Hemorrhoids or piles refer to swollen veins in the lower end of the rectum and anus. When the blood vessels’ walls are stretched, they become irritated. Though hemorrhoids are painful and unpleasant, they can be prevented and cured easily. However, hemorrhoids usually aggravate over time. What increases the risk of hemorrhoids? Read below to find out.

1. Consuming a low-fiber diet
To maintain proper digestive health, dietary fiber is essential. Unfortunately, many people do not consume adequate fiber. Consumption of a low-fiber diet, that is, less than twenty-five to thirty grams a day, can aggravate your risk of constipation. When your diet is rich in chips, cheese, ice cream, fast food, processed foods, frozen meals, snack foods, and red meat, your risk of constipation is high. To lower your risk of hemorrhoids, you need to increase your intake of insoluble fiber. This can help in restoring and maintaining normal bowel function.

2. Persistent diarrhea or constipation
Both diarrhea and constipation can aggravate the risk of hemorrhoids. These disorders put a massive strain on the veins in the rectum and lower bowel. This can, over time, develop into hemorrhoids.

3. Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another prevalent risk factors for developing hemorrhoids. Thus, all pregnant women must be cautious about their health. As the baby grows within the pelvis, the pressure on the blood vessels inside the pelvis increases. This can result in the enlargement of the rectal and anal blood vessels. Consequently, it might lead to hemorrhoids. However, hemorrhoids usually disappear after childbirth.  

4. Lack of regular activity
Insufficient physical activity or the absence of any physical activity can increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids. When you do not work out, you lose muscle tone, including the anorectal muscles. It directly hampers gastrointestinal motility that can lead to alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea.

5. Genetics
Another risk factor for hemorrhoids is genetics. A prime example of this is the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), an inherited disorder. In EDS, there is a dearth of collagen, which can cause damage to the pelvic floor tissues. A common sign of EDS is hemorrhoids. It can sometimes portend a more grave complication called the rectal prolapse, wherein the bowel might fall entirely or partially out of the body. Another prevalently noted disorder is the absence of valves inside the hemorrhoidal veins. This can cause massive swelling and vascular pressure.

6. Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is an auto-immune disorder that causes gastrointestinal tract inflammation. Over time, Crohn’s disease might further aggravate and increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids.

7. Liver and heart disease
Lastly, there is a greater susceptibility to developing hemorrhoids in people with heart or liver disease.

Armed with this knowledge, ensure that you take necessary precautions.