Thursday, January 22, 2009

Pregnancy and Hemorrhoids

By Heather-Jane Hunter

Hemorrhoids can sometimes be a very serious problem for pregnant women. They basically are abnormally inflamed veins located in the anal canal as well as around the anus. They can cause pain and bleeding in the anus, as well as a lot of discomfort while standing or sitting. Hemorrhoids and pregnancy are closely related. In fact, pregnancy is cited as one of the main causes of hemorrhoids.

Throughout pregnancy women can get hemorrhoids after becoming constipated. Constipation is one of the most common causes of hemorrhoids and women who are pregnant are at higher risk of becoming constipated.

The fact that blood pressure increases in pregnant women can also lead to hemorrhoids. Higher blood pressure and volume can cause veins to expand and stretch to a point where they become hemorrhoids.

Also during pregnancy, the progesterone hormone is secreted from the body that causes the walls of the veins to relax. It results in further swelling. The progesterone also causes the slowing down of intestinal tract that may result in extra straining, thereby causing constipation and hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy can be prevented. Some of the keys to prevention of hemorrhoids include not straining during bowel movement, exercising regularly (aim for 20 minutes per day), drinking plenty of water, and eating foods which are high in fiber. Foods such as fruit and vegetables are goods, as are cereals and beans. These foods help to soften stools and avoid constipation.

In the event that you are pregnant with hemorrhoids, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent them from worsening. Firstly, it is very important that you carefully and thoroughly clean the hemorrhoid after bowel movement. Using a damp tissue or cloth as an alternative to toilet paper will be softer and cause less aggravation. Take a sitz bath three or four times each day to sooth the hemorrhoid, this will help the healing and reduce pain.

Pharmacys and drugstores offer a wide range of creams and other topical treatments for hemorrhoids. Some work better than others so you should be very careful if you choose to try a cream. Some creams can cause a lot of pain due to side effects such as burning and skin irritations. Unfortunately most creams only temporarily treat the symptoms of hemorrhoids, not there underlying causes.

Hemorrhoids sometimes come as a result of the straining thats needed to push the baby out during labor. Hemorrhoids after childbirth are usually not a serious problem but it is recommended that some form of treatment plan is followed to avoid the hemorrhoid getting any worse.

Hemorrhoids during and after pregnancy can become a serious and painful problem if they are not treated immediately. Natural hemorrhoid treatments such as H Miracle and Venapro (see below for links) are recommended as they are both free from side effects. They also result in fast and effective pain relief as well as actually curing the hemorrhoid.

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