It is said that hemorrhoids are caused by the inflammation of the blood vessels or veins in the anal area. Inflammation happens when there is added pressure in these blood vessels found in the anal area. There are several reasons why inflammation happens. One of the common reasons which cause hemorrhoids is the straining of anus due to constipation or severe diarrhea. Constipation or difficulty in defecating is often linked with improper diet.

This happens when there is a lack of fiber intake like fruits, whole grains, vegetables and other fiber rich food. Lack of water or fluids can also cause this, as well as stress and obesity. Diarrhea or having loose bowel movement happens when you eat food which the digestive system rejects. It also happens due to medications or allergic reactions to some food.

Corollary to this is the exercise of bad habits in using the toilet. Improper position or improper seating on the toilet bowl is a bad habit. It is said that squatting position is the best way to release stools and it prevents added pressure on the blood vessels in the anal area.

Another bad habit is to hurry in releasing your stool. When you rush to finish defecating, the veins are pressured and the anus is strained. The act of wiping off the anal area too hard after releasing your stool can likewise cause hemorrhoids. Such act can also worsen the condition if you already have hemorrhoids. Wash your anus gently, preferably with baby wipes or mild soap and water.

Pregnancy and child delivery is one of the causes of such condition. The growing fetus inside the maternal womb increases its weight as the due date arrives. This then creates an added pressure on the blood vessels. This is likewise true during the child’s delivery as there is heightened pressure in pushing the baby out of the maternal womb, which also affects the blood vessels in the anus. Some women get afflicted with the condition only on their first delivery while others suffer from hemorrhoids even after the succeeding child delivery. In this case, the hemorrhoids heal within a span of few weeks after child delivery.

Other causes of hemorrhoids include being obese or overweight, and heavy lifting. Obesity or staying overweight creates that extra weight in the abdominal region and pelvic area which will heighten the pressure in the blood vessels and affect the anal region. People living sedentarily such as those whose jobs require them to work seated for the most part of the day, have great chances of having this ailment.

Likewise, people who lift heavy things such as those whose jobs require them to lift heavy objects like construction workers are also prone to have such ailment. Lifting heavy objects creates heightened pressure in the veins located in the anal region. People who are engaged in strenuous exercises or physical activities are also prone to this.

It is helpful for you to know the above mentioned causes or triggers of hemorrhoids. This will enable you to know how to treat the condition properly and to know the appropriate medical treatment. By knowing the causes of hemorrhoids, you can avoid some activities which trigger them. Except in the case of pregnancy, avoiding improper diet and improper toilet habits generally helps prevent you from having hemorrhoids or prevent its aggravation if you already have one.