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Health

What diseases provoke hemorrhoids?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Who would have thought that the cause of hemorrhoids could be diseases of internal organs. These are the diseases that provoke blood stagnation in the veins of the pelvis or veins located in the rectum. What are other causes of hemorrhoids associated with diseases of internal organs?

What are symptomatic hemorrhoids?

Symptomatic hemorrhoids are diseases that develop with the participation of other diseases, most often of internal organs. Hemorrhoids disappear as soon as the underlying disease is cured. Therefore, doctors who accept such a patient should first pay attention to the underlying disease, and then eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

What diseases increase the risk of hemorrhoids?

In addition to stagnation of blood in the veins, the risk of developing hemorrhoids can be caused by the position of the uterus, which changes to an incorrect position. Tumors located in the pelvic organs, as well as inflammation of the reproductive organs, can also be the cause. They lead to the hemorrhoidal nodes increasing in size because the swollen veins compress them.

If a person also strains a lot during defecation or urination, this can also lead to hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids especially often bother men under these conditions, since their urethra narrows when straining, this can be combined with prostate adenoma.

Cirrhosis

This dangerous disease can also be the cause of hemorrhoids. Since cirrhosis of the liver disrupts the blood flow that comes to it from the digestive tract, the venous walls of the rectal veins are under increased pressure. Because the blood that goes through the body begins to circulate through bypasses, through collaterals, the location of which is near the rectum. And from this pressure, the walls of the veins can become thinner.

Rectal bleeding may occur. Since the veins located near the rectum are forced to constantly expand due to the load, hemorrhoids appear in them. They can be very large, painful, people call them hemorrhoidal bumps.

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Are hemorrhoids a tumor or not?

There is a completely wrong opinion that hemorrhoids are a tumor. But this is not true: a tumor and hemorrhoids are completely different things. Sometimes hemorrhoids can occur due to tumors that are located in the rectum. But this disease itself is not a tumor. Hemorrhoidal nodes are just swelling of veins that are filled with blood. Therefore, if you have hemorrhoids, if you are afraid that you have a tumor, you need to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the whole body.

In case of hemorrhoids, it is important to change your lifestyle: eat right, do some physical exercise, and normalize the process of defecation.

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Crohn's disease and hemorrhoids

Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the small intestine. Crohn's disease usually develops in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can also affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. Therefore, hemorrhoids often develop with this disease. The inflammation extends deep into the mucous membrane of the affected organ. The inflammation can cause pain and often cleans the intestines, which leads to diarrhea. And diarrhea irritates the tissues of the anus, causing pain and straining during bowel movements, which can also lead to hemorrhoids.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a general name for conditions that cause inflammation in the intestines. Crohn's disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and another type of IBD called ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the outer layer of the lining of the colon. Crohn's disease affects men and women equally and often runs in families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of IBD, most often a brother or sister, but sometimes a parent or child. Crohn's disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.

Antibiotics for Crohn's disease are used to stop bacterial growth in the small intestine caused by strictures, fistulas, or before surgery. For this common problem, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.

Diarrhea and abdominal cramping often improve when treatment relieves inflammation, but additional treatment may be necessary. Several antidiarrheal agents may be used, including diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine. Patients who are dehydrated from diarrhea and experience hemorrhoids in the process should drink more fluids to restore electrolyte balance.

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Celiac disease and hemorrhoids

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that damages the small intestine and prevents the body from absorbing nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease are intolerant to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found primarily in foods, but can also be found in everyday products such as medications, vitamins, and lip balms. Because celiac disease primarily affects the health of the digestive tract, it can cause hemorrhoids in people with weak veins.

When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying the villi, the tiny, finger-like projections that line the small intestine. These villi normally trap nutrients from food absorbed through the small intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Without properly positioned, healthy villi, a person will eventually become malnourished, which will affect their health.

Celiac disease is a disease of malabsorption of nutrients that are not absorbed properly and cause an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Celiac disease is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Celiac disease is a genetic disorder, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease occurs or becomes active in the first days after surgery, during pregnancy, after childbirth, a viral infection, or severe emotional stress.

What are the symptoms of celiac disease when hemorrhoids occur?

Symptoms of celiac disease vary from person to person. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system or in other parts of the body. Digestive symptoms are more common in infants and young children and may include

  • bloating and pain
  • chronic diarrhea
  • vomit
  • constipation
  • pale colored, foul smelling or greasy stools
  • weight loss
  • haemorrhoids

Irritability is another common symptom in children. Malabsorption of nutrients at an age when nutrition is critical for normal growth and development can lead to other problems such as failure to pass stool in children with stunted or short stature, delayed puberty, and dental defects in the enamel of permanent teeth.

Cardiovascular diseases and hemorrhoids

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) involves damage to or blockage of blood vessels near the heart, arteries, and peripheral veins. Peripheral arteries and veins carry blood to the muscles of the arms and legs, the abdominal surface, and the anal area. Peripheral vascular disease can also affect the arteries leading to the head. The main symptoms of peripheral vascular disease can include blood clots, swelling (inflammation), or narrowing and blockage of the vessels.

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Hemorrhoids and varicose veins

Hemorrhoids and varicose veins are common conditions caused by blood pooling in the veins and not returning to the heart for proper processing, usually due to weakness in the vein valves, as well as obstruction. Constipation and pregnancy cause varicose veins, but obesity and physical inactivity, chronic use of laxatives, and prolonged standing are also risk factors.

Veins become "lumpy" and visible externally in the anus, and pain and itching occur. Rectal internal and external bleeding also often occurs.

Arterial Disease Statistics

It is estimated that 50 percent of adults suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. Pain from hemorrhoids often occurs during pregnancy (but usually disappears after delivery) and as a result of a cold. Symptoms include swollen veins around the anus, itching and pain, and bleeding. The veins may remain inside the anus or protrude from it.

Arterial disease can lead to arterial block, aortic aneurysm, Buerger's disease. Venous disease can lead to blood clots, pulmonary embolism, phlebitis, or varicose veins.

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What causes clogged arteries?

Peripheral vascular disease can result from a condition known as atherosclerosis (blockages and plaques inside the arteries). These are made up of cholesterol, fats, calcium and a material called fibrin.

When enough plaque builds up in arteries, those arteries become clogged and then blood flow either slows or stops. Slow blood flow can lead to "ischemia," which means the body's cells don't get enough oxygen.

While clogged coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart) can lead to a heart attack and clogged carotid arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the head) can lead to a stroke, clogged peripheral arteries in the lower body cause leg cramps and pain.

The risk factors for atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease are the same as those for atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all believed by doctors to contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. Patients may feel pain in the calves, thighs, or buttocks, depending on where the blood flow is blocked. The severity of the pain is usually an indication of how severe the blockage is.

Alternative Treatment for Hemorrhoids

Hot baths and compresses applied to the anal area can help relieve pain. Keep the anal area clean, rinsed with hot water after bowel movements. Naturopathy - sitz baths - or hot and cold - are recommended for hemorrhoids and related conditions. Ice packs can also help relieve discomfort. Sitting in water for five to ten minutes is recommended to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms.

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Diet and nutrition

Follow a diet to reduce constipation and ease of bowel movements. Drink plenty of water. Eat a large spoon of flaxseed with water once a day (not food).

Daily supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, and lecithin may help with varicose veins. Increasing dietary fiber (bran, oats, cereals, bread, flax/linseed, peas, beans), fluid intake, and exercise may also help prevent constipation and reduce hemorrhoids. Raw sugar is used to help with varicose veins, as well as apricots, cherries, rose hips, blackberries, and buckwheat.

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Homeopathy

Herbal remedies for hemorrhoids include comfrey, horse chestnut and witch hazel ointments. Witch hazel is best for stopping bleeding. An infusion of yarrow herb can have a beneficial effect on blood vessels. It is also good to use as a compress.

Consult a qualified physician/physician for:

Aromatherapy, essential oils such as cypress, juniper, peppermint or chamomile, either applied directly to the water or mixed into a hot bath, can help ease discomfort.

Homeopathy for hemorrhoids is prescribed on a case-by-case basis, but witch hazel, sulfur, and horse chestnut may be recommended. Witch hazel, peony, and ointments or suppositories are often used for acute hemorrhoids. Witch hazel is especially good for bleeding hemorrhoids.

Massage for varicose veins also helps. Lightly massage your legs towards your heart, this can help reduce hemorrhoid symptoms. Massage can also help improve blood circulation.

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