What causes hemorrhoids?
The exact cause of haemorrhoids is unclear, but they're associated with increased pressure in the blood vessels in and around your anus. This pressure can cause the blood vessels in your back passage to become swollen and inflamed. Many cases are thought to be caused by too much straining on the toilet, due to prolonged constipation – this is often due to a lack of fibre in a person's diet. Chronic (long-term) diarrhoea can also make you more vulnerable to getting haemorrhoids. Other factors that might increase your risk of developing haemorrhoids include: being overweight or obese age – as you get older, your body's supporting tissues get weaker, increasing your risk of haemorrhoids being pregnant – which can place increased pressure on your pelvic blood vessels, causing them to enlarge (read more about common pregnancy problems) having a family history of haemorrhoids regularly lifting heavy objects a persistent cough or repeated vomiting sitting down for long periods of time