Can Hemorrhoids Be Prevented Or Avoided
Just about everyone has hemorrhoids at some time. But some things may make you more likely to get them. People whose parents had hemorrhoids may be more likely to get them. Pregnant women often get hemorrhoids because of the strain from carrying the baby and from giving birth. Being very overweight or standing or lifting too much can make hemorrhoids worse.
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How Are Hemorrhoids Treated
There are a few ways to treat minor cases of hemorrhoids at home, including:
- Over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- Sitting in a tub of warm water, called a Sitz bath, several times a day to relieve pain
- Not straining during bowel movements
- Eating fiber-rich foods
- Taking a stool softener or fiber supplement
- Not sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
If home remedies dont help, there are minimally invasive procedures that can be performed in an outpatient setting:
- Rubber band ligation is a procedure where a doctor places a special rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The band cuts off the blood supply, causing the banded part of the hemorrhoid to shrivel and fall off. This usually takes about a week, and scar tissue that forms in the remaining part of the hemorrhoid usually causes the hemorrhoid to shrink.
- Sclerotherapy is when a doctor injects a solution, usually a salt solution, into an internal hemorrhoid. This causes scar tissue to form and cut off the blood supply, which can shrink the hemorrhoid.
- Coagulation therapy, or infrared photocoagulation, is when a doctor uses a tool that directs infrared light at an internal hemorrhoid. The heat caused by the infrared light causes scar tissue to form, cut off blood supply, and shrink the hemorrhoid.
- Electrocoagulation is a similar technique that uses an electrical current instead of an infrared light.
Why You Might Need It
You may have haemorrhoids because you have strained too hard when going to the toilet as a result of being constipated for a while. This could be because you don’t have enough fibre in your diet.
Being overweight, pregnant or over 45, or having a family history of piles, can raise your risk of having haemorrhoids, according to clinical sources.
Your doctor may have suggested surgery because changing your diet, over-the-counter treatments and GP-prescribed medication have failed to get rid of your piles.
If you decide to have your treatment with us, you will be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.
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How Long Is It Going To Take To Recover From A Hemorrhoid Procedure
It depends on the procedure you opt for, but you can generally expect to be recovering for 2-3 weeks. The goal of postoperative care is to minimize side effects and reduce the risk of complications. Doctors vary in their recommendations, so its important to follow your treating physicians suggestions.
Lets look at the three most popular treatments for hemorrhoid and their aftercare protocols:
When To Seek Medical Advice
See your GP if you have persistent or severe symptoms of haemorrhoids. You should always get any rectal bleeding checked out, so your doctor can rule out more potentially serious causes.
The symptoms of haemorrhoids often clear up on their own or with simple treatments that can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription . However, speak to your GP if your symptoms don’t get better or if you experience pain or bleeding.
Your GP can often diagnose haemorrhoids using a simple internal examination of your back passage, although they may need to refer you to a colorectal specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Some people with haemorrhoids are reluctant to see their GP. However, theres no need to be embarrassed, because GPs are very used to diagnosing and treating haemorrhoids.
Read more about diagnosing haemorrhoids.
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When Do Hemorrhoids Need Surgery
While hemorrhoids are a pain, the good news is most do not require surgery and can be managed through other treatments, changes in diet, or at home remedies.
Surgery for hemorrhoids is usually only performed for severe cases, such as when home remedies arent working, emergencies , or when they become so bothersome or painful that they impact your lifestyle.
Minimally Invasive Hemorrhoid Treatments
There are several options to treat hemorrhoids that cause very little pain, if any, and have a quick recovery time. In most cases, patients can go back to work within a day.
These hemorrhoids treatments are usually performed in a doctors office or as an outpatient procedure in a hospital.
Rubber Band Ligation, or banding, is a common procedure to treat internal hemorrhoids. A small elastic band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid cutting off its blood supply, which causes the hemorrhoid to shrink. Most cases require two to four procedures done about two months apart.
Most people dont feel pain during the procedure but may feel some mild discomfort.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting the hemorrhoid with a solution that causes the hemorrhoid to shrink. It is typically performed in a doctors office with patients feeling little pain or discomfort.
While this procedure isnt painful, most people will experience mild discomfort or some cramping.
What About Surgery For Severe Hemorrhoids?
Are You A Candidate For Hemorrhoid Surgery?
How Big Can External Hemorrhoids Become
External hemorrhoids can become quite large and inhibit daily life and activities. The size of external hemorrhoids varies, ranging anywhere from grape-sized to the size of a golf ball.
Typically, the more enlarged the hemorrhoid becomes, the more challenging and severe the symptoms are.
Symptoms of enlarged hemorrhoids consist of itching, burning, severe pain, and the discharge of stool or mucus. If you notice that your hemorrhoids do not go away by themselves after a few days or so, you will want to talk to your doctor.
Getting on track for the right treatment for your external hemorrhoids can help curb the risk of the hemorrhoids becoming enlarged.
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Less Invasive Treatment Options
Hemorrhoidectomies are generally reserved for the most severe cases or when other, less invasive treatment methods have failed. These milder treatments include the following.
Lifestyle modifications
Getting regular exercise and not straining, especially when you go to the bathroom, can help you avoid irritating the hemorrhoids.
Diet is also a factor. Try increasing your fluid intake and reducing consumption of fats. Add more fiber with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can also take fiber supplements.
Symptom relief
To ease symptoms such as swelling, itching, and pain, you can try the following remedies:
- Topicals. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams, pads, or suppositories can ease symptoms. Look for products that contain hydrocortisone, lidocaine, or witch hazel.
- Baths. Relax in a plain, warm bath. A sitz bath that fits on the toilet seat can also be helpful. You can soak for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.
- Oral medications. Use OTC anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.
- Stool softeners. OTC stool softeners can help you avoid straining when you move your bowels.
Be sure to read labels and use only as directed. If you have any concerns at all, review your OTC medications with your doctor or pharmacist.
Nonsurgical treatments
Minimally invasive treatments to get rid of painful hemorrhoids include the following:
Surgical removal of hemorrhoids may be an option if:
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Dietary Changes And Self Care
If constipation is thought to be the cause of your haemorrhoids, you need to keep your stools soft and regular, so that you don’t strain when passing stools.
You can do this by increasing the amount of fibre in your diet. Good sources of fibre include wholegrain bread, cereal, fruit and vegetables.
You should also drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine .
When going to the toilet, you should:
- avoid straining to pass stools, because it may make your haemorrhoids worse
- use moist toilet paper, rather than dry toilet paper, or baby wipes to clean your bottom after passing a stool
- pat the area around your bottom, rather than rubbing it
Read more about preventing constipation.
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Pain After Hemorrhoid Treatment
It is common to experience pain in the week following hemorrhoid treatment. Patients who have a hemorrhoidectomy, or surgery to remove hemorrhoids, will typically have more pain than a patient who elects to have sclerotherapy, a less invasive treatment. Hemorrhoid banding, an outpatient procedure, typically leads to minimal discomfort after treatments.
Depending on the type of procedure you choose, your pain may be significant or you may simply feel discomfort. The level of pain a patient experiences after this procedure relates directly to the type of procedure, how severe the hemorrhoids were prior to surgery, and the consistency of stool during bowel movements during the recovery period.
A surgery to treat a single small hemorrhoid using sclerotherapy may result in minor pain. A hemorrhoidectomy to remove multiple very large hemorrhoids may result in significant pain.
Regardless of the type of treatment, it is normal to have pain with a bowel movement in the week following surgery. Straining and pushing can make the pain significantly worse.
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Procedure For Prolapse And Hemorrhoids
PPH is also called a stapled hemorrhoidectomy. The doctor will use a stapler-like device to reposition the hemorrhoids and cut off their blood supply. Without blood, theyll eventually shrivel and die.
This procedure moves the hemorrhoid to where there are fewer nerve endings, so it hurts less than a traditional hemorrhoidectomy. Youll also recover faster and have less bleeding and itching. And there are generally fewer complications.
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Enlarged Hemorrhoids: What Surgical Procedures Are Used To Treat Hemorrhoids
Sometimes the symptoms of enlarged hemorrhoids are so bad that treating the symptoms alone is no longer enough. Then there are various procedures that can be done to remove the tissue that is causing problems.
Sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation are generally carried out as day procedures, without an anesthetic. If someone has grade 3 or grade 4 hemorrhoids, doctors often recommend surgery. A general or local anesthetic is usually needed for this. You then have to stay in the hospital for a few days, and stay off work for some time too.
Purpose Of Hemorrhoid Surgery
The purpose of hemorrhoid surgery is to remove external or internal hemorrhoids.
That said, even though hemorrhoidectomy is the most effective and definitive treatment for hemorrhoids, its linked to significantly more pain and complications than non-surgical therapies.
Therefore, the American Gastroenterological Association advises that surgery only be considered for a specific and small group of individuals.
Potential candidates for hemorrhoidectomy generally include patients who:
- Have tried medical and non-operative hemorrhoid therapies without success, or who cannot tolerate them
- Have grade 3, grade 4, or mixed internal and external hemorrhoids that cause symptoms
- Have symptomatic hemorrhoids along with an associated anorectal condition that warrants surgery
- Prefer surgery and have discussed therapy options with their referring healthcare provider and surgeon
When hemorrhoid surgery is scheduled, various pre-operative tests may need to be run, especially for patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Examples of such tests include:
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A Range Of Treatments
In choosing the treatment for hemorrhoids, one should consider the disease grade and severity, its impact on the quality of life, the degree of pain it causes, the patients likelihood of adhering to treatment and the patients personal preference.
Regardless of severity, treatment almost always starts with a high-fiber diet and other lifestyle modifications that include bowel movement behaviors. This requires practitioners to spend significant time on patient education, regardless of the type or severity of the disease.
Treatments can be grouped in three categories: conservative, office-based and surgical. Practitioners should thoroughly discuss the options with the patient, emphasizing the pros and cons of each.
When To Consider Hemorrhoid Removal Surgery
Your doctor may decide that you are a good candidate for hemorrhoid removal surgery if:
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You have combined internal and external hemorrhoids.
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You have additional anorectal conditions that require surgery.
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Youve had minimally invasive procedures or other treatments that have not corrected the problem.
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You have significant amounts of bleeding from your hemorrhoids.
- You have a hemorrhoid with that recur after less invasive treatments.
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How Long Does Hemorrhoid Removal Recovery Take
You will likely start to feel discomfort once the anesthesia and pain medication wears off. This may last anywhere from a week to up to two months after the procedure, and you may also notice some bleeding. This is normal. Your doctor will give you pain medication or you may be able to take over-the-counter medication. Your doctor may also give you stool softeners to make your bowel movements easier since you want to avoid straining.
If you have hemorrhoids, you have options to manage them or get them removed. A PACT colorectal surgeon can help you determine whether they can be treated at home or if they will require surgery to remove them.
What Type Of Doctor Treats External Hemorrhoids
Your primary care physician can treat smaller, less severe external hemorrhoids. In some cases, they can prescribe a stronger hemorrhoid cream or suppository. If you have a more serious case of hemorrhoids, or your external hemorrhoids are persistent, your doctor may refer you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist. If you require a surgical procedure for your hemorrhoids, you will want to find a colon and rectal surgeon.
External hemorrhoids are the most bothersome type of hemorrhoids. Although they can be painful and uncomfortable, they are treatable and can often be resolved without a surgical procedure.
External Hemorrhoids Guide 101-Continued
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What If I Need A Hemorrhoidectomy
If rubber band ligation or another similar in-office procedure does not help or if you have large protruding hemorrhoids that make you a poor candidate for this type of treatment you may require a hemorrhoidectomy.
A traditional hemorrhoidectomy is an invasive surgery that takes a week or more of recovery before you can return to work and your regular activities. It also requires general anesthesia. Still, it is the most effective method of getting rid of problematic hemorrhoids.
The surgeon completes this procedure by making an incision around the inflamed tissue and removing the involved blood vessels. Hemorrhoidectomies are typically performed as day surgery, and patients return home the same day. Complications or reactions to anesthesia may call for overnight hospitalization.
While traditional hemorrhoidectomies are very effective and most patients are pleased despite the long recovery time, a newer alternative is being used by some doctors to treat prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. Known as a stapled hemorrhoidopexy or PPH, this procedure utilizes a special stapler to tack the inflamed tissue back into its natural position. Over the following days, the inflamed tissue returns to its original size, eliminating symptoms.
How Are Internal Hemorrhoids Treated
Even if you require medical treatment for your symptomatic internal hemorrhoids, there are often other treatments to try before resorting to surgery. The most common of these methods is known as rubber band ligation.
Most colon and rectal specialists perform this procedure in the office, and it only take a few minutes. The doctor places a tiny band at the base of the hemorrhoid, reducing blood flow. This will shrink the inflamed tissue, stopping symptoms. Some patients require as many as four band placements to completely eliminate symptoms. This process causes only mild pain, requires no anesthesia, and you can return to work immediately.
Some doctors may prefer other procedures that work in a similar way, including sclerotherapy , infrared or laser coagulation and cryosurgery.
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If I Have A Colonoscopy Will The Doctor Notice My Hemorrhoids
Your colorectal surgeon may notice your hemorrhoids during a colonoscopy. However, you should never feel embarrassed about this, as hemorrhoids are incredibly common. In most cases, the presence of hemorrhoids does not cause pain during a colonoscopy, though you may experience some mild bleeding or irritation from hemorrhoids after the procedure.
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What Shrinks Hemorrhoids Fast
Home remedies
- Eat high-fiber foods. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent.
- Soak regularly in a warm bath or sitz bath.
- Take oral pain relievers.
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Types Of Hemorrhoid Surgery
Surgeries for hemorrhoids can be divided into simpler, outpatient, and less invasive procedures you can do without anesthesia and more complex, inpatient surgeries.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, and whether you have complications, your doctor will determine whether you need surgery and the type of procedure best for you.
The severity of hemorrhoids is classified by grades as follows:
- Grade 1: no prolapse
- Grade 2: prolapse that goes away by itself
- Grade 3: prolapse that you have to push back in on your own
- Grade 4: prolapse that you cant push in on your own and causes you pain
What Is A Hemorrhoidectomy
A hemorrhoidectomy is surgery to remove hemorrhoids, whether theyre internal or external.
Surgery is typically not the first line of treatment. But when all else fails, hemorrhoidectomy is a safe, effective treatment that doesnt just make hemorrhoids easier to live with it gets rid of them altogether.
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Hemorrhoids How Bad Do They Have To Be For Surgery
Permanent – Probably not. Your chances of reoccurrence are about 25 to 30 percent. 3-to 4 weeks is the usual recuperation time. The side effects are discomfort, swelling, and often, there is some pain when defecating . Any form of operation will rarely interfere with your day-to-day activities. However, it would be advisable not to engage in heavy exertion or heavy lifting for about six weeks following your Hemorrhoid surgery. Symptoms can be relieved in many ways, including numerous over-the-counter medications or simple at-home remedies such as taking warm baths, using cold compresses, applying petroleum jelly, and wearing loose-fitting clothes.