What causes Hemorrhoids?

Although there is no one sepcific cause of hemorohids there are a number of contributing factors to be aware of. Therories as to why they enlarge include, a lack of fiberous food intake, straining to have bowel movements, and prolonged sitting.

Hemorrhoids & Pregnancy?

There are a few reasons that pregnancy can be a contributing factor to hemorrhoids . The growing uterus puts pressure on the veins on the right side of the body where blood flows upwards from lower limbs. This slows blood flow in that area and in turn increases pressure on the veins. This is a contributing factor in both hemorhoids and varicose veins.

Constipation causing Hemorrhoids.

Constipation is nother common problem during pregnancy, that can lead to hemorrhoids or aggrivate the condition. Excess straining while having a difficult bowel movement leads to hemorrhoids. To compound this problem during pregnancy a womans body produces more of a hormone called progesterone, This hormone causes the walls of veins to relax and swell. This adds to the problem of constipation by increasing pressure on the intestinal tract.

Formation of Hemorrhoids.

The Dentate Line, located in the rectum, is a mucocutaneous junction (dividing mucus membrane from a skin-like surface). Hemorrhoids that originate above the dentate line are internal hemorrhoids, even if they enlarge further down the rectum, below the dentate line. Hemorrhoids that originate below the dentate line are external hemorrhoids.

The dentate line is also significant because there are no nerve ending above the line. This fact explains is why Internal hemorrhoids are painless when compared to external hemorrhoids.

Severity of Hemorrhoids

For convenience in describing the severity of internal hemorrhoids, many physicians use a grading system:

• First-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that bleed but do not prolapse.
• Second-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and retract on their own (with or without bleeding).
• Third-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse but must be pushed back in by a finger.
• Fourth-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and cannot be pushed back in. Fourth-degree hemorrhoids also include hemorrhoids that are thrombosed (containing blood clots) or that pull much of the lining of the rectum through the anus.