A new study has revealed that insomnia, prolonged sleep, and daytime napping are independent risk factors for hemorrhoids—swollen, painful veins around the rectum that affect more than half of people over the age of 50.
The study, published in the journal Neuropsychiatric Research, was conducted by researchers from Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing. Rather than relying on patient questionnaires—which tend to be unreliable—the scientists used a genetic method known as Mendelian randomization to analyze data from large-scale databases such as the UK Biobank and the Finnish health database FinnGen.
They were able to account for factors such as body weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption to ensure the analysis was robust. The dataset included over 218,000 cases of hemorrhoids and 725,000 control cases.
The data showed that individuals with a genetic predisposition to insomnia had a 23.3% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. Prolonged sleep was associated with a 16.2% increased risk, while daytime napping was linked to a 14.1% increase. Surprisingly, the researchers found no evidence that hemorrhoids cause sleep problems, suggesting that sleep disturbances may not merely be a symptom but a contributing factor to the condition’s development.
The study authors suggest that sleep issues may increase the risk of hemorrhoids by disrupting normal digestion and bowel function. Poor or irregular sleep can slow down peristalsis, leading to constipation and straining—two primary factors that contribute to hemorrhoids. Lack of sleep can also exacerbate inflammation in the body, potentially increasing the likelihood of swelling in the veins surrounding the rectum. Furthermore, if a person sleeps a lot during the day or sleeps for extended periods, they may be less physically active, which can also contribute to constipation and rectal pressure.
Researchers have suggested that measures to improve sleep hygiene—such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and optimizing the sleep environment—could help treat or prevent hemorrhoids. Dietary changes to support bowel health and regularity, along with regular physical exercise, may also be beneficial.
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