Brace yourselves for ‘Brown Monday!’ Clinic warns of spike in haemorrhoids following festive overindulgence

Forget Blue Monday in January, it's 'Brown Monday' to look out for, with doctors warning of a spike in the number of haemorrhoids caused by Christmas gluttony.

Dr. Ross Perry, who specializes in haemorrhoids at London-based clinic Cosmedics, says he has seen a growing number of post-Christmas piles every year.

He warned that people who consume extra portions of meat, chocolate, cheese and drinks as part of the festive fun could be leaving themselves vulnerable to future gut problems.

This includes sitting on the toilet more, constipation, or flaring up dormant piles.

'Brown Friday' has already become a phenomenon in America, with overeating on Thanksgiving leading to a record number of plumbers being called to unclog toilets the next day.

Now Britain is preparing for its own 'Brown Monday', with a predicted increase in bowel problems after Christmas.

Dr. Perry says as many as 20 percent more people seek treatment for intestinal problems after overeating during the holidays, compared to other times of the year.

Britain's 'Brown Monday' appears to be getting worse, with around 30 per cent more clients seeking help for haemorrhoids at the clinic every year, Dr Perry warns.

Constipation, pushing too hard while pooping, heavy lifting and pregnancy are some of the causes of haemorrhoids, also called haemorrhoids, which take the form of lumps in and around the anus, according to the NHS.

But the festive period creates a 'perfect storm' for haemorrhoids to form, according to Dr Perry.

'We tend to eat heavier and fattier foods, and more of them at Christmas,' he says.

'We also tend to eat less fruit and vegetables and more alcohol, which causes more dehydration, which in turn increases the whole cycle of constipation.'

While it's a condition that affects many people year-round, it can be worsened by overeating, leading to a change in bowel habits, says Dr. Perry.

Bright red blood after pooping, an itchy anus and lumps around your anus are signs that you may be suffering from hemorrhoids.

For some, the lumps are temporary and improve after a few days once their diet and bowel movements return to normal, but Dr. Perry warns that things could get worse for some people.

However, there are things you can do to treat them, such as using cream to soothe itching and pain, and even surgery to have the piles cut away, the NHS says.

But prevention is the best cure, and Dr. Perry says the key to preventing hemorrhoids in the first place is having a balanced diet.

'If you're overeating a lot of cake, meat and other hearty foods, you can ideally balance this with more water and fiber in fruit and vegetables,' says Dr Perry.

“We tend to eat more savory foods, at the expense of vegetables, and that's actually the problem,” he adds.