Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids And Possible Causes Of Piles

Hemorrhoids, sometimes colloquially referred to as piles, is the inflammation or swelling of the blood vessels around the anus or rectum. This swelling can lead to discomfort when sitting down or when on the toilet. It can also make the rectum itchy in milder cases. Although hemorrhoids are not a life threatening condition, some of the symptoms of hemorrhoids can be similar to other conditions that are potentially life threatening, such as colon or anal cancer. So it is important that you see a doctor if you have any of the classic symptoms of hemorrhoids as it might be something more serious or sinister.

With this said, here are some of the common symptoms of the condition:

• Bleeding when passing a bowel movement – this may be a bloody stool or blood around the anus or on toilet paper.

If the swollen blood vessels develop outside the rectum then :

• They can harden and become a tender lump which can be itchy or painful when sitting down.

Hemorrhoids can even hang out of the opening of the rectum, this can lead to :

• Itchiness and even pain when sitting down. The swelling can also get irritated by tight fitting clothing causing more discomfort. The body reacts to swelling by secreting mucus around the swollen tissue and this mucus can cause itchiness.

Common causes of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are an hereditary condition. So if family members have complained about piles then there is a good chance that you may also get it in the future.

Certain activities can increase the chances of getting hemorrhoids. These include :

• Sitting down for long periods of time over many years, especially on cold surfaces.
• Straining when on the toilet.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Pregnancy can cause the onset of piles.
• Being overweight or obese could also lead to the development of piles.

The types of food that you eat could also contribute to your hemorrhoid problems. Foods high in fiber promote normal stools and make bowel movements easier. Water also prevent the formation of hard stools that can aggravate swollen areas of the rectum. Foods that disrupt the circulatory system in the body could lead to piles (amongst many other things). So get plenty of :

• Fiber in your diet – fresh vegetables and whole grains.
• Plenty of water.

Avoid :

• Fatty foods.
• Sugary foods.
• Too much dairy produce.

Once again, if you have bleeding from the anus or rectum, you should first consult your doctor before treating them as symptoms of hemorrhoids. These symptoms could be due to piles but they  could also be caused by some other problem that needs to be accurately diagnosed and may require a different form of treatment.