Americans love to sit. In fact, roughly a quarter of Americans report sitting for more than eight hours every day at work, at home, when socializing, and of course, when traveling in a car or other vehicle.
While too much sitting can take a negative toll on your health, when you do indulge, you certainly want to be comfortable. And if sitting causes discomfort, you want to know the reason why.
As a leading colorectal specialist, Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, knows there are lots of issues that can cause pain or discomfort when sitting. In this post, he reviews some of the most common (and not-so-common) potential causes.
Hemorrhoids happen when veins in or near your rectum or anus become swollen and inflamed. Obesity, chronic constipation, a low-fiber diet, and spending prolonged periods sitting or standing can all increase your risk of hemorrhoids, and so can pregnancy.
Because of their location, many hemorrhoids cause pain when sitting, thanks to the extra pressure applied to the area. You might also have symptoms like itching or burning, pain during bowel movements, or bright red blood left on your tissue after wiping.
Topical products and dietary and lifestyle changes may help with more mild hemorrhoids. When conservative treatments don’t work, Dr. Tarlowe recommends minimally invasive procedures to shrink or remove the hemorrhoid.
Anal fissures are tiny tears that form in the skin surrounding your anus. Chronic constipation or passing a large or dry stool are common causes. Like hemorrhoids, anal fissures tend to cause more pain when pressure is applied, including the pressure caused by sitting.
Sitz baths, topical creams, and dietary changes can help reduce pain and promote healing. Medications can help by relieving pain and relaxing tight muscles that contribute to your symptoms.
An anal fistula is an abnormal passage or tunnel that connects the interior of the anus with your skin. Fistulas form when an anal gland is clogged or blocked, allowing bacteria to build up and cause infection. The tunnel forms as the infected gland expands, eventually breaking through your skin.
Sitting can definitely worsen fistula-related pain due to increased pressure on the area combined with the effects of the infection. While antibiotics can help destroy bacteria causing the infection, a fistula typically needs a minimally invasive procedure to close the opening and allow healing.
Most people think of STIs affecting the genital area, but many infections affect the anal region, too, including herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. These STIs can cause sores and internal inflammation leading to discomfort when you sit down. Anal warts are another type of STI that can cause pain, but typically only when the warts are very large or become irritated.
STIs require prompt medical attention to prevent complications and avoid spreading infections to others. Most STIs can be treated with antibiotics or managed with other therapies.
Pilonidal cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form at the very base of your spine, near or in the buttock cleft. Pilonidal cysts can cause discomfort on their own, but that pain can intensify if the cyst becomes infected, creating a pilonidal abscess.
Pilonidal cysts can’t be treated with antibiotics. Instead, they need to be drained and cleaned (and sometimes completely removed) during a simple, outpatient procedure.
Sometimes, painful symptoms aren’t caused by a problem with your rectum or anus, or even your buttock region. Coccygodynia is pain associated with a tailbone (coccyx) injury, and it can also be caused by prolonged sitting. Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause muscle spasms or prolapse, issues that can also lead to pain. Even strained or overused muscles can cause discomfort when you sit down.
If it hurts to sit, have your symptoms evaluated to determine what’s causing the pain. Delaying care can cause your symptoms to worsen or lead to serious complications in some instances.
To find out what’s causing your pain and what we can do to help, call 954-210-7127 or request an appointment online with Dr. Tarlowe in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
