Causes of Hemorrhoids in Young Adults, Is Spicy Food to Blame?

Hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, are a condition where lumps appear around the anus and rectum. Generally, the risk of this condition increases with age, making it more common in middle-aged adults. However, in some cases, hemorrhoids can also occur at a young age. To understand more about this, let’s explore the causes of hemorrhoids in young people in the following article.

Common Causes of Hemorrhoids in Young Adults
Hemorrhoids occur when there is excessive pressure in the anus and rectum, causing the veins in the area to swell and form lumps. These lumps can be located inside the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or around the anal opening (external hemorrhoids).

In younger individuals, hemorrhoids are mostly triggered by habits that increase such pressure. Some common habits that can raise the risk of hemorrhoids in young people include:

1. Straining too hard during bowel movements
   Excessive straining when passing stool increases pressure on the blood vessels in the anal area.
2. Frequently holding in bowel movements
   Delaying bowel movements causes stool to harden and accumulate in the large intestine, leading to stronger straining when eventually trying to pass it. This can raise the risk of hemorrhoids.
3. Sitting for long periods
   Prolonged sitting, especially on hard surfaces, can put pressure on the blood vessels around the anus and cause swelling. This is even worse when sitting for a long time on the toilet, as the position lowers the rectum, allowing gravity to pool blood in the rectal veins.
4. Low fiber intake
   Fast food and processed foods are typically low in fiber, which can lead to constipation. Insufficient fiber slows bowel movements, allowing stool to remain longer in the colon. This makes the stool harder, more difficult to pass, and increases the risk of hemorrhoids.
5. Lifting heavy weights
   Lifting heavy objects increases intra-abdominal pressure, which can push the veins in the anus and rectum to swell—especially if done repeatedly.
6. Obesity and pregnancy
   Excess body weight increases pressure on the blood vessels in the rectal and anal area. Hormonal changes and pressure from the uterus during pregnancy can also cause or worsen hemorrhoids.

So, does spicy food cause hemorrhoids?
Spicy food, including chili sauce, does not directly cause hemorrhoids but can worsen existing symptoms. Eating spicy food may irritate the digestive tract and intensify burning or pain during bowel movements, especially if the person already has hemorrhoids.

How to Prevent Hemorrhoids
Steps you can take to prevent hemorrhoids include:

• Eating a high-fiber diet from fruits, vegetables, and legumes
• Drinking enough water daily
• Avoiding prolonged sitting, especially on the toilet
• Limiting frequent heavy lifting

These are the various causes of hemorrhoids in young people that you need to know. If you have any health concerns regarding hemorrhoids, schedule a consultation with a specialist surgeon at Tzu Chi Hospital.

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Tony Yulianto, Sp.B, FICS, FISCP.