Hemorrhoids are one of those problems that are very common but that are not talked about very often. The fact is that not many people enjoy talking about problems with this delicate area of the anatomy? There are lots of people that are comfortable to talk about problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, but you would be hard pressed to find the same number that are comfortable talking about hemorrhoids.

Potential Causes of Hemorrhoids

There are thought to be many reasons why individuals get hemorrhoids; however, at the moment it is believed that there is not a definitive single cause that will lead an individual to get hemorrhoids. What there does appear to be are factors that make it likelier for an individual to get hemorrhoids. The more factors or potential causes that an individual exhibits, potentially the more likely they are to get hemorrhoids.

1. Poor diet: Some people have the belief that third world or developing countries do not suffer from hemorrhoids as much, or in the same way, because they do not have the diet of processed foods that the western world has. One of the big problems is processed food, which tends to be high on preservatives, additives and all sorts of other things. These types of foods have been known to cause problems that can include things like constipation, diarrhea and a whole host of other issues related to the gut which can lead to hemorrhoids. Because of a poor diet, many in the western world also suffer from vitamin deficiencies, some of these vitamins that are missing are essential to help the body heal quickly and a slow healing body can add to the likelihood of hemorrhoids forming. The last thing to keep in mind is that a diet that is low in fiber can lead to problems such as constipation that, as mentioned earlier, can lead to someone being more prone to getting hemorrhoids.

2. Heavy lifting or Straining while having a bowel movement: The stress and strain of lifting heavy objects or the straining while you are going to the toilet can add to the pressure in the anorectal region, which in turn can be a cause of hemorrhoids.

3. Genetics: Some experts believe that the role of genetics in determining whether someone will suffer from hemorrhoids, is hugely underrated. Studies have show that a significant number of hemorrhoid sufferers, also have family members who suffer from the condition. However, this belief is not shared by all experts and some believe that it is the similarities in the environment and lifestyle of fellow family members that make them more likely to suffer with this condition, for example: If the person who does the cooking in a family suffers from hemorrhoids and they make mainly processed meals for the family and they live an inactive lifestyle, then it is probably likely that the family will suffer from hemorrhoids.

4. Pregnancy/childbirth: Studies show that pregnant women are more likely to have issues with hemorrhoids than the average women on the street. Perhaps the main reason for this is thought to be that the uterus receives added pressure during pregnancy. This is caused by the growing fetus and this adds additional pressure to the anorectal area which can lead to hemorrhoids. Added to that the stress and strain of the actual child birth itself and you can understand why hemorrhoids during in pregnancy is so common.