Many people, somewhere around 39% of the population, will
suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in their lifetime. Most of these people
will have no idea why they got them. For a few, they may clear up and go away
on their own, but for those who seem to have chronic problems it’s important to
know how you got them in the first place.

See if any of these potential causes sound familiar to you.

Hemorrhoid Cause # 1: You sit down too much. Do you
have a job where you’re required to sit in an office chair all day? Or worse
yet, does a medical condition have you trapped on the couch all day? Sitting
for more than an hour at a time on a regular basis combined with other factors
like pregnancy or constipation can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.

Solution: Get off your bottom. Sounds easy, but for some people it’s hard to do. Try to stand and move around at least once a hour even if it means working standing up at your desk for a few minutes. For those who are confined, even the act of rolling over, if you’re unable to stand up, can relieve some of the pressure off of your bottom.

Hemorrhoid Cause #2: You eat too much junk food. If
you have a busy life like me you’re probably eating out of the vending machines
at work a lot or maybe you’re just a junk food junkie. A lack of raw natural
food in your diet can cause a hard stool, which may lead to constipation and
eventually, hemorrhoids.

Solution: Throw a few salads or vegetables into your diet
each week, and if you’re a snacker, try keeping some fiber rich snack bars in
your desk or at home to munch on. Even a small effort to eat more unprocessed
foods can make a difference.

Hemorrhoid Cause #3: Over the counter hemorrhoid
aids. Yes, some popular hemorrhoid treatments such as fiber supplements and
medicated ointments can actually make your hemorrhoid condition worse. The
fiber is processed and doesn’t really do you any good and the ointments can
actually further inflame the area.

Solution: Forget about these symptom treatments and start
looking for ways to treat the root of the problem. Many people after realizing
that these over the counter medications don’t work just resign themselves to
using soothing treatments like sitz baths as a permanent option. But they of
course won’t cure you, just treat the symptoms.

Fortunately there are natural treatments available; simple life style
changes you can make to eliminate your hemorrhoids for good. Look for my next
article to cover these.