It’s one of the most embarrassing things to talk to your physician about: hemorrhoids. Most people do not want to go to their doctor to discuss hemorrhoids or the different hemorrhoid treatment options that they have. They suffer in silence instead, hurting every time they have a bowel movement or every time they try to sit down. There are tons of different treatment options that you can use when you have hemorrhoids, and most of them are non-invasive treatments, but people are so concerned about speaking with their doctor about the condition, due to embarrassment, that they simply don’t ask what they can do and try to treat themselves. Before you can treat yourself, it is a good idea to learn what causes hemorrhoids.
The Cause of Hemorrhoids
Contrary to popular belief, hemorrhoids are not caused due to you not being clean enough in the toilet. Even those people who make sure that they are spotless before they leave the bathroom can get hemorrhoids. Unfortunately there are a number of different things that can contribute to you getting hemorrhoids, making it difficult to figure out how to avoid getting them as you don’t know the cause.
One common contributing factor to hemorrhoids is genetic predisposition. You may know that your uncle Walter gave you his eye brows and that you got your mother’s beautiful smile, but did you know that you could get hemorrhoids due to your relatives’ genetics? If you have a predisposition to the condition, generally due to weak rectal vein walls or weak rectal valves, you are much more likely to need hemorrhoid treatment than the average person. There is, unfortunately, not much you can do about being predisposed to hemorrhoids through your genetic structure.
There are other causes of hemorrhoids, however, that you can control, making it easier to prevent getting the condition multiple times. Straining during bowel movements is the most common cause of hemorrhoids. When you strain during a bowel movement, the blood vessels fill up, causing the tissue around the anus to swell. Strain too much or too long, usually over a minute of time, and you’ll find that you have hemorrhoids, likely external ones.
Other conditions that can cause you to need to find hemorrhoids treatment options are constipation and diarrhea. Both of these conditions cause your digestive tract to change and can contribute to you getting hemorrhoids. Obesity as well is a main trigger for hemorrhoids, as is a vitamin deficiency.
While it can be embarrassing to speak with your doctor about having hemorrhoids, it is a good idea to talk to them as soon as possible, as there are many complications that can occur when hemorrhoids are left untreated.