Hemorrhoid Causes: Controlled and Uncontrolled Risk Factors

Why do people suffer from hemorrhoids? What are the causes of hemorrhoids? Studies show that hemorrhoids are attributed to several main causes, including increased pressure on the rectum and anal veins, this occurs over time. That's why people in their 50s and older can experience manifestations of hemorrhoids more than anyone in their 20s.

[1], [2], [3]

What can be caused by hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids can be caused by digestive problems, such as diarrhea and constipation. Usually, people also have a poor diet, with very low fiber intake. Even obesity can have a significant impact on hemorrhoids and its development. Sometimes, if people pick up heavy objects, or play rough sports, they can develop the risk of having hemorrhoids. Pregnancy, hypertension, and other health conditions can be decisive factors in the occurrence and development of hemorrhoids.

What are the causes of hemorrhoids?

Doctors do not know why the hemorrhoid cones increase. There are several theories about the causes of hemorrhoids, including insufficient fiber intake, prolonged sitting in the toilet, and chronic stresses to produce defecation (constipation). None of these theories has strong experimental support. Pregnancy is the most common and cause of hemorrhoids, although, again, this cause is not clear. Tumors in the pelvis are also the cause of the expansion of the hemorrhoids area, when the veins are squeezed at the top in the direction from the anal canal.

Another theory suggests that the development of hemorrhoids is affected by hard stools, passing through the anal canal, he pulls the hemorrhoidal bumps down. Another theory suggests that with age or aggravating circumstances, the supporting tissues that are responsible for fixing the underlying muscles of the anal canal are destroyed and weaken. Accordingly, hemorrhoids lose their fixation and slide down into the anal canal.

Compression of muscles

Another physiological fact, which is known about the development of hemorrhoids, is that the pressure on the anal sphincter rises, because the muscles that surround the anal canal are weakening, hemorrhoids arise. The anal sphincter is the muscles that allow us to control the movements of the intestine, especially when defecating.

It is not known, however, whether this is preceded by an increased blood pressure to develop hemorrhoids or is the result of hemorrhoids. Perhaps during bowel movements, it is necessary to increase the compression force to force the stool to pass through the sphincter ring. Increasing the intensity of intestinal tension can aggravate the course of hemorrhoids and the appearance of cones in the anus.

[4], [5]

What are the other causes of hemorrhoids?

The exact cause of hemorrhoids is unknown, however, in the upright position of people at rest requires more pressure on the rectal veins, which sometimes leads to their convexity. Other factors that cause hemorrhoids include

• Aging
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Pregnancy
• Heredity
• Excessive stress during defecation
• Abnormal bowel function due to excessive use of laxatives and enemas
• Defecation for extended periods of time (eg, reading in the toilet)

Whatever the reason, with hemorrhoids the tissues supporting the vessels are stretched. As a result, the vessels expand, their walls become thin and bleed. If the tension and pressure continue, then the weakened tissues of the rectum come out.

More on the circumstances that cause hemorrhoids

Heredity - hemorrhoids can be a hereditary disease, especially if your family members have weak veins, which can lead to the development of hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Age - the main muscle of the anal canal weakens with age and collapses, loses its ability to keep the anus tight. As a result, hemorrhoidal tissue slides down into the anal canal, hemorrhoids develop.

Low fiber content in the menu - an unhealthy diet is indicated as a possible cause of hemorrhoids, also because such a diet can cause constipation. When you need to strain while defecating, you cause an increase in pressure on the rectum and anus, causing bloating and abdominal distension in these areas. Studies have shown that in less developed African countries, where a diet consists of a high level of food with fibers, cases of hemorrhoids are rare. Countries that in Western style profess a diet with fast food products, register more cases of hemorrhoids.

A lot of time spent on the toilet - did you notice that the modern toilet has become more comfortable, such that people would like to spend more time on it? Check the bathrooms of most people and you will see newspapers and magazines in the toilet! Sitting on the toilet, as on the throne, people can lead to unnecessary tension of the anus, adding pressure to the anal veins and dilating the blood vessels. This provokes hemorrhoids.

Anal sex - there are physicians who believe that anal sex, whether heterosexual or homosexual - is recorded among possible causes of hemorrhoids due to pressure on the rectum and anus. Recent studies have shown that homosexual men have more cases of hemorrhoids compared to heterosexual men.

Diarrhea and excessive use of laxatives and enemas - they are also considered possible causes of hemorrhoids, because they suggest an increase in pressure on the rectum and anal veins.

Pregnancy is also seen as a possible cause of hemorrhoids due to increased pressure on the rectum and anus caused by a growing baby.

Pelvic floor tumors - hemorrhoids may also increase due to tumors of the pelvic organs, which can provoke pressure on the veins that go from the anal canal.

Lack of mobility, hypodynamia - sitting or standing for long periods of time, a person can put pressure on the rectum and anus, increasing the possibility of hemorrhoids.

Causes of hemorrhoids that are difficult to control

[6], [7], [8]

Genetics

Among all the causes of hemorrhoids, genetic predisposition is the most difficult factor for control. Some people are born with weaker veins, the walls of their blood vessels are more sensitive to internal or external pressure. When the pressure around the anal blood vessels increases due to deformity and stiff stools, the veins become more and more, and this is an increased risk of blood clots in the vessel leading to the development of hemorrhoidal cones.

Obesity

Another major cause of hemorrhoids, difficult to control, is obesity. Overweight patients add a lot of excess weight to the circulatory system and this situation is aggravated every time a person gets up and even just goes for a walk. This extra burden of excess body weight causes excessive pressure on the anal area, especially when the person is sitting. Indeed, patients suffering from obesity, without knowing it themselves, can exacerbate the existing hemorrhoids because of prolonged sitting.

Pregnancy

A similar mechanism that causes difficulties in controlling hemorrhoids is the condition of pregnant women, when the body must cope with the additional burden, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy and extreme pressure during childbirth. As mentioned earlier, pregnancy as the cause of hemorrhoids is a trigger for him, and it is really difficult - to avoid hemorrhoids to women who are about to give birth.

Unsteady or chronic hemorrhoids can cause very unpleasant symptoms in pregnant women - severe pain, bleeding and itching or burning and a greater degree of discomfort, making pregnancy even more difficult.

Constipation

Constipation is often referred to as the main stimulating factor for hemorrhoids, but the truth is that it is an imbalance of digestion that is really difficult to control. People suffering from chronic constipation tend to get deformed during the evacuation of feces, and this provokes an increase in pressure on the rectum, straining the blood vessels.

On the other hand, laxatives used by patients to treat constipation can generate diarrhea, which in turn can lead to damage to the veins and swollen, painful hemorrhoids. Thus, for these patients the question is not how he will get hemorrhoids, but in what he can do to avoid it. And the answer is quite simple: change your diet and make a choice in favor of a healthier diet. If you want to get rid of pain and discomfort, take care of your health.

[9], [10], [11], [12]

What exacerbates hemorrhoids?

• Bad habits that touch the toilet, for example, an incorrect position on the toilet seat or wiping with too hard paper, which can also cause hemorrhoids.
• Loss of tissue elasticity associated with aging is a common cause of hemorrhoids in the elderly.
• In addition, these and other causes of hemorrhoids include anal sex with or without special lubricants
• Severe liver disease.

Emptying the bowels, physical and emotional stress and other factors can increase the risk of hemorrhoids or make an already existing condition with hemorrhoids worse. Some of these factors can be prevented with the help of a doctor.