Haemorrhoids (Piles)

What are the risk factors for haemorrhoids (piles)?

There are multiple factors resulting in a person having symptomatic haemorrhoids. These are generally associated with any condition that can cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, including:

• Persistent straining during bowel movement and chronic constipation or diarrhoea, or even prolonged sitting on the toilet. The extra pressure during prolonged straining causes these vessels to swell and enlarge.
• Inadequate fibre intake
• Obesity
• Genetics. The tendency to develop haemorrhoids may run in the family.
• Tumour. A less common factor is the existence of an intra-adbomonial or pelvic tumour.
• Pregnancy. A common cause for haemorrhoids for women is during pregnancy, where the growing foetus and labour exertion causes pressure on these blood vessels.