Those who suffer from hemorrhoids are well aware of how painful and irritating they can be. If you are suffering from hemorrhoids in Los Angeles, then it is important to know that hemorrhoids are a potentially serious matter. You should talk to a physician about your condition. Don’t let embarrassment get in the way of relief.
Until you can schedule an appointment with a colon and rectal specialist (also known as a proctologist), here are some common factors that contribute to the worsening of hemorrhoid symptoms:
1. Constipation – This is an important cause of hemorrhoids. Constipation contributes to an unhealthy amount of pressure on the rectal area which causes veins to swell. Over time, the constant pressure and swelling can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.
2. Age – As the body ages, muscles tend to lose their strength and people tend to become more sedentary. This lack of movement can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.
More than half of the population will suffer from symptoms of hemorrhoids at some point in their lives and most of these people will be over the age of 50. Give yourself a better chance of avoiding hemorrhoids by staying active and leading a healthy lifestyle.
3. Prolonged sitting – It’s hard to avoid sitting for long periods of time, especially if you have an office job. Unfortunately, prolonged sitting increases your chances of developing hemorrhoids. You can reduce your chances of getting hemorrhoids by taking a few minutes each hour to stand and stretch in the office.
Another solution is to bring a small cushion to sit on at work to decrease the amount of pressure on the rectum from sitting all day.
4. Pregnancy – Pregnancy greatly increases the amount of pressure put on the veins returning blood from the rectum and unfortunately, is a major cause of hemorrhoids. Make sure to stretch as much as possible in order to fight off your chance of developing hemorrhoids. In bed lying on your left side will reduce help keep your baby’s head off of the major abdominal vein that returns blood flow from your lower extremities and rectum.
5. Heavy Lifting – Many people have professions that require heavy lifting and moving, and over time the constant strain causes hemorrhoids to develop. Although it’s hard for some to avoid such work conditions, there are always preventative measures to take to lessen the chance of getting hemorrhoids.
Living an overall healthy lifestyle is the best way to decrease your chances of developing hemorrhoids. This means exercising daily and eating the right foods. Eating healthy is just one aspect of living a healthy lifestyle but it’s definitely a good start. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Try to avoid straining or putting excessive pressure on your back and rectal area. This means taking the time to stretch and stand at work, avoiding heavy lifting and sitting for long periods of time on the toilet. Remember, any extra straining is likely to increase your chance of developing hemorrhoids.