What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids uniquely afflict human beings. One theory suggests that the erect posture, which humans adopted, led to increased pressure over the hemorrhoidal veins, that caused human beings to pay a price --hemorrhoids-- for their upright position.

Heredity may play an important role as certain families appear to be predisposed to developing hemorrhoids. In such cases, hemorrhoids appear at an early age, presumably the result of some structural weakness in the walls of the veins.
 

PREDISPOSING FACTORS

STRAINING
Straining during defecation, secondary to constipation and/or chronic diarrhea, leads to increased pressure in the hemorrhoidal veins. A patient with constipation engages in prolonged and repeated straining to pass constipated hard stools. Prolonged and repeated pressure weakens the hemorrhoidal veins, and they dilate permanently to become hemorrhoids.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE URGE
The colon absorbs water from the digested wastes, and the longer the waste stays in the colon, the more water is removed, leading to dry, hard stools, which in turn leads to excessive straining.

INCREASED ABDOMINAL PRESSURE
Increased abdominal pressure, caused by strenuous exercise, manual labor, heavy lifting while holding the breath, excessive sneezing or chronic coughing is a factor in the development of hemorrhoids.

PREGNANCY
Women often develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Fortunately, these hemorrhoids are usually temporary and regress after the baby is born. However, repeated pregnancies may leave extensive hemorrhoids behind.

The elderly, people with sedentary lifestyles, pregnant women and young, physically active men involved in strenuous exercise, such as weightlifting, that requires the holding of the breath, are at high risk for developing hemorrhoids.