When veins swell in the rectum or anus, you’ll find yourself suffering from the ill effects of hemorrhoids. While this condition can be debilitating and painful, it’s rarely serious and can often be treated at home with over the counter remedies and wipes. However, it pays to know what causes hemorrhoids in the first place so that you might prevent them from forming at all.
Constipation and straining
Regular constipation and straining is one sure-fire way to ensure that one day in the future, you will require wipes. If you suffer from constipation, it’s best to find a treatment method for it that doesn’t include sitting on the toilet for prolonged periods of time. When you are sitting on the commode, try not to strain and instead let nature take its course.
Sitting on the toilet
Hemorrhoids are formed when excessive pressure is applied to the anus or rectum. There are a number of ways in which this can happen, one of them being prolonged sitting on the toilet. The hole in the toilet allows your anus and rectum to be positioned at a lower point than the rest of your body. This positioning allows blood to gravitate to the lowest point and pool there providing the perfect scenario for the formation of pesky hemorrhoids.
Not enough fiber
Constipation is a common cause of hemorrhoids, and a lack of fiber in your diet is a common cause of constipation. The Mayo Clinic recommends that adults ingest between 20 and 40 grams of fiber per day to regulate bowel movements, maintain the health of your bowels, achieve a healthy weight, and positively impact your health in many other ways. High fiber food choices include beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another common cause of hemorrhoids in adult females. As your baby grows inside of your uterus, the pressure on the surrounding veins increases. This pressure commonly causes hemorrhoids to form especially in the final few months of pregnancy. It’s best to maintain fiber intake and activity in the final trimester to prevent the formation of hemorrhoids in the first place.
Heavy lifting
Lifting loads that are too heavy for your body’s capacity can cause a few different types of health problems from hernias to hemorrhoids. Heavy lifting causes straining which in turn causes veins to swell which in turn makes the anus or rectum ripe for hemorrhoid formation. Lift with proper technique to avoid this situation and the need for any type of medical intervention.
Obesity
Scientists and medical professionals are learning more each day about the many ways that obesity wreaks havoc on the body. Just one of those ways is the development of hemorrhoids. Carrying around excess weight increases pressure on the veins of the body, much like in pregnancy.
About Robert Cutler, D.O.
Dr. Robert Cutler has performed duties as a specialist in the field of Proctology over 30 years as a practicing physician. Over this time, he has had great success integrating patient care from both an efficiency standpoint and as a practical approach to holistic and preventative medicine.
Dr. Cutler also performs FDA approved Clinical Trials and has had formal research training in Human Subject Assurance Training, OHRP/NIH and Good Clinical Practice for Investigators, Quintiles. Dr. Cutler continues to work on creating more affordable solutions to help people who are affected by ano-rectal problems as well as various chronic or acute skin issues.
