Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the lining of your rectum and on the surface of your anus. The perennial question of what causes hemorrhoids is somewhat more complex than you may imagine, as several factors can play a part

Many of the most often-mentioned – sitting, straining, and so on – circle around a single root cause: pressure. The more pressure these vessels must endure, the more likely they are to become swollen and irritated over time.

Which brings us to this important tip about avoiding hemorrhoids in your daily life. Anything you do that requires “bearing down,” even when you’re far from the bathroom, can accelerate the creation of hemorrhoids:

You may think it’s harmless to pick up one end of the couch while you’re moving, but it could cause you to bear down too hard. That increases pressure in the rectum, causing the veins (called the hemorrhoidal plexus) to swell like a balloon…

What’s the answer? You could try lifting more carefully, reducing the strain on your pelvis and lower back. Or you could call a friend to help. Either way, the key is to reduce pressure in all forms, and find better ways to be active without undue stress on your body.

For more hemorrhoid tips, treatment, and care, contact the hemorrhoid experts at the Proctology Institute today.