The Most Common Causes Of Hemorrhoids

Though most individuals do not discuss them, hemorrhoids are a surprisingly common medical condition. Almost seventy-five percent of all adults will end up with hemorrhoids at some point. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in the rectum and anus become inflamed, resulting in itching and discomfort, particularly when sitting or having bowel movements. Many individuals with hemorrhoids also experience painless bleeding. Hemorrhoids happen whenever there is too much pressure put on the veins around the anus, so a few different issues can cause them. These are the top causes of hemorrhoids.

A Low-Fiber Diet

Fiber is a type of indigestible material frequently found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans. Even though fiber is not digestible, it plays an important role in digestion. Fiber absorbs water and helps create soft stool, and also pushes stool through the intestines as the rest of the food digests. Without enough fiber in their diet, individuals are very likely to develop hemorrhoids. The main reason a low-fiber diet causes hemorrhoids is because it tends to result in chronic constipation. All of the time spent straining on the toilet damages the blood vessels around the anus, resulting in hemorrhoids. An individual on a low fiber diet also tends to have much firmer stool than usual. This harder stool puts a lot of pressure on the lower part of the intestinal system as it passes through, and the excess pressure can make hemorrhoids form.

Get ready for the next cause of hemorrhoids now.

Obesity

Obesity causes hemorrhoids through multiple mechanisms. The first way it causes hemorrhoids is by putting more strain on the entire body. Having all the extra weight on one's frame puts a lot of pressure on veins. As veins are repeatedly stretched, they gradually lose elasticity and start having blood pool in them. The inflammation often worsens over time unless an individual begins to lose weight. Obese individuals are also more likely to get hemorrhoids because they tend to be sedentary and eat a poor diet, which can lead to poor muscle tone and constipation that further puts pressure on the veins in the area.

Keep reading to learn about another cause of hemorrhoids.