What Causes Hemorrhoids? 8 Common Hemorrhoid Causes To Avoid
July 30, 2008
Are you one of the 4 out of 5 Americans who suffer from the painful affliction of hemorrhoids? If you don’t know what hemorrhoids are or what causes them, hemorrhoids (which can also be referred to as piles) are veins located in the rectum that have become swollen. Sometimes they can be very painful.
Hemorrhoids start from 2 different areas. There are the internal veins which become swollen and form what is called internal hemorrhoids. As these are internal, they are not seen or felt, unless they become severe. External veins can also swell to develop into external hemorrhoids. These are seen around the outside of the anus and are felt quite often.
Doesn’t sound good, right? What causes this to happen? Well, the number one culprit of hemorrhoid causes seems to be constipation. If you constantly strain while having a bowel movement, you’re putting strain on your intestinal walls as well, which leads to the veins in those walls swelling and becoming hemorrhoids.
For women, pregnancy is common cause of hemorrhoids too. Constipation usually occurs during a pregnancy, so this situation, in addition to the increased pressure of the weight of the baby on the body, can easily bring about a hemorrhoid affliction. Some soon-to-be mothers discover that hemorrhoidal pain is worse than the morning sickness infamously associated with pregnancy.
Some other hemorrhoid causes include:
- Sitting for long periods of time, especially on the toilet
- Don’t stand up for too long without sitting down for a few minutes after every hour or so of standing
- Reading while going to the bathroom, which causes you to sit longer than you should
- Lack of fiber and water, which causes stool to be hard and difficult to pass
If you’re obese, you also have a higher risk of suffering from hemorrhoids. You could also have a history of hemorrhoids in your family that increases your risk.
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