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.
You can have two versions of hemorrhoids. Like previously mentioned, the internal veins can swell and form what are known as internal hemorrhoids. Since they are inside the body, you can't feel or see them unless they are severe. The other kind of hemorrhoids, external, can also enlarge. These protrude outside of the anus and thus are seen and 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 hemorrhoid pain is worse than the morning sickness infamously associated with pregnancy.
Some other hemorrhoid causes include:
- Sitting for too long without getting up to stand/walk periodically
- Standing up for too long without sitting down periodically
- 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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