Causes : Haemorrhoids are very common.
They are said to be more common in countries where the diet has
traditionally been more processed and low in fibre. The main contributory
causes are those things that cause us to raise the pressure in
the abdomen. This causes the blood vessels to swell and become
engorged.
It seems that the people most at risk of developing haemorrhoids
are those who have more causes for raised abdominal pressure,
such as:
Those chronically straining with constipation.
After or during pregnancy. Here, the baby may actually press on
the main blood vessel that returns blood to the heart (the vena
cava).
Overweight people.
People with heavy lifting jobs.
Diagnosis : Most episodes
of trouble from haemorrhoids come and go quite quickly. If simple
measures do not help or the problem is lasting, keeps returning
or worsening, then you should see your doctor, especially if you
have any other associated symptoms eg weight loss; change of bowel
habit; slime (mucus) in the motions; darker, changed blood mixed
in with the stools.
Your doctor will ask a few questions and is likely to examine you
and may want to feel inside the anus with a gloved finger. Sometimes
he will look inside with a metal instrument. This enables him or
her to confirm the diagnosis, and to rule out other, more serious
problems such as cancer.
Prevention : Haemorrhoids are very
common, and will occur anyway, but, as implied above, useful aspects
of prevention are:
Avoid becoming overweight, and lose weight if you are.
Eat a high fibre diet.
Exercise regularly.
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