Doctors That Deal With Hemorrhoids

Are You A Good Candidate For Hemorrhoid Removal

The goal of hemorrhoid surgery is to remove the enlarged hemorrhoid tissue and relieve rectal , itching and bleeding. But surgery is not your only option. Hemorrhoid treatments include lifestyle changes, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery. Use the following information as a guide in making the decision to have hemorrhoid removal surgery.

How Do You Treat Hemorrhoids

Simple preventive measures can reduce your risk of hemorrhoids in North Carolina. Simple home remedies include the following:

• Exercise regularly. Obesity is a significant risk factor when it comes to hemorrhoid development, and regular exercise can help you stimulate your bowels. Aim to get at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise each day.

• Sit on cushions. Sitting on a soft surface rather than a hard surface can help reduce swelling and reduce the pressure.

• Facilitate regular bowel movements. Holding stool in can lead to increased pressure and straining during bowel movements. Scheduling time to go to the bathroom or going to the bathroom immediately can reduce hemorrhoid risk.

What To Expect At Your Appointment

Surgery, where the excess tissue causing the blood is removed, is only required in a small number of hemorrhoids cases. Such removal is known as hemorrhoidectomy.

In any event, if the symptoms don’t go away, Dr. Dacha urges people to see a doctor, not only to confirm a diagnosis of hemorrhoids, but also to eliminate other possible diseases.

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How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are common as you get older. These steps can help prevent hard stools and constipation that can lead to hemorrhoids:

• Dont sit too long or push too hard on the toilet.
• Go the toilet when the urge hits dont delay bowel movements.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eat more high-fiber foods or take supplements. Generally, women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should get 35 grams of fiber.
• Stay physically active. Being on the move keeps bowels moving.
• Take laxatives or use enemas only as recommended by your healthcare provider. Too many laxatives or enemas can make it hard for your body to regulate how you poop.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An External Or Thrombosed Hemorrhoid

Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are a painful condition. These occurs when a blood clot develops in a hemorrhoidal blood vessel causing swelling and inflammation.

• When a blood clot occurs in a hemorrhoid, the hemorrhoid will become even more swollen. This swelling leads to increased pain.
• The pain is usually worse with bowel movements and may increase with sitting.

A thrombosed external hemorrhoid may resolve on its own however, this condition often needs medical care. Bleeding with a bowel movement is never normal and should prompt a visit to a health-care professional. While hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bleeding with a bowel movement, there may be other reasons for bleeding including inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and tumors.

Common situations that increase pressure within the hemorrhoidal blood vessels and lead to abnormalities include the following.

• Straining to have a bowel movement. This may be due to constipation or diarrhea.
• Prolonged sitting, including on the toilet
• Lack of exercise

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Seek An Experienced Specialist

While you want a specialist who works with the most cutting-edge treatments, you also want someone who has the experience to know what will work based on the details of your specific case. According to the American Board of Surgery, this is not a general practitioner. General practitioners may only see a few cases a year, and general surgeons may only see a few hemorrhoidectomies, fistulotomies, and other similar procedures each year. Without regularly handling these conditions, the rate of misdiagnosis or improper treatment is much higher.

This again highlights the benefits of choosing a specialist, and one who has extensive colorectal surgical experience such as that required to obtain board certification. This experience improves the outcome every step of the way, from routine screenings, to prescribing the right medical treatments, to performing surgery when necessary.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Hemorrhoids

Several conditions and habits are thought to cause hemorrhoids:

• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Straining too hard during bowel movements
• Sitting on the toilet for a long time

Straining, constipation, and prolonged sitting can all affect the blood flow in the area, causing blood to not move at its expected rate within the vessels, leading to hemorrhoids.

Factors that raise your risk of developing hemorrhoids:

• Lack of fiber in the diet.
• Obesity: Being overweight can put pressure on the hemorrhoidal tissue.

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Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids That Wont Go Away

If hemorrhoids dont go away with home treatments, medical procedures may be necessary.

Doctors office procedures for internal hemorrhoids those located inside the rectum may include:

Rubber Band Ligation This is the most commonly performed hemorrhoid procedure in the United States. In this procedure, which can be used for grades 1, 2, and 3 internal hemorrhoids , the doctor places a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid, which can be done when your doctor performs an anoscopy examination to better visualize the hemorrhoids. The rubber band cuts off the hemorrhoids blood supply.

The procedure typically causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off within about a week, though several short visits to your doctor may be necessary to completely get rid of the hemorrhoid. Minor bleeding and a feeling of pressure may occur, but this can usually be alleviated with OTC pain relievers. This procedure is not associated with significant recovery time.

Sclerotherapy In this quick, often painless procedure, the doctor injects a chemical into the hemorrhoidal blood vessel, causing scar tissue to form in order to shrink the hemorrhoid. The principle behind this is the same as rubber band ligation, though its not always as effective. This procedure can be used in patients taking blood thinners, for whom rubber band ligation may not be recommended.

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Change Your Lifestyle To Decrease Strain On Your Bowels

When you feel the urge to defecate, dont hesitate! The longer stool remains within the body, the more your body draws water from it. However, when youre defecating, dont bear down or strain to push the stool out of your body. If youre straining to move your bowels, its time to get more fluids and fiber in your diet.d

You can also help move your bowels by getting regular exercise. A twenty-minute daily constitutional can provide all kinds of health benefits, including helping your bowels move.

If you can avoid sitting for prolonged periods, it will help keep weight and strain off your bottom!

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Lifestyle Changes For Managing Hemorrhoids

You may help prevent hemorrhoids from forming or from worsening with some lifestyle changes. These changes include:

• Do not strain while moving your bowels.
• Limit the amount of time you spend on the toilet.
• Increase fiber in your diet. Fiber helps give stool bulk so it can be moved through your intestines, and it also helps water remain in the stool so it does not become dry and difficult to pass.
• Increase fluid intake. Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids to help keep your stool soft.
• Exercise regularly. This will help regulate and stimulate your bowels.
• Apply topical ointments. OTC creams and suppositories can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

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Gastroenterology & Hepatology Located In Annapolis Md Kent Island Md Odenton Md Bowie Md Pasadena Md & Greenbelt Md

Its estimated that hemorrhoids affect about half of all adults by the time they reach age 50. Most people suffer from their hemorrhoids for a long time before seeking help. The gastroenterology team at Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., with office locations in Annapolis, Stevensville, Odenton, Bowie, and Pasadena, Maryland, takes a patient-centered approach to care. They offer many effective treatments for hemorrhoids to reduce discomfort and prevent recurrence. To get help for your hemorrhoids, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Why do I have hemorrhoids?
• Are there any lifestyle changes I can do that can relieve or prevent hemorrhoids?
• I saw blood on toilet paper. Is this serious?
• Are having hemorrhoids a sign of another health condition?
• Will I always have hemorrhoids?
• Is there medicine I can take for hemorrhoids? Are there side effects?

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Are Bleeding Hemorrhoids Dangerous

However, do not take your hemorrhoids for granted, particularly if you have bleeding hemorrhoids. Not everything that causes blood in your stool is harmless, for example, colorectal cancer. You should see a hemorrhoid doctor or general practitioner as soon as possible.

Hemorrhoids do not cause cancer. However, cancer can cause many of the same symptoms as hemorrhoids, including bleeding.

Can I Go To A Walk

Hemorrhoids are a surprisingly common condition that can happen abruptly without warning. Some folks dealing with hemorrhoids for the first time would naturally gravitate to the closest walk-in clinic to get checked out.

Due to where hemorrhoids occur and the level of severity, you might want to think about how much help a walk-in clinic can offer you.

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Hemorrhoid Care At Allegheny Health Network: Why Choose Us

Our colorectal surgeons successfully treat minor to severe types of hemorrhoids in less-invasive ways. They can treat many hemorrhoid symptoms with an outpatient procedure in our offices, which allows you to be home resting just hours after treatment.

People also choose us for our:

• Extensive colorectal training: Our surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Not every physician who treats hemorrhoids has this certification. It denotes a high level of training and the ability to provide an expert level of care.
• Surgical expertise: Our surgeons use sophisticated robots and techniques to safely treat hemorrhoids in difficult-to-reach locations. These innovations help you experience significant symptom relief for longer.
• Symptom relief sooner: Our expertise coupled with same-day appointments help provide quick diagnoses so you can feel relief sooner â sometimes the same day we evaluate your symptoms.
• Convenience: We offer diagnosis and treatment services at several hospitals and outpatient clinics in the surrounding community. This means you can get comprehensive hemorrhoid care, close to home.

Common Causes Of Hemorrhoids

Doctors are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of hemorrhoids, but numerous activities and risk factors can increase their presence in North Carolina patients. Common causes of hemorrhoids include:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Increased pressure due to obesity
• Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
• Eating a low-fiber diet

As we age, hemorrhoids become more common. By age 50, half of older adults experience one or more common symptoms of hemorrhoids. While this condition is not usually dangerous, hemorrhoids can be a significant and painful intrusion in daily life.

December 22, 2017 by inx Medical

If you suffer from hemorrhoids, the good news is that lower grade hemorrhoids can resolve on their own with at-home treatments. But what if they get to the point where you need to see a doctor to treat them? How do you choose where to go and what doctor is right for you?

Heres what you should know about finding the right doctor for you:

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Doctor Care For Hemorrhoids

Medical attention isnt only for thrombosed hemorrhoids. If a week of at-home care doesnt relieve your hemorrhoid problem, its a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You should also have an exam if theres bleeding involved. That can be a symptom of several different conditions, some of which are more serious than others.

After diagnosing you with hemorrhoids, your doctor may suggest continuing with at-home care or moving on to surgical intervention, particularly if youve repeatedly dealt with thrombosed hemorrhoids. The most common surgical procedure for this condition is hemorrhoidectomy, which involves excising the affected tissue from the body.

Recovering from a hemorrhoidectomy can be painful. If you have internal hemorrhoids in addition to the external ones, your doctor may recommend treating the internal ones first. Sometimes, addressing internal hemorrhoids solves the external problem as well. Rubber band ligation is a minimally invasive procedure for getting rid of internal hemorrhoids.

After the symptoms of an external hemorrhoid go away, you may be left with a harmless skin tag. Your doctor can remove the tag through a quick in-office procedure.

What Causes Internal And External Hemorrhoids And Simple Ways To Treat Them

Hemorrhoids are usually caused by increased pressure due to pregnancy, being overweight, or straining during bowel movements. By midlife, hemorrhoids often become an ongoing complaint. By age 50, about half the population has experienced one or more of the classic symptoms, which include rectal pain, itching, bleeding, and possibly prolapse . Although hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, they can be a recurrent and painful intrusion. Fortunately, theres a lot we can do about hemorrhoids.

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What Is The Best Hemorrhoid Treatment

Many over-the-counter creams for hemorrhoids are available in your local pharmacy. These medications claim to reduce swelling and pain, but are not necessarily a cure. Likewise, some patients have experimented with laxatives and other stool softeners to ease pain during bowel movements, as harder or drier stool tends to irritate the hemorrhoids.

Overall, patients with hemorrhoids should avoid wearing clothes that bunch around the rectal area and opt for looser clothes made of light fabrics that breathe, such as cotton underwear. Any household item that may cause the hemorrhoids to be over-stimulated, such as scented lotions or toilet paper, should be replaced with milder products. Scratching the area will not help the condition heal, so patients should seek relief with warm baths instead.

If none of the above treatment options work, there is a heat treatment available called infrared coagulation that will shrink the hemorrhoids. Infrared coagulation is a good option for patients who dont want to resort to surgery. Otherwise, a surgical process called banding can infrequently used for patients for whom other treatment methods have been ineffective.

When Is It Time To See Your Doctor

While most people think of hemorrhoids as a minor problem, they can be very painful, explains Dr. Buzas. Knowing when to treat conditions such as hemorrhoids on your own and when its better to seek help can help you avoid unnecessary complications.If youre experiencing any of the following situations related to your hemorrhoids, make an appointment to see your doctor:

• You experience rectal bleeding or see bright red blood on your toilet paper.
• Youve tried over-the-counter remedies for more than one week without relieving your symptoms.
• You have bowel movements that are maroon or dark like tar in color, which can be a sign of bleeding.

If your rectal bleeding wont stop and you feel dizzy or faint, you should consider it a medical emergency that warrants a trip to the emergency room.When you see your doctor for hemorrhoids, youll first discuss your symptoms. Be sure to answer any questions directly and honestly, to get the best diagnosis. Your doctor will then examine you for external hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids and other potential issues.

Getting your hemorrhoids checked out is no different than and as important as getting a routine colonoscopy, Pap test, mammogram or prostate exam, Dr. Buzas notes. Theres no reason to be reluctant or delay your care.

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Essential Orgs For Hemorrhoid Information

This site provides a comprehensive review of what hemorrhoids are, what causes them, and how to treat them. In cases when pain is severe and hemorrhoids arent healing with at-home treatment, in-office treatment by a healthcare provider is necessary. This can involve surgical and nonsurgical options.

The Mayo Clinic offers trusted guidance on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhoids. You can also find answers to specific questions about home remedies and hemorrhoid treatment during pregnancy.

Continue Learning About Hemorrhoids

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

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