Content
Hemorrhoids arise when there is an increase in 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 occurs when the person makes a lot of effort to evacuate, due to constipation, in a repetitive way, which promotes the stretching of the supporting tissues of this region. Thus, the effort to evacuate throughout life and pregnancy are the main factors of its development, but other possible causes are:
1. Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea is characterized by an increased number of bowel movements during the day, which last longer than 4 weeks, or by the consistency of liquid stools. Chronic diarrhea can favor the occurrence of bleeding, as it causes discomfort and irritation of the anal mucosa, favoring the dilation of the veins.
What to do: The secret is in regulating the intestine. People who have loose stools or diarrhea frequently need medical evaluation, because they can have diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, for example. Find out what are the causes and how to treat chronic diarrhea.
2. Obesity
Hemorrhoids are often the result of excessive weight and an increase in abdominal volume. In addition, the habits of the overweight person, such as a sedentary lifestyle and a high-fat diet, usually lead to decreased bowel movements, causing constipation and, consequently, difficulty in evacuating.
What to do: Reaching the ideal weight is the most recommended, and for that it is recommended to adapt the diet, exercise daily, being followed by an endocrinologist and a team of health professionals, and in some cases, it may be recommended a bariatric surgery, for example.
3. Do not evacuate when you feel like it
The lack of evacuation can make the stools more dry and hard, causing abdominal discomfort and, consequently, difficulty in evacuating, being characterized by constipation.
What to do: The most important tip is to evacuate, whenever you feel the need because this is the most suitable time to evacuate without having to make much effort.
4. Sitting for a long time on the toilet
It is not exactly the fact of sitting for a long time on the toilet that leads to the appearance of hemorrhoids, but the characteristics of the person. Normally, those who spend a lot of time sitting on the toilet need to make more effort to evacuate, favoring the appearance of hemorrhoids.
5. Make excessive effort
Lifting too much weight in the gym, or taking care of bedridden elderly people, for example, can lead to a significant increase in the pressure of the veins in the anal area, which can lead to the worsening of hemorrhoids.
What to do: Avoid lifting too much weight whenever possible, but whenever you have to lift weight, you must contract your perineum muscles at the same time.
6. Pregnancy
It is normal to have hemorrhoids in pregnancy and usually arise due to increased body weight, increased pressure on the pelvic area 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 evacuate whenever you feel the need. See how to cure hemorrhoids that arise in pregnancy.
7. Low fiber diet
Fibers are important for the proper functioning of the body, being responsible for regulating the intestine. Thus, a diet low in fiber can lead to decreased bowel movements and dry and hardened stools, which results in pain when evacuating.
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 high fiber foods.
8. Standing up
Another important factor is the fact that the person works long hours standing up, which favors vascular stasis in pre-disposed people.
What to do: A good solution for 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 the vagina, for example. Another indication is to exercise regularly, it is also important to practice Kegel exercises.
9. Old age
Hemorrhoids, although they can appear at any age, are more frequent after 45 years of age, because the tissues that support the rectum and anus veins weaken and stretch with aging. In addition, a person who has already had a hemorrhoidal crisis is more likely to have a new crisis.
10. Pepper-rich or spicy food
A diet rich in spicy foods or that is very spicy also favors the inflammation of hemorrhoids. In addition, 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
The treatment of hemorrhoids can be done with simple measures such as maintaining good bowel habits. For this it is recommended to increase the consumption of fibers and reduce consumption of pasta, increase water intake and evacuate whenever you feel the need.
However, some homemade measures can help, such as sitz baths with warm water. Some analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedies, as well as ointments for hemorrhoids, like Proctyl, for example, prescribed by the doctor. Here's how to cure hemorrhoids.
See also some options for home treatments: