When the holidays of November and December bring hectic cross-country (or even international!) travel plans, your daily schedules are rarely consistent.
Although the lack of routine may not bother you, your bodily functions and their natural rhythms may not adapt to the changes very well. Irregular sleep schedules, dietary changes, emotional stress, and shifts in physical activity can all put you at risk for constipation and subsequent hemorrhoids.
Feeling backed up and dealing with the pain and itchiness of hemorrhoids can really bring down the holiday cheer and precious time spent with faraway friends and family.
To prevent hemorrhoids from affecting your travels and festive gatherings, Betsy Clemens, MD, and the rest of our team at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Town and Country, Missouri, are highlighting practical tips and tricks for optimal digestive health in this month’s blog.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that develop around your anus and rectum. They can either be located under the skin outside your anus (external hemorrhoids) or inside the lining of your rectum (internal hemorrhoids).
While hemorrhoids can sometimes present without symptoms, telltale signs that you have one include pain, itching, and bleeding around your anus.
Hemorrhoids are incredibly common, and most people will have a hemorrhoid at some point in their lives. However, you’re more likely to develop one if you:
Not eating enough fiber can also trigger hemorrhoids.
When you travel, regardless of your destination or mode of transportation, your body’s natural rhythms are disrupted.
Your body’s functions, including digestion, thrive off an internal clock, called your circadian rhythm. When you eat, sleep, and use the bathroom at unusual times, it can cause a blockage in your digestion, triggering constipation and then hemorrhoids.
Even though you won’t necessarily be able to control all the changes in schedule and routine, there are a few things that you can do to keep things moving in your gut.
Dehydration is a significant contributor to constipation and hemorrhoids because water helps keep digestion moving. Increasing your intake of water and other hydrating fluids helps your body eliminate waste more effectively.
Travelling and being in different places can make it difficult to focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods. You’re more likely to decrease your intake of fiber and increase your consumption of highly processed foods.
To mitigate some of these effects, consider taking fiber supplements to promote better digestion.
Sitting for prolonged periods and being more sedentary slows down digestion, increasing the risk of constipation and hemorrhoids. Even if you can’t maintain a consistent workout routine, going for frequent walks can help you stay on track internally.
If you develop severe hemorrhoids during your travels, don’t hesitate to see our team for relief. We can recommend some at-home treatments or administer expert care.
Schedule an appointment for hemorrhoid treatment from our team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.
