Very few pregnant women escape from the development of enlarged or swollen hemorrhoids. Inflammation of the hemorrhoidal cushions during pregnancy is caused by the pressure placed on the rectal and lower body area by the increasing size of the uterus. This condition often manifests in the last three months of pregnancy, although it is not uncommon to hear of women developing the swollen lumps in the rectal area just a few months into the pregnancy. There is no need to fret, though, because the swelling often goes back down and the hemorrhoidal cushions return to its original structure a few months after giving birth. However, there are some known cases wherein the lumps stayed where they were after delivery.
For your understanding, note that a hemorrhoid is a cushion-like mass of soft tissue inside the anal canal that plays a big role in bowel movement. It aids in keeping the stool inside when an individual is not ready to expel it yet, and the cushions also aid in letting the smooth passage of stool out of the body. And because the anus, anal canal, and the rectum are surrounded by a wide network of blood vessels connected not only to veins but also to major arteries, the hemorrhoidal cushions are also filled with blood vessels. These blood vessels can sometimes get ruptured and could cause bleeding in the anal area, often during the excretion of stool and more common among individuals suffering from internal hemorrhoids. There have been very little documented cases of rectal bleeding in people suffering from external swelling of the hemorrhoid cushions.
Hemorrhoids can be prevented and can also be treated and cured. Staying away from food that cause stool to harden, as well as cause constipation, is one thing that can be done both to treat and to prevent the swelling. Constipation ranks high in causing the hemorrhoid cushions to swell up. You might also want to turn your appetite towards food known to have high contents of dietary fiber. It is a well-known fact that dietary fibers aid not only in the proper digestion of food, but also in aiding the rectum by making stool softer and thereby easier to excrete. Another good practice is to keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water as this would also aid digestion and keep stool soft. In the case of severe hemorrhoidal swelling, you may need to check with your physician for topical medication that can be applied to the anal area, or get yourself scheduled for surgery.
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