It is probable that you may have spotted bright red blood while passing stools at some point in your life. Blame it on Haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, which are swollen blood vessels in or around the anus and rectum. Anyone at any age can be affected by piles. They are very common, with about 50% of people experiencing them at some time in their life.
It’s likely that extreme abdominal pressure causes the veins to swell and become susceptible to irritation. The pressure can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, straining on the toilet, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and holding your breath while straining to do physical labour.
Diet plays a pivotal role in causing – and preventing – haemorrhoids. People who consistently eat a high-fibre diet are less likely to get haemorrhoids, but those who prefer a diet high in processed foods are at greater risk of haemorrhoids. A low-fibre diet or inadequate fluid intake can cause constipation, which can contribute to haemorrhoids in two ways: it promotes straining on the toilet and it also aggravates the haemorrhoids by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.
Anal bleeding and pain of any sort is alarming and should be evaluated – it can indicate a life-threatening condition, such as bowel cancer. Haemorrhoids are the main cause of anal bleeding and are rarely dangerous, but a definite diagnosis from your doctor is essential.
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