Sitting for long hours at the office? Doctors say you could get Piles

With more people spending long hours sitting at desks doctors are witnessing a rise in cases of piles among working professionals Indian health experts say sedentary lifestyles poor dietary habits inadequate hydration and lack of physical activity are contributing to this growing health concernPiles hemorrhoids are often considered a problem affecting older adults Unfortunately experts are now increasingly diagnosing this unpleasant condition among working professionalsLong hours of sitting limited movement unhealthy eating habits and ignoring symptoms of discomfort while sitting painless rectal bleeding itching and irritation down there can raise the chances of piles Experts stress that simple lifestyle changes and timely medical attention can improve quality of lifePiles is becoming common among individuals with 95 deskbased jobsDr Kiran Kumar Jadhav General Surgeon Apollo Spectra Pune Said ldquoMany professionals spend eight to ten hours or more sitting at their desks every day Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the veins around the rectal area which can contribute to the development of piles This risk becomes even greater when combined with low water intake lack of fibre in the diet constipation and absence of exercise There has been nearly a 60 per cent increase in piles cases among the working population Every month around 6 out of 10 office workers aged 3045 report symptoms such as rectal discomfort itching pain bleeding during bowel movements swelling or a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation If left untreated piles can lead to persistent pain recurrent bleeding anemia and difficulties in daily activitiesrdquoDr Jadhav further added ldquoPiles can often be prevented through simple lifestyle modifications It is necessary to have a fibrerich diet that includes fruits vegetables whole grains and salads Avoid junk spicy and canned foods Drinking adequate water throughout the day helps prevent constipation and reduces strain during bowel movements Taking short movement breaks every hour avoiding prolonged sitting exercising regularly and responding promptly to the urge to defecate are equally important Early consultation can help identify the severity of the condition and prevent complications like prolapsed haemorrhoids and constant rectal bleeding Today advanced minimally invasive procedures are available that allow effective treatment with faster recovery and minimal discomfortrdquoDr Shahid Parvez consultant Laparoscopic and General Surgeon AIMS Hospital Dombivli says ldquoMany working professionals ignore symptoms such as occasional bleeding or discomfort due to embarrassment or the misconception that piles are a minor issue There has been around a 30 per cent rise in piles cases among officegoers due to prolonged sitting lack of hydration and exercise and poor eating habits In a month there are approximately 3 out of 10 working professionals aged between 30 and 45 years of age who visit me with hemorrhoids but often postpone seeking medical help and struggle in silence Awareness about the impact of prolonged sitting on rectal health is essential in todays workplace environment Make sure to keep moving eat a balanced diet inclusive of fibre stay hydrated manage constipation and prevent pilesrdquo