Hemorrhoids appear when there is increased pressure in the blood vessels around the anus, which causes the veins to dilate and become swollen and inflamed, which can lead to pain and bleeding.
Generally, this problem happens when the person makes a lot of effort to evacuate, due to constipation, in a repetitive manner, which promotes stretching of the supporting tissues in this region. Thus, the effort to evacuate throughout life and pregnancy are the main factors in its development.
Learn about other causes of hemorrhoids in the following video:
Main causes of hemorrhoids
The main causes of hemorrhoids are:
1. Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea is characterized by an increased number of bowel movements during the day, lasting more than 10. Chronic diarrhea can favor the occurrence of hemorrhoids with bleeding from the anus. Excessive number of bowel movements can increase pressure in the anal muscles and favor the appearance of hemorrhoids.
What to do: The secret is to regulate your intestines. People who frequently experience loose stools or diarrhea need medical evaluation, as they may have illnesses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, for example. Find out what the causes and how to treat chronic diarrhea are.
2. Obesity
Hemorrhoids are often a consequence of excessive weight and increased abdominal volume. Furthermore, the habits of overweight people, such as a sedentary lifestyle and a diet rich in fat, usually lead to a decrease in bowel movements, causing constipation and, consequently, difficulty in evacuating.
What to do: Reaching the ideal weight is the most recommended, and for this it is recommended to adapt your diet, exercise daily, being monitored by an endocrinologist and a team of health professionals.
3. Not having a bowel movement when you feel like it
Lack of evacuation can make feces dry and hard, causing abdominal discomfort and, consequently, difficulty in evacuating, resulting in constipation.
What to do: The most important tip is to evacuate whenever you feel the need because this is the most appropriate time to evacuate without having to make much effort.
4. Sitting on the toilet for a long time
It is not exactly the fact of sitting on the toilet for a long time that leads to the appearance of hemorrhoids, but rather the characteristics of the person. Normally, those who sit on the toilet for a long time need to make more effort to evacuate, favoring the appearance of hemorrhoids.
5. Excessive effort
Lifting a lot of weight at work or at the gym, for example, can lead to a significant increase in pressure in the veins in the anal region, which can worsen hemorrhoids.
What to do: Avoid lifting too much weight whenever possible, but whenever you have to lift weight, you should contract your perineal muscles at the same time.
6. Pregnancy
It is normal to have hemorrhoids during pregnancy and they normally arise due to increased body weight, increased pressure on the pelvic region and constipation, which are very common physiological changes during pregnancy.
What to do: It is important to avoid constipation, walk, drink plenty of fluids and have a bowel movement whenever you feel the need. See how to cure hemorrhoids that appear during pregnancy.
7. Low fiber diet
Fiber is important for the proper functioning of the body, being responsible for regulating the intestine. Thus, a diet low in fiber can lead to reduced bowel movements and dry, hardened stools, which results in pain during bowel movements.
What to do: The solution to this is to increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, leafy vegetables and unpeeled fruits. Check out more examples of foods rich in fiber.
8. Work standing or sitting
Another important factor is working long hours standing or sitting, which favors the interruption of blood circulation in predisposed people.
What to do: A good solution in this case is to stretch every 2 hours. You can also perform exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, maintaining the contraction of the perineum when standing. To perform this contraction of the perineum, it is recommended to imagine that you are sucking something with your vagina or anus, for example. Another indication is to exercise regularly.
9. Old age
Hemorrhoids, although they can appear at any age, are more common after the age of 45, because the tissues that support the veins in the rectum and anus weaken and stretch with aging. Furthermore, a person who has already had a hemorrhoidal crisis has a greater chance of having a new crisis.
10. Food rich in pepper or very spicy
A diet rich in spicy or highly seasoned foods also favors the inflammation of hemorrhoids. Furthermore, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages also increases the risk of developing hemorrhoids.
What to do: Consume spicy or very spicy foods sporadically, and during the hemorrhoidal crisis do not consume these foods.
How to treat hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be treated with simple measures such as maintaining good bowel habits. To do this, it is recommended to increase fiber consumption and reduce pasta consumption, increase water intake and evacuate whenever you feel the need.
However, some home measures can help, such as sitz baths with warm water. Some analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as ointments for hemorrhoids based on polycresulene and cinchocaine, for example, prescribed by the doctor. See how to cure hemorrhoids.
