The key facts

  • Spending long periods in the toilet with a phone or reading can contribute to blood pooling in the pelvic veins
  • Lack of fiber and a predominance of processed foods slow peristalsis and lead to constipation
  • Stress can also disrupt the rhythm of bowel emptying

Habits that affect the risk

The habit of spending long periods in the toilet while distracted by a phone or reading can contribute to blood pooling in the pelvic veins and enlargement of hemorrhoidal nodes. This was told to Moskva 24 by surgeon-coloproctologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Boris Soltanov, reports Gazeta.Ru.

Who is at risk

According to the doctor, the risk is linked not only to age: people who sit or stand for long periods and move little may be prone to the problem. Diet also affects the condition of the intestines — a lack of fiber and a predominance of heavily processed foods can slow peristalsis and contribute to constipation, whereas fiber helps maintain regular bowel movements. Soltanov added that stress can also affect the gastrointestinal tract: emotional tension sometimes disrupts peristalsis and the usual rhythm of bowel emptying.

Prevalence of the disease

“Hemorrhoids are one of the most common diseases of humankind,” the expert noted. In his assessment, it is impossible to identify a single risk group: such problems can arise in people with different lifestyles. Earlier, as Gazeta.Ru notes, a doctor explained the causes of bowel problems after acute respiratory viral infections.