Do Hemorrhoids Cause Lower Back Pain
Hemorrhoids have been linked to lower back pain due to lack of blood flow as hemorrhoids pull blood from other sources.
While this is a topic that is often discussed, there is no scientific evidence to prove that back pain is a result of hemorrhoids.
If you experience hemorrhoids and lower back pain simultaneously, chances are the source of your back pain is another underlying health factor.
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How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
May 14, 2019
Hemorrhoids are a very common anorectal condition that affects millions of people around the world. Over half of all people will develop symptomatic hemorrhoids at some point, so its common to wonder how to get rid of hemorrhoids. Most patients are able to get rid of hemorrhoids with a high-fiber diet, herbal supplements and non-surgical medical treatments, such as my DIY Hemorrhoid Cream with Turmeric & Tea Tree Oil.
Hemorrhoids are frequently seen in primary care clinics, emergency wards, gastroenterology units and surgical clinics, but how do you know when hemorrhoids have developed and when you should see a doctor? These are common concerns among people who develop hemorrhoids and dont know how to deal with and treat the pain. Thankfully, there are natural treatments for how to get rid of hemorrhoids fast, and starting there may help relieve these literal pains in the butt.
Why Is Hemorrhoid Surgery Done
Surgery is indicated when all other approaches fail and in specific conditions such as:
- Hemorrhoids with significant bleeding
- Larger external hemorrhoids
- Protruding internal hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be managed either medically or with surgery, depending on the severity of the symptoms. For grade I and II hemorrhoids, dietary changes and medical treatment are indicated as the first-line treatments.
For grade I, II and III hemorrhoids unmanageable by medical treatment, the office-based procedure will be indicated. Office-based procedures include the following:
- Rubber band ligation: It involves placing rubber bands on the hemorrhoids.
- Infrared photocoagulation: Heat produced by the infrared light cuts of the blood supply to the hemorrhoids.
- Electrocoagulation: Electric currents cuts of the blood supply to the hemorrhoids.
- Sclerotherapy: Injecting a chemical solution into the area around the hemorrhoids.
- Cryotherapy: Involves freezing the hemorrhoids.
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What To Expect From The Hemorrhoid Surgery Recovery Process
Recovering from hemorrhoid surgerycan be an unpleasant experience. The recovery period typically lasts between one to six weeks post-surgery, depending on how extensive the procedure was. Different factors can determine the recovery time, including the number of hemorrhoids removed and their size.
Patients in the hemorrhoid surgery recovery stage often feel high discomfort and pain that continues for one to four weeks following the surgery. However, you can take certain steps to alleviate symptoms throughout this process.
Peppermint Oil To Soothe Hemorrhoid Pain
Peppermint oil has a high menthol content that produces a cooling and refreshing sensation when applied to the hemorrhoids.
The European Journal of Dentistry reported that peppermint essential oil can have a cooling effect on hemorrhoids.11
You can use a blend of peppermint oil and coconut oil to help get rid of hemorrhoid pain fast.
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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.
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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Medical Treatment For Your Hemorrhoids
Dr. Rivas develops personalized hemorrhoid treatment plans after completing a thorough examination. The treatments we recommend may depend on the type of hemorrhoids, as well as your symptoms. Initially, we may suggest lifestyle changes to ease your pain, such as increasing your intake of fiber and water to improve bowel movements and sitz baths to alleviate pain and discomfort.
However, when at-home treatments fail, Dr. Rivas may suggest a procedure to destroy or remove your hemorrhoids, such as:
- Rubber band ligation
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.
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Who Needs A Hemorrhoidectomy
Surgery’s a good option for people with large hemorrhoids. These can cause:
- Long-lasting pain
- Lots of blood loss
- Leaking stool or mucous
During this outpatient procedure, the surgeon cuts away the hemorrhoid. Doctors can use lasers, staples, and other tools. But removing them with a sharp blade is “the safest and best way to prevent them from coming back,” Hedrick says.
The vast majority of hemorrhoids dont require surgery. But it is a common surgery. At UVA, we see hundreds of patients with hemorrhoids and do between 75 to 100 hemorrhoidectomies each year, says Hedrick. She’s one of three UVA colon and rectal surgeons who do these procedures.
The biggest downside to surgery is an uncomfortable recovery, she adds. Its going to take 2 to 4 weeks to recover, and the first week is when bowel movements are the most painful. We give a numbing medicine that lasts 2 to 3 days. And taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain. We try not to use opioids, as they can constipate you.
Hedrick adds, Patients are happy after theyve done the surgery but usually only after about a month.
The Hemorrhoid Surgery Recovery Period
Once the hemorrhoid surgery has taken place, patients tend to notice that their symptoms begin to reduce towards the end of the first week, especially hemorrhoidectomy pain. An indication that the recovery is going well is if bowel movements after surgery are soft.
However, if this isnt the case and stool is hard or requires the patient to strain when going to the bathroom, you could feel a great amount of pain.
For patients who have undergone hemorrhoid surgery, many will be able to get back to their normal lifestyle after two to three weeks and perform non-strenuous activities one week from the procedure.
Throughout the recovery period, individuals should focus on trying to prevent constipation. Medication that is typically provided during the hemorrhoid healing time can increase the chance of constipation.
Therefore, it may be necessary for constipation medication to be taken alongside pain drugs to prevent this from happening. For patients that usually suffer from being constipated, you may need additional medicine.
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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, theyâll eventually shrivel and die.
This procedure moves the hemorrhoid to where there are fewer nerve endings, so it hurts less than a traditional hemorrhoidectomy. Youâll also recover faster and have less bleeding and itching. And there are generally fewer complications.
Precautions On How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
A common concern is that hemorrhoids increase the risk of colorectal cancer, but thats not true. However, the two conditions do cause similar symptoms. This is why its important to mention your hemorrhoids to your health care provider. Even when a hemorrhoid is healed completely, a colonoscopy may be done to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons , every person age 50 and older should undergo a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer.
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Types Of Hemorrhoid Banding
Physicians can use several techniques and specialized tools to perform hemorrhoid banding. For example, ligators feature variations in the grip. Some ligators have a pistol grip, while others feature a scissors grip. The mechanisms for capturing the hemorrhoid and releasing the band also vary.
Even though the following procedures all aim to ligate hemorrhoids, they may produce different results since they involve distinct devices and techniques. Here are the various types of hemorrhoid banding:
Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids
NSAID Risk: It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort following a medical procedure for hemorrhoids. A sitz bath or mild pain medication such as acetaminophen can provide some relief. However, do not use aspirin, ibuprofen, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 4-5 days before or after treatment, as these drugs increase your risk of bleeding.
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How Does Hemorrhoid Banding Work
When a doctor uses a ligator to place a tiny elastic band around a hemorrhoid, it cuts off the hemorrhoidal tissues blood supply. This causes the hemorrhoid to painlessly wither and fall from the living tissue in about a week. The surrounding tissue then forms a small scar as it heals. Once a scar forms where the hemorrhoid used to be, it helps keep hemorrhoids from coming back in the same spot.
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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Avoid The Old Treatments
In many cases, hemorrhoid treatment with creams and suppositories has been unsuccessful for years. This no longer needs to be the case. We have helped thousands of patients get the help they deserve. Expensive painful hemorrhoid surgery should be avoided. The pain and complications can lead to weeks of misery and missed work. Other surgical alternatives such as infrared coagulation , Freezing , Lasers and Doppler Ligation are known for their highest cost, pain, and in some cases need for anesthesia and a visit to the operating room.
There is no reason to delay finding the relief you deserve. Hemorrhoids are easier to treat when they are smaller and not protruding.
Call us today to schedule an appointment find nearest location.
Are There Other Things I Can Do To Relieve The Pain
In addition to prescription narcotic medications and over-the-counter drugs, there are also non-medical treatments that may be used to relieve some of the pain after a hemorrhoidectomy.
Sitz baths, shallow soaks in warm water with no soap or additives, can also be used to reduce the swelling. These baths can also help with hygiene after bowel movements. A hand-held shower head may also be very helpful. You will not want to rub the area dry after the bath, however. Patting it dry with a towel or allowing it to air dry will be more comfortable. Some people even find that a small fan helps them dry the area with minimal irritation.
Another option after bowel movements is using specially designed pads to clean the area. Tucks Pads and other similar options are preferred over baby wipes because they do not contain perfumes or other irritants. Discuss this with your surgeon, because some prefer patients to use a shower or bath for all hygiene purposed instead.
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What No One Tells You About Hemorrhoid Surgery Recovery Time
Friday, May 20th, 2016 | Written by Premier Hemorrhoid Treatment Center Staff
Are you suffering from hemorrhoids but fear that a treatment procedure will be painful and the recovery time will be long? Youre not alone. Nearly half of the U.S. population has hemorrhoids at some point in their lifetime, and many of them avoid seeking treatment because of fear or embarrassment. But at Premier Hemorrhoid Treatment Center of Knoxville, we put our patients quickly at ease by sharing some good news upfront.
The Good News
First of all, hemorrhoid surgery is no longer always surgery.
Many people have heard tales of horror about someone they knew who had hemorrhoid surgery. In the past, the most prevalent treatment for hemorrhoids was hemorrhoidectomy, or the surgical removal of hemorrhoids. This procedure typically resulted in a painful, weeks-long recovery time. However, hemorrhoidectomies are now necessary only in the most severe cases. Technological developments have led to the discovery of effective nonsurgical treatments for hemorrhoids, such as laser infrared coagulation. These treatments provide lasting relief without the need for stitches or surgery and are usually performed right in the office in just minutes.
Theres no down-time.
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Conventional Treatment For Hemorrhoids
If your doctor believes that you do have enlarged hemorrhoids, she will most likely perform a proctoscopy next. This involves inserting a short tube with a light and lens on it that exams the membranes lining the rectum. The doctor is looking to see if there are enlarged hemorrhoids and how big they are. People tend to fear the pain and discomfort that come with these procedures, but they usually dont hurt and do help your doctor make suggestions about how to get rid of hemorrhoids.
Most of the patients suffering from hemorrhoids have their symptoms alleviated through diet therapy, fiber supplements, hemorrhoid cream and medical treatments, such as sclerotherapy, rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation.
1. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a chemical into a vein to destroy it. The sclerosant is used to damage the innermost lining of the vessel, which results in a clot that blocks the blood circulation in the vein. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue and fades away.
In 2010, a group of 338 Japanese medical institutions reported good results for sclerotherapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid . Upon injecting ALTA into grade 2, 3 and 4 hemorrhoids, of 3,519 patients, 98 percent reported positive effects within 28 days. The recurrence rate after two years was 18 percent, and complications included pyrexia, low blood pressure, perineal pain and rectal ulcers, but those were mild.
2. Rubber Band Ligation
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What Causes Hemorrhoids
Traditionally, hemorrhoids are associated with chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet all of which interfere with blood flow to and from the area, causing it to pool and enlarge the vessels. This also explains why hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, when the enlarging uterus presses on the veins.
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How Does Ultroid Work
A small amount of milliamperature electrical current is applied to the base of the hemorrhoid. This creates a unique biochemical reaction within the vascular feeding vessels and causes the release of hydrogen ions. This critical reaction is the production of hydroxyl ions or OH, which results in a strong alkaline environment around the probe tips that results in a denaturation of proteins. Unlike other treatments that cut out the vein, cauterize it, or scar it, Ultroid is the only treatment that works with the body in a natural and non-invasive way.
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Less Strain More Gain
Prolonged sitting or straining, often associated with constipation or diarrhea, may lead to hemorrhoids. âBy straining you are causing more hemorrhoids and creating more symptoms,â Dr. Wolf says.
Donât delay bowel movements during hemorrhoid flare-ups. Go when you need to go, because putting off bowel movements can worsen constipation, which then aggravates the hemorrhoids.
Also, elevating your feet a bit with a step stool as you sit on the toilet changes the position of the rectum in a way that could allow for easier passage of stools.
Change In Bowel Habits
With a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid you may develop the sensation that you cant fully evacuate your bowels. You may also notice a mucous discharge or difficulty cleaning yourself following a bowel movement because of displaced toilet tissue.
These symptoms can be uncomfortable but easily treated with medical intervention.
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Can You Band External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoid banding is not effective. External hemorrhoids are located beneath the dentate line, where there are pain-sensing nerves, so they are too sensitive for banding.
Hemorrhoid banding is only used to treat internal hemorrhoids, which are located above the dentate line. However, if you treat internal hemorrhoids with the CRH ORegan System, it can relieve swelling and symptoms associated with external hemorrhoids. Around 90% of patients with external hemorrhoid symptoms find relief with internal hemorrhoid banding. Protruding internal hemorrhoids may be mistaken for external hemorrhoids.