What Causes Hemorrhoids

In order to minimize the chances of having hemorrhoids develop, it is necessary to know what causes hemorrhoids. Some of the most common causes of hemorrhoids include straining while having bowel movements, sitting for long periods of time, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, obesity and pregnancy.

Straining while having bowel movements, one of the main hemorrhoids causes, can lead to the blood vessels in the anus and the surrounding tissues to enlarge. When blood vessels are enlarged and strain is put on them, they tend to burst. If you eat a poor diet which includes a lot of processed foods, you will not be getting enough fiber which can lead to constipation. When you are constipated, it is very difficult to have a bowel movement which typically leads to you straining to do so.

Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time inevitably lead to straining and is another common cause of hemorrhoids. It is not uncommon today for people to read while seated on the toilet which adds to the probability of getting hemorrhoids as it can put undue pressure on the veins in and around the anus. It is best to sit down on the toilet only long enough to urinate and/or to defecate.  If you have a desk job wherein you are required to sit for long periods of time, you could end up with hemorrhoids so it is a good idea to take frequent breaks during the work day which includes walking.

Since one of the common hemorrhoid causes is having frequent diarrhea, it is helpful to alter your diet by incorporating fiber-rich foods. The same holds true for chronic constipation. Eating more fiber while increasing your water intake can prevent you from becoming constipated which in turn will lessen the chances of you developing hemorrhoids. Fiber-rich foods are also excellent hemorrhoids treatment method.

Considering the fact that being overweight puts you at risk for developing hemorrhoids, it is wise to drop that added weight through diet and exercise. Obesity is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids so maintaining a healthy weight for body type and height is recommended.

When women are pregnant, they add a lot of body weight in a relatively short period of time. This often leads to added pressure being applied to the anal region and to the chances of becoming constipated. Therefore, pregnant women should see to it that they exercise and eat a well-balanced diet which includes plenty of leafy green vegetables, beans and other foods rich in fibers.

Heredity can play a factor with hemorrhoids. Some people are simply predisposed to this type of condition. Partaking in regular exercise and learning to relax the sphincter muscles can help. The regular lifting of heavy objects is another of the more common causes of hemorrhoids. It is therefore advisable to have help while lifting heavy objects or to stop lifting heavy things altogether.

A less common cause of hemorrhoids is anal sex. Regardless of how much lubricant is used, the anus is simply not made for sexual pleasure. If anal sex is the suspected hemorrhoid cause, it is recommended that this type of sexual activity cease. Keep in mind the fact that hemorrhoids can become worse, not to mention more painful, just by wiping the area with toilet paper. This can give you an idea as to how participating in anal sex can make the condition much worse.

There are other medical conditions which have similar symptoms to one of more symptoms of hemorrhoids. These include inflammatory bowel diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, polyps and cancers. This is why it is very important to seek medical attention so that the exact hemorrhoids causes can be identified.  Seeing your doctor so that an examination can be done will help to confirm if you have hemorrhoids or if you have something more serious.