One of the many unpleasant side effects that accompany pregnancy is pregnancy induced hemorrhoids. They come about because the body is undergoing several physiological and biochemical changes many of which contribute to weakening of the very tissues from which hemorrhoids form. So what are these changes?
During pregnancy, increased blood volume leads to increased blood pressure. This increased pressure forces the expansion of the walls of the blood veins, including those that make up the anal cushions, those structures from which hemorrhoids form. Although blood vessels are designed to expand and contract with the ebb and flow of blood pressure, they are not designed to expand and stay so for extended periods. Such a situation leads to a weakening of the tissue.
As the venous structures in the anal cushions remain under pressure, they expand and place pressure on the surrounding connective tissue and muscle, responsible for maintaining the anal cushions in place. When these tissues are damaged, the anal cushions can no longer maintain their proper positioning in the anal canal causing them to prolapse into the anal canal. At this point they are termed internal hemorrhoids.
The production of the hormone progesterone increases during pregnancy. One of the side effects of this increased production is a relaxing of vein walls, which makes them even more susceptible to expansion than they would normally be. This increased flexibility also allows for increased damage over time. Additionally, increased progesterone tends to slow the digestive process. When this occurs, bowel movements become more irregular, leading to issues of constipation, a prime factor associated with hemorrhoidal development.
As the uterus expands and the baby grows, more and more pressure is placed on the pelvic veins that are responsible for draining blood from the lower extremities, including the anal area. One common factor known in hemorrhoid development is sustained resting pressure as measured by the anal sphincter muscle. Whether the association is a result of or a cause of hemorrhoids is unknown.
During labor, straining places large amounts of pressure on the veins servicing the anal canal, including those feeding the hemorrhoidal tissue. With increased pressure, comes greater expansion, more pain and more damage to the already weakened tissue.
Episiotomy, a medical procedure that is sometimes used to aid in childbirth is thought to create post-pregnancy pain that contributes to bowel movement issues. These issues directly impact existing hemorrhoids negatively, delaying recovery from them.
These changes are the main factors that are thought to contribute to hemorrhoid development in pregnant women. Other factors common to internal hemorrhoids not formed as a result of pregnancy may also contribute such as a low fiber diet, failure to eat breakfast, lack of exercise, low fluid intake, poor nutrition, and sitting on a toilet for extended periods to name a few.
Having to go through pregnancy is tough enough, but having to also deal with hemorrhoids makes it worse. Fortunately, pregnancy induced hemorrhoids tend to be a temporary condition since the conditions that encouraged their formation were mostly directly related to the physiological and biochemical changes that the body underwent. Because anything you consume also mixes with the blood of the growing baby, few if any of the available herbal remedies should ever be used during pregnancy or during any period which includes breast feeding.
If post-pregnancy, your present with bleeding or hemorrhoids that present with bluish or purplish colors, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible. Unlike in typical hemorrhoids, post-pregnancy hemorrhoids that show with these symptoms can be symptomatic of something more serious. The bleeding, for instance, could be from something totally unrelated to the hemorrhoids.
If you are no longer pregnant, nor breast feeding and your hemorrhoids still haven't cleared up, there are many herbal remedies and programs available to treat hemorrhoids naturally and at home. Educating yourself about the condition and these options is the best thing to do in order to find a permanent solution to hemorrhoids.
Quality information about hemorrhoids that is accurate, detailed and comprehensive is difficult to find. When considering surgical or natural treatment options that are either temporary or permanent, education is the key. Visit Hemorrhoid Treatment Answers for a one stop resource for both questions and comprehensive solutions.
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.
No comments:
Post a Comment