Hemorrhoids are a common problem among adults. They can be embarrassing to talk about, but it’s important to know the facts and what you can do if you experience them.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your anus or lower rectum. If they become large enough, they often cause pain and bleeding when you use the bathroom.
Hemorrhoids aren’t usually serious, but sometimes they can lead to other problems such as anal fissures and fistulas if not treated properly. In this article, we’ll discuss what is the main causes of hemorrhoids.
What is the main cause of hemorrhoids and why is Hemorrhoids common among adults?
Here are some reasons for this condition.
1) Straining during bowel movement
Straining can cause the veins in your anus to become engorged with blood, which leads to hemorrhoids. This usually happens when you’re constipated and have trouble passing hard stools or when you have diarrhea.
2) Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the uterus presses down on the vein that carries blood to the anus, which can lead to hemorrhoids. This occurs in about 20 percent of pregnant women.
3) Family history
A family history increases your risk for hemorrhoids because it suggests that you’re likely to have weak blood vessels.
4) Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea can cause hemorrhoids because it leads to repeated straining when having bowel movements.
5) Prolonged sitting or standing
Being on your feet for a long time increases the pressure in your veins, which can lead to hemorrhoids. This can happen if you sit on the toilet for long periods of time to pass bowel movements.
6) Obesity
Being obese makes you more likely to have hemorrhoids because it puts pressure on your veins, which can cause bleeding and other symptoms.
7) Lifestyle factors
Hemorrhoids associated with lifestyle factors are usually manageable if you change your behavior. Lifestyle factors that increase your risk for hemorrhoids include:
► Poor diet
► Smoking
► Not getting enough exercise
8) Medications
Medications that you take to lower blood pressure may also lead to increased pressure in the veins of your anus, which can cause hemorrhoids. This is especially true if you have high blood pressure and take the medications regularly.
9) Age
People older than 50 years of age are more likely to have hemorrhoids, especially if they’ve had them before. Problems with passing stools may become increasingly common as you get older.
10) Blood clot disorders
Having a blood clot disorder can lead to hemorrhoids because it causes your blood to become thick and sticky. This causes problems with the normal flow of blood through your veins, which can lead to hemorrhoids.
How do you prevent hemorrhoids?
1) Take fiber
Taking a daily dose of fiber such as whole-grain bread and cereals can help soften your stool and reduce straining during bowel movements. This can help prevent hemorrhoids from developing or getting worse.
2) Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking six to eight glasses of water each day should be enough, but you may need more if the weather is hot or if you’re exercising regularly. Drinking enough fluid keeps your stool soft and reduces constipation, which helps reduce the risk of straining and hemorrhoids.
3) Exercise regularly
Physical activity strengthens your muscles and improves blood flow, which helps prevent hemorrhoids from forming or getting worse. But you shouldn’t start regular exercise if you haven’t been active recently because it can also lead to constipation and cause existing hemorrhoids to get worse.
4) Avoid constipation
To prevent hemorrhoids from forming or getting worse, take steps to avoid constipation. For instance, eat fiber-rich foods and drink plenty of fluids.
5) Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight, try to lose weight because being obese increases your risk for hemorrhoids as well as other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
6) Use moist wipes when you have diarrhea
Moist wipes may help relieve itching and irritation if your hemorrhoids are related to diarrhea. Applying petroleum jelly or an ointment that contains an antiseptic can also provide relief. To protect yourself against infection, don’t use home remedies such as witch hazel because they may cause additional irritation when applied to your skin.
7) Visit your doctor for a checkup
It’s a good idea to visit a doctor if you have hemorrhoids because they may not always be caused by constipation, straining, or lifestyle factors. Your doctor can identify the type of hemorrhoids that you have and prescribe treatments that are right for you.
8) Use an anal ointment
Skincare products such as ointments, suppositories, and wipes can soothe your skin and reduce inflammation. But don’t use any product that contains a corticosteroid on your skin because it may cause thinning of the skin if used for too long.
10) Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time
To reduce your chance of getting new hemorrhoids or getting worse, you should try to limit your time sitting or standing. If possible, take a break from sitting down every hour and walk around. You can also lift up slightly by straightening your knees or pressing against the floor with the tips of your toes.
11) Use cold compresses to reduce pain or discomfort
Applying an ice pack to the affected area should help reduce swelling and make you more comfortable. Applying petroleum jelly before using the ice pack can protect your skin from an ice burn.
12) Lifestyle changes could be enough to treat hemorrhoids
Some types of hemorrhoids may not require treatment if they’re causing only minor symptoms such as mild itching and discomfort. These lifestyle changes can help prevent new hemorrhoids from forming or getting worse: Taking a daily dose of fiber such as whole-grain bread and cereals, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of pain from hemorrhoids?
If you have a mild pain from hemorrhoids, it may be possible to relieve the discomfort with over-the-counter medications such as suppositories and ointments. These products can soothe your skin while reducing inflammation. You should also try applying a cold pack to reduce swelling and make you more comfortable. The use of petroleum jelly before applying the ice pack can protect your skin from an ice burn.
Who is most likely to get hemorrhoids?
A number of factors may increase your chance of getting hemorrhoids. These include:
- Being overweight
- Straining during bowel movements
- Having a family history of hemorrhoids
- Sitting or standing for long periods of time
- If you’re age 50 or older, you’re more likely to develop hemorrhoids. That’s because the tissue that lines your anal canal becomes thinner as you age, increasing your risk for developing hemorrhoids.
Are hemorrhoids caused by stress?
Some people believe that stress may contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. But it hasn’t been proven that emotional factors such as anxiety, fear, and anger make hemorrhoids worse or more likely to recur after treatment.
How do hemorrhoids just go away?
In most cases, hemorrhoids will get better on their own within a few weeks as you’re able to pass stool without causing too much pressure or straining. In some cases, hemorrhoids that are caused by constipation may disappear after you’ve been able to have a bowel movement without needing to strain or push.
What is the best way to treat your hemorrhoids?
The answer depends on what type of hemorrhoid you have and how severe the symptoms are. Treatments include:
Medications applied directly to the affected area e.g. suppositories, ointments, and wipes, which can soothe your skin while reducing inflammation
Lifestyle changes such as taking a daily dose of fiber or drinking plenty of water
In some cases, plastic surgery may be necessary Commitment to lifestyle changes is key to preventing new hemorrhoids from recurring. Your doctor may recommend exercises called pelvic floor muscle training to help strengthen the muscles in your pelvis that help control bowel movements. By strengthening these muscles, you’re helping to prevent new hemorrhoids by decreasing pressure on your anus when you have a bowel movement.
How long do hemorrhoids last?
The length of time it takes for hemorrhoids to go away varies from case to case. If you have a few small hemorrhoids, they may improve within several weeks as long as you’re able to pass stool without causing too much pressure or straining. In some cases, an anal fissure (tear in the skin of your anus) may take up to three months to heal.
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