Each of us has veins around the anus that tend to stretch under pressure, similar to varicose veins in the legs. They act like inflatable cushions, forming a tight seal that prevents stool from leaking from the rectum. One set of veins is inside the rectum (internal), and another is under the skin around the anus (external). Sometimes the veins overinflate and become haemorrhoids, also known as ‘piles’.
Humans develop haemorrhoids because of their upright posture, heredity, occupation, diet and cultural patterns. Conditions can be triggered by constipation, diarrhoea, pregnancy, infection of the anus and rectal cancer. As a rule, they do not cause pain or bleeding, but problems can occur when these veins become swollen. Increased pressure can come from straining at bowel movements and chronic constipation which pushes out veins, sitting too long on the toilet, or from other factors such as coughing or sneezing, lifting heavy objects, obesity or liver disease. They are a common problem among people who have to stand or sit for long periods such as bus, taxi and lorry drivers.
There appears to be a genetic susceptibility to haemorrhoids and varicose veins that makes these problems very common. About half of people under the age of fifty have haemorrhoids to some extent. Women may begin the development of haemorrhoids during pregnancy as the pressure of the foetus and hormonal changes cause haemorrhoidal veins to enlarge. These veins are also placed under severe pressure during the birth of the baby, but for most women such haemorrhoids are only temporary and disappear after delivery.
The only symptom you may notice of internal haemorrhoids is bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Sometimes, however, these internal veins stretch and may even fall down (prolapse) through the anus to the outside of the body (protruding haemorrhoids).
Lilly Smith writes about healthy food and healthy diet. She is currently writing for fruitsmoothierecipes.me.uk about food pyramid and healthy balanced diet.