Get To Know A Couple Of Our Doctors
Chingyiam Panjapiyakul, M.D.
specializes in the surgical treatment of colorectal and rectal diseases, including endoscopic surgery such as colon cancer and hemorrhoids surgery. He has over 40 years experience in laparoscopic surgery and open surgery and has treated over 1000 surgical cases of hemorrhoids, hernia, gallstones, colon cancer and appendicitis. Dr. Chingyiam graduated with a degree from Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University and also received a Diploma in Surgery. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chinyiam,
Pakpong Wathanaoran, M.D.
is a specialist in hernia repair, laparoscopic and abdominal surgeries with over 10 years experience. He has done more than more than 1500 Laparoscopic surgeries. Dr. Pakphong graduated with a Second Class Honors M.D. from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University and continues to invest time in medical academia by participating in workshops and seminars to stay up to date with the latest innovations in the field. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pakpong,
Pornthep Prathanvanich, M.D.
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, there’s a lot we can do about hemorrhoids.
Bleeding Hemorrhoids Home Treatment Options
See one of the links below for guides on the best hemorrhoid products for each category or type of product. These are great treatment options for bleeding hemorrhoids at home.
Most hemorrhoids can be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies. There are ways to change your daily habits that can treat bleeding hemorrhoids.
When it comes to bleeding hemorrhoids, you should consult with your physician or hemorrhoid doctor.
This is because rectal bleeding is also a sign of colorectal or anal cancer. Bleeding with pain can be a sign of an anal fissure or a tear in the skin at the opening of the anus.
Once your doctor has determined that your rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids, there are several hemorrhoid treatments available for bleeding hemorrhoids.
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes Can Help
Constipation is a common cause of hemorrhoids, so avoiding it at all costs can be an effective treatment for hemorrhoids.
Proper diet and hydration are very important for overall health .
Plus, itâs very helpful when dealing with hemorrhoids.
The use of stool softeners can also be helpful in treating hemorrhoids .
Make sure you follow proper hygiene practices and avoid straining during bowel movements.
Internal Hemorrhoids Medical Procedures
Internal hemorrhoids that bleed can be treated with many different options. The rubber band ligation is one of the most common treatment options for bleeding internal hemorrhoids.
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How Can I Treat My Hemorrhoids
You can most often treat your hemorrhoids at home by
- taking a stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium or methylcellulose
- drinking water or other nonalcoholic liquids each day as recommended by your health care professional
- not straining during bowel movements
- not sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin
- sitting in a tub of warm water, called a sitz bath, several times a day to help relieve pain
Applying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or ointments or using suppositoriesa medicine you insert into your rectummay relieve mild pain, swelling, and itching of external hemorrhoids. Most often, doctors recommend using over-the-counter products for 1 week. You should follow up with your doctor if the products
- do not relieve your symptoms after 1 week
- cause side effects such dry skin around your anus or a rash
Most prolapsed internal hemorrhoids go away without at-home treatment. However, severely prolapsed or bleeding internal hemorrhoids may need medical treatment.
Are There Any Tests For Rectal Bleeding
There are several ways your healthcare provider can evaluate rectal bleeding to help figure out the cause. Your provider might start by asking you about the situation around your rectal bleeding. Some questions may include:
- When did the rectal bleeding start?
- What did you eat the day before seeing the rectal bleeding?
- How frequently do you have a bowel movement?
- Have you been constipated?
- Do you have any inflammatory bowel conditions?
- Do you have a family history of colorectal cancer?
These questions can help your healthcare provider narrow down a possible cause of your bleeding. There are also tests that your provider can do to help determine the cause.
Tests to help diagnose the cause of rectal bleeding can include:
- A physical exam of the rectum and anus.
- A sigmoidoscopy.
- A fecal occult blood test .
Your healthcare provider may suggest only one of these tests, or do several of them together to try and discover the cause of your rectal bleeding.
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Be Careful Hemorrhoid Can Burst If Becomes Thrombosed
2 minute read
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins within and around the anal canal. The veins around the anus tend to stretch under the increased pressure and may be swollen. If you have experienced an acute anal pain with per rectal bleeding related to the bowel movements, it is highly recommended to seek for an urgent medical attention. This could be the signs and symptoms of ruptured hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids Treatment: Rubber Band Ligation
The principle of rubber band ligation is to encircle the base of the hemorrhoidal clump with a tight rubber band. The tissue cut off by the rubber band dies, and is replaced by an ulcer that heals with scarring.
A similar procedure was described in 460 BC by the Greek physician Hippocrates:
And hemorrhoids you may treat by transfixing them with a needle and tying them with very thick and woolen thread, for application, and do not foment until they drop off, and always leave one behind and when the patient recovers, let him be put on a course of Hellebore.
Rubber band ligation can be used with first-, second-, and third-degree hemorrhoids, and may be more effective than sclerotherapy. Symptoms frequently recur several years later, but usually can be treated with further ligation.
The most common complication of ligation is pain. However, bleeding one or two weeks after ligation or bacterial infection in the tissues surrounding the hemorrhoids may occur.
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What Is A Bleeding Hemorrhoid
Some people see blood in their stool, in the toilet, or after a bowel movement. The amount of blood is usually small, and it is bright red. The most common reason for rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen, irritated veins in and around the anus. About 50% of Americans experience hemorrhoids by the age of 50:
Bleeding hemorrhoids are veins in and around the anus that swell and become irritated until they bleed. If you have bleeding hemorrhoids, you might experience symptoms like:
- Skin tissue bulging from the anus
- Leaking feces and difficulty cleaning after using the bathroom
Hemorrhoids are usually caused by:
- Obesity
- Prolonged sitting every day
Bleeding hemorrhoids may be painful, but they usually go away on their own. However, in some cases symptoms dont go away and can get worse. If this is the case, contact your doctor.
Severe pain and bleeding may be happening because of something more serious. Its important to have your doctor complete an evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your rectal bleeding.
What Are Other Treatments For Hemorrhoids
In most cases, hemorrhoids go away within a week with some self-care and at-home treatments. There are simple ways to manage them and ease your symptoms.
Eat more fiber
Constipation and straining during a bowel movement are big causes of hemorrhoids. Eating fiber helps relieve constipation and makes it easier to pass stool. Fiber is a carbohydrate that your body cant digest. As it moves through your bowels, it draws water into your stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Studies show that eating extra fiber reduces hemorrhoid bleeding.
The best form of fiber comes from food, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and lentils. To get more fiber, you can also:
- Replace white bread, pasta, and rice with whole grain versions
- Eat beans and other legumes instead of meat a few times a week
- Snack on raw vegetables with hummus instead of chips or cookies
- Eat oatmeal instead of sugary cereal
Fiber supplements made of psyllium seed, bran, or inulin can also be helpful. Add supplements slowly, though, to avoid gas and bloating. If constipation is severe or ongoing, you might need to take a laxative with senna.
Drink more water
Constipation happens when food moves too slowly through your bowels. The bowels absorb too much water, and the stool gets hard, making it tough to pass. Drinking lots of water can help keep your stool soft and prevent constipation. Swap tea, coffee, and alcohol for water.
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Can I Swim With Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Swimming is an excellent exercise for those suffering from hemorrhoids.
You can swim with both external and internal hemorrhoids. Swimming is a helpful activity because there are less chaffing and pressure on the existing hemorrhoids, lessening the symptoms of pain, discomfort, and itching.
Bleeding hemorrhoids mostly refers to the symptom caused by internal hemorrhoids.
Swimming won’t result in hemorrhoid bleeding, but if you do suffer from internal hemorrhoids, you may see blood after a bowel movement.
Exercise is encouraged to help subside hemorrhoid flare-ups, but it is essential to choose an activity that does not worsen your symptoms.
Can I Use A Suppository For Hemorrhoids With Bleeding
While many people love hemorrhoid suppositories, you should be careful using a hemorrhoid suppository when bleeding.
Make sure that you have bleeding hemorrhoids before relying strictly upon a hemorrhoid suppository.
If you can confirm your problem isn’t more serious, then a suppository for bleeding is a good idea.
My favorite suppository for bleeding hemorrhoids is from Boiron.
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Maintaining A Healthy Weight
Being overweight is another factor that may contribute to the development of haemorrhoids. You can lose weight by exercising regularly, eating a low-fat diet and moderating your alcohol intake.
More information about food and nutrition is available in our healthy eating section and from the Nutrition Australia website.
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Are There Any Foods That Can Change The Color Of My Stool In A Similar Way To Rectal Bleeding
There are certain foods that can make your poop an unusual color. You can have green, yellow and even black stool. This can happen for a variety of reasons having too much bile during digestion, having a medical condition like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, being on antibiotics, or even just eating foods with strong color pigments.
Often, blood can make your stool look very dark and almost black. Foods like black licorice, beets, dark berries and red gelatin can all make your poop look very dark. This can easily be confused for blood in your stool. If you notice very dark poop during a bowel movement, think back to what you ate recently. Theres a chance that what you ate could be the cause for the usually dark stool.
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Blood Thinners: Getting Regular Blood Tests
You will have 2 tests to find out how your blood is clotting. One is called prothrombin time . The other is called the international normalized ratio .
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Get your blood tests as often as directed.
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Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised. It may take a few hours for him or her to get your results. Call to find out your lab results. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to make changes to your dose or diet.
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If your blood tests are not done at your healthcare providers office, tell him or her as soon as you get your test results.
My next INR/PT blood test is on _____________ at ___________ by ___________ .
The name of the healthcare provider who is in charge of my anticoagulation therapy is _____________________. The phone number is _________________.
What Procedures And Tests Diagnose Rectal Bleeding
A physician will perform a physical examination. If necessary, diagnostic tests may be ordered.
Physical exam: The focus is on finding the source and extent of bleeding. Priority is to identify significant low blood volume and begin appropriate treatment. This is the most life-threatening situation. The physician will focus on three aspects:
Diagnostic tests: Depending on the type and severity of bleeding, health care providers may perform special tests to aid in diagnosis.
- Blood tests: Health care professionals will take blood samples to assess the extent of blood loss, the clotting ability of blood, and the possibility of infection.
- Nasogastric tube: A medical professional may need to pass a flexible tube through the nose into the stomach to check for the presence of active bleeding. This may be uncomfortable, but can be a vital diagnostic test.
Scope examinations:
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Are Bleeding Hemorrhoids Common
Usually, when people have bleeding hemorrhoids, they are referring to internal hemorrhoids and the painless rectal bleeding often associated with it.
Internal hemorrhoids are common, so much so that nearly half of adults around the age of fifty develop either type of hemorrhoid.
Pregnant women also commonly experience bleeding hemorrhoids.
Treatment Options For Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Most of the time, blood in your stool or drops of blood in your underwear only lasts a few hours or days. Still dealing with this is extremely unpleasant, uncomfortable, and painful.
The itching can become unbearable. This is usually what leads people to look for remedies or treatments that can help them reduce the symptoms. Heres our advice for speeding up the healing process for bleeding hemorrhoids:
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Why Are Internal Prolapsed Hemorrhoids At A Greater Risk Of Becoming Thrombosed
Whether internal or external, if your hemorrhoid is prolapsed it is at a greater risk of becoming thrombosed. When outside the anus the hemorrhoids blood supply can be cut off or limited by the anal sphincter limiting blood flow.
Since thrombosis occurs as a result of a lack of blood flow, these types of hemorrhoids are particularly susceptible to this painful condition.
When To Seek Help
If you have symptoms of a prolapsed hemorrhoid, see a doctor.
Sometimes the hemorrhoid may retreat away from the skin on its own and not cause any more symptoms.
But if pain, itching and bleeding persist, see a primary care physician, proctologist , or gastroenterologist .
If you feel a lump around your anus, even if there are no other symptoms, you should see a doctor. You want to make sure that lump is actually a hemorrhoid and not a tumor or other health concern.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Why did I get hemorrhoids?
- What is the best treatment for me?
- What lifestyle changes can I make to keep from getting hemorrhoids again?
- When will symptoms improve?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
An estimated 15 million Americans have sought treatments for hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. But many more suffer needlessly. Dont be too embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. If hemorrhoids cause pain or discomfort, your provider has treatments that can help. You can also take steps to keep hemorrhoids from coming back.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2021.
References
What If A Hemorrhoid Won’t Go Away
Most people will get relief from at-home treatments. However, sometimes these remedies do not work, or don’t work well enough. In that case, there are treatments that the doctor can provide. These can range from pills to prescription creams to minimally invasive procedures, and even to hemorrhoid removal surgery.
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Can Running Cause A Hemorrhoid To Bleed
If you have external hemorrhoids, running will most likely not cause them to bleed.
If your hemorrhoids have formed a blood clot and burst during a run, then will you see bleeding.
If you have internal hemorrhoids, running will likely help promote a healthier bowel movement.
However, you might see some anal bleeding after elimination.
Exercise, while beneficial in the prevention of hemorrhoids, tends to worsen some symptoms.
If you correctly lubricate your hemorrhoids with creams or ointments such as Preparation H or other over the counter medications designed to relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids, then you can lessen the amount of chaffing during a run.
Hardening Of Your External Hemorrhoid
If it feels like youre sitting on a stone, your external hemorrhoid may have developed a small blood clot. Blood clots are semi-solid clumps of blood created by the platelets and special proteins in your blood in response to an injury.
The constant stretching of the tissue in your rectum causes the walls of the blood vessels to weaken and thin. Over time, these blood vessels may swell and bulge from pooling blood, which leads to hemorrhoids. When blood gets trapped in the swollen vein, blood clots develop, creating the thrombosed hemorrhoid.
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