Piles, commonly referred to as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the anus and rectum. The swollen blood vessels may form inside or outside the anus, causing symptoms such as pain, itching and bleeding. The treatment for piles includes home remedies, including corticosteroid cream, sitz baths and avoiding perfumed toilet tissue. Surgical treatments are available for hemorrhoids that do not respond to previous treatments. Lifestyle changes, such as a high-fiber diet and increased fluid intake, will help prevent piles.
Straining and Pressure
The most common reason for a hemorrhoid to occur is from straining during a bowel movement. The straining occurs mainly due to constipation. A diet low in fiber, or diets without adequate amounts of fluid intake increase the risk of constipation and thereby the risk of piles. Additional activities that increase the risk of developing piles due to straining, and increase pressure in the rectal area include standing up for a long time, spending too much time on the toilet without having a bowel movement, and diarrhea. Lifting heavy objects and obesity can also cause piles to occur. Individuals with cirrhosis of the liver have an increase in blood pressure in the vein leading to the liver. This increase in pressure may also cause additional pressure to the veins in the rectum and increases the risk of developing piles.
Pregnancy
Many pregnant women experience piles during the later stages of pregnancy. As the baby grows, increased pressure occurs on all the areas of the abdomen and the pelvis. The increased pressure can strain the blood vessels in the rectum and anus and cause the piles. Hormones secreted by a pregnant woman relax the walls of blood vessels, which increases the risk of swelling, according to the March of Dimes. Most often, pregnancy-induced hemorrhoids are temporary.
Anal Sex
Sexual excitement causes blood to rush to the pelvis. The increase in blood dilates the veins in the rectum and anus. Engaging in anal sex can cause irritation to the blood vessels. It can also cause an existing hemorrhoid to tear and bleed.
Age and Heredity
As people age, the tissue that supports the rectal veins begins to weaken and stretch out of position, according to MayoClinic.com. Individuals with a family history of hemorrhoids may develop piles themselves due to an inherited trait.
