Due in large part to how common they are, hemorrhoids are the source of some myths. From causes to medical concerns, there are all kinds of crazy stories about hemorrhoids that belie their simple nature and cause all kinds of needless worry when it comes to seeking treatment, which isn’t necessarily surgery. When it comes to hemorrhoids, the following three myths seem to come up regularly:
1. Hemorrhoids are always pregnancy or age-related
While pregnant women and older people do face an increased risk of developing hemorrhoids, the simple fact is, any person of any age can get hemorrhoids and they are quite common. In fact, by the age of 50 about half of the population (male and female) will suffer from a bout of hemorrhoids. One of the major risk factors, which affects many people in professions like trucking or air traffic control, is sitting for long periods of time.
2. Hemorrhoids can lead to cancer
Hemorrhoids are swollen or bulging veins caused by pressure in the lower rectal area. While they are certainly a source of discomfort and perhaps pain, they do not cause cancer. This is not to say you should just ignore the problem, hemorrhoids can often become a serious issue when left untreated. There are several non-surgical painless treatments such as Infrared Coagulation, (a technique that uses short bursts of warm light to shrink the hemorrhoid), that will resolve all but the most severe cases of hemorrhoids with little to no recovery time.
3. Eating spicy foods
Spicy foods are a common scapegoat for hemorrhoids, but this is nothing more than a myth. You can, barring any discomfort as a result, continue to enjoy your favorite spicy foods in spite of hemorrhoids knowing they are not the cause. This is not to say some dietary changes may not be in order. People with a low-fiber diet are often more likely to suffer from hemorrhoids due to chronic constipation.
If you’re suffering with hemorrhoids, please do not put off consulting your doctor or a specialist at Premier Hemorrhoid Treatment Center. Call (865) 588-9952 today for an appointment. Hemorrhoids are simply swollen veins, but any medical condition left untreated can progress into a much larger issue; It isn’t worth suffering the discomfort and pain to put off treatment.