitive and may cause a sharp or throbbing pain.
• Swelling Around the Anus: Swelling is a common symptom of piles. The blood vessels in the anal region become enlarged and swollen, leading to noticeable lumps or swelling around the anus.
• Bleeding During Bowel Movements: A common symptom of piles is bleeding during bowel movements. The blood is typically bright red and may be seen on toilet paper, in the toilet bowl, or on the surface of the stool.
• A Lump around the Anus: Piles may result in a lump developing near the anus. This lump may be sensitive or painful to the touch and can vary in size. In some cases, the lump may prolapse or protrude outside the anus, which can be particularly uncomfortable and may require medical attention.

It is important that you monitor the symptoms of both chronic constipation and piles closely and get medical help if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks. With timely treatment, it is possible to manage the condition in its early stages. There are also several preventative measures you can take to ensure your risk of chronic constipation and piles can be lowered.

Preventive Measures

Preventing chronic constipation and piles involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits that promote regular bowel movements and reduce strain on the rectal veins. Preventing piles with regular bowel movements is essential for maintaining digestive health. 

 Here are some effective preventive measures:

• To maintain digestive health and ensure regular bowel movements, consider adding fibre-rich foods like chia seeds, flaxseeds, and psyllium husk to your diet. These sources not only help soften stools but also provide essential nutrients and promote a balanced gut microbiome. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep stools soft and easier to pass. 
• Maintain a consistent schedule by using the bathroom at the same time every day, and always respond to the urge to go. Use a footstool to elevate your feet while sitting on the toilet. This can help reduce straining by aligning your body in a more natural position for bowel movements.
• Avoid sitting for extended periods, especially on the toilet. If you experience difficulty passing stools, take a break and try again later.
• Consider using over-the-counter stool softeners or fibre supplements if dietary changes are insufficient to relieve constipation.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you have severe or ongoing symptoms of constipation or piles, it is important to see a doctor. They can find out the cause and suggest treatments such as lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery if needed. In most cases, dietary and lifestyle changes are enough to alleviate the symptoms of piles and chronic constipation. If these treatments are not very successful, you can get the best piles treatment in Delhi with laser surgery. It is quick and minimally invasive, and it can help you treat the problem permanently in a short period of time.

Conclusion

Chronic constipation and piles are closely connected, with the former significantly increasing the risk of the latter. By understanding this relationship and adopting preventive measures, you can reduce the likelihood of developing these conditions and maintain better digestive health. Remember to stay hydrated, eat a high-fibre diet, exercise regularly, and seek medical help if necessary. 

These steps will help you manage your bowel health effectively and improve your overall quality of life. To learn more about the management steps you can take for chronic constipation that will reduce your risk of piles, check out MASSH. We specialise in treatment options for chronic constipation, ranging from intravenous treatments to functional therapeutic treatment that focuses on a holistic improvement of your diet and lifestyle. 

Check out our website to learn more about our treatment options, or visit us today to consult with our specialists.