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
They Don’t Go It Alone
If you’re a lone wolf, it’s time to join a pack. “Everybody needs some support, whether it’s emotional or logistical, so you stay accountable,” Hill says.
Try teaming up with family, friends, or co-workers, or sign up for a weight loss support group even if you’re already at your goal weight, Kahan says. If you slimmed down with help from a dietitian or other expert, keep checking in with that person every now and then.
When To Seek Medical Care For Hemorrhoids
When to call the doctor
- Bleeding from the rectum or anus is never normal and although hemorrhoids are the most common reason to have blood in the stool, it should be discussed with your primary health-care professional. Other causes ofrectal bleeding exist and can be serious. Inflammatory bowel disease and cancers of the colon can present with rectal bleeding. Blood in the stool should never be ignored.
- Medical care should be sought urgently if a person is taking anticoagulation medications such as warfarin , dabigatran , rivaroxiban , apixaban , clopidogrel , prasugrel or enoxaparin .
- Individuals who have associated symptoms such as lightheadedness and weakness may have significant blood loss and may require more urgent care.
- Hemorrhoids do not cause abdominal pain should this pain be present with bleeding, medical care should be sought immediately.
- Prolapsed hemorrhoids that cannot be pushed back through the anus require medical care.
- Thrombosed external hemorrhoids may cause significant pain and medical care may be necessary to remove the clot.
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When To Call Your Doctor
Even if you think it’s from hemorrhoids, you should call your doctor about any rectal bleeding. It’s also a symptom of colon polyps, colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and colorectal cancer. Anal fissures can also cause pain and bleeding. So you’ll want to make sure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
If your hemorrhoids are very painful or aren’t getting better after you’ve tried treating them yourself, let your doctor know.
What Are The Symptoms Of Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer can cause many symptoms and signs that require a person to seek medical care. However, rectal cancer may also be present without any symptoms, underscoring the importance of routine health screening. Symptoms and signs to be aware of include the following:
- Bleeding
- Seeing blood mixed with stool is a sign to seek immediate medical care. Although many people bleed due to hemorrhoids, a doctor should still be notified in the event of rectal bleeding.
- Change in bowel habits
- Prolonged rectal bleeding may lead to anemia, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or a fast heartbeat.
- Bowel obstruction
- A rectal mass may grow so large that it prevents the normal passage of stool. This blockage may lead to the feeling of severe constipation or pain when having a bowel movement. In addition, abdominal pain, discomfort, or cramping may occur due to the blockage.
- The stool size may appear narrow so that it can be passed around the rectal mass. Therefore, pencil-thin or narrow stools may be another sign of an obstruction from rectal cancer.
- A person with rectal cancer may have a sensation that the stool cannot be completely evacuated after a bowel movement.
- Weight loss: Cancer may cause weight loss. Unexplained weight loss requires a medical evaluation.
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Whats The Best Way To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
There are a few remedies you can try to treat hemorrhoids at home, Dr. Bedford says. First, eating a high-fiber diet, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of liquids can help make your poop softer and move it along more easily, so it doesnt cause extra irritation to your hemorrhoids. Avoiding sitting for long periods of time can also minimize discomfort.
Taking a sitz bath for 20 minutes a night for a week or two will also help keep the anal area clean, reduce inflammation, and generally make you feel more comfortable. Simply sit in a bathtub filled with 3 to 4 inches of warm water or buy a plastic tub that holds the water and fits over your toilet seat.
If youre still having trouble, there are over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams and ointments that can help, like Preparation H. These can help decrease inflammation and help shrivel up or shrink hemorrhoids, Dr. Bedford says. If that doesnt do the trick, your doctor may recommend a prescription cream or suppository to try to fix the situation.
What Shrinks Hemorrhoids Fast
Remedy at home
- Consume foods that are rich in nutrition. Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Topical therapies should be used. Using a hydrocortisone-based over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository, or pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent.
- Soak in a warm bath or sitz bath on a daily basis.
- Take pain relievers by mouth.
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Who Gets Hemorrhoids The Most
Well, hemorrhoids tend not to be race, gender or age-specific. Although they can happen in both men and women, they are more common in the adult of age 45 to 65.
Although women frequently develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy, there is actually no studies which determine women to get hemorrhoids more often than men. Men tend to seek treatment for this condition more often than woman though.
If you want a safe, herbal solution for your hemorrhoids, you might want to consider HemRid. This is a great supplement for hemorrhoids. If you are struggling with hemorrhoid pain and want relief, click on the image below to learn more.
Although the exact cause of hemorrhoids is not known, possible factors such as if a person has a family history of hemorrhoids, straining during a bowel movement,
complications from chronic constipation, and sitting for long periods of time can lead to a person being more prone to developing them.
Check out this youtube video…it show how to find out if you have hemorrhoids or not.
A persons diet and constipation is considered to be common causes of a persons developing hemorrhoids. Other risk factors could include obesity, pregnancy, childbirth, constant straining, standing too much with no break, constant anal sexual intercourse, diarrhea, and heavy lifting.
Related Resources For Hemorrhoids
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
There are two main types of hemorrhoids:
Internal Hemorrhoids These hemorrhoids develop inside the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids usually dont hurt, but they often bleed painlessly, resulting in bright red blood you might notice when you go to the bathroom and wipe.
Most of the time, internal hemorrhoids are not visible to the naked eye. But in some cases, internal hemorrhoids may protrude through the anus, which is known as becoming prolapsed. When this happens, they will usually shrink back inside the rectum on their own. Protruding hemorrhoids can become irritated and itchy, and patients may find it difficult to clean themselves after a bowel movement.
Internal hemorrhoids are categorized by how prolapsed they are, which helps determine how they should be treated.
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What Will Happen If I Let Hemorrhoids Go Untreated
Hemorrhoids will often go away on their own. However, you may want to soak them or use a topical ointment to shrink them so that they are less painful. If you notice more blood or hemorrhoid-related pain gets worse, you should talk to a doctor to ensure you dont have an infection or other complications.
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
- Infrared, laser, or bipolar coagulation
- Thrombectomy
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When Should You See A Doctor For Hemorrhoids
If youre ever concerned about your hemorrhoids or youre not sure whats happening down there, you should call your doctor, Dr. Nelson says, especially if youve had symptoms for more than a week.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you use medication first but, if that doesnt help, there are other treatment options available like:
- Rubber band ligation, where a doctor essentially cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid with a rubber band
- Sclerotherapy, in which a doctor injects a solution into a hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood supply
- Infrared photocoagulation, which uses infrared light to cut off the blood supply
- Electrocoagulation, which uses an electric current to cut off the blood supply
- Surgical removal, in more severe cases
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Do I Have Hemorrhoids Or Rectal Prolapse
Hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse can cause similar symptoms in your rectum. However, there are significant differences in how the two conditions manifest. Understanding the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids versus rectal prolapse can be vital in making sure you receive the proper treatment.
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What Are The Risk Factors For Hemorrhoids
The risk factors for hemorrhoids are primarily associated to increased pressure on the anal and rectal veins. A family history of hemorrhoids might increase your risk. The risk factors include:
- age
- investing too long resting on the toilet
- not having enough dietary fiber
- overusing enemas or laxatives
The Most Common Symptom Of Internal Hemorrhoids Is Bleeding
Internal hemorrhoids form when blood vessels inside the rectum become swollen and engorged. Although they form in the lowest part of the rectum, internal hemorrhoids are still far enough inside you may not even know that theyre there. In fact, everyone actually has internal hemorrhoids, but we only notice them once they become a problem. Internal hemorrhoids can worsen over time, but since there are very few pain-sensing nerves in the lower rectal area, you are unlikely to feel any pain. In fact, the most common symptoms of mild internal hemorrhoids is bleeding. You can read more about hemorrhoid bleeding on our blog: here. However, when internal hemorrhoids become moderate to severe, you will likely begin to experience those hard-to-ignore hemorrhoid symptoms.
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The Only Way To Know With Certainty Is To Ask A Doctor
Whether youre feeling excess tissue around the anus or youre seeing a small amount of blood on the toilet paper, your symptoms may indicate a hemorrhoid problem. If youre still uncertain about whether you should see a doctor about your symptoms read out blog post titled Do I have to see my doctor if my hemorrhoids are bleeding?. Since the only way to know is to call a doctor near you and schedule a consultation, we recommend you search our database for a doctor near you that offers the CRH ORegan treatment. The CRH ORegan System is the only non-invasive, quick procedure designed to treat the source of your symptoms.
Heal Your Hemorrhoids
Prevent Hemorrhoids In The First Place
To prevent hemorrhoids, stay adequately hydrated and consume a diet rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables and whole grains to keep your bowels regular so you dont strain while on the toilet. Dont delay when you feel the need to defecate, as stalling can lead to hemorrhoids.
Work on achieving a healthy weight and we can help you with this. Exercise regularly, too, as it keeps things moving through your system. If you strain to pass stool, glide a little petroleum jelly around your anus to make it a bit easier.
If you suspect you have hemorrhoids and simple home treatments dont give you relief, dont hesitate to call us at Digestive Disorders Associates. We can rule out more serious causes of your symptoms and help you manage hemorrhoid pain in the least invasive way possible. .
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When To See The Doctor
Hemorrhoids usually just need home remedies and time to go away. If the symptoms persist for more than a couple of days or get worse, however, you should consult a doctor. If theres consistent blood appearing during bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer or other bowel diseases like Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis.
There Are Two Types Of Hemorrhoids:
- Internal Hemorrhoids
- External Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids develop inside of the anal cavity. It is impossible to see this type of hemorrhoid, unlike external hemorrhoids which are visible in the mirror as they develop outside of the anal sphincter. In some situations, it is possible to feel the presence of an internal hemorrhoid just inside the anal cavity, but you cant always depend on this.
If you have never had hemorrhoids before, then you may have a few questions as to the specifics of the condition. Here is a quick guide to how to determine whether or not you have hemorrhoids with answers to a couple of frequently asked questions.
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Your Hemorrhoid Physician Knows Best
To be completely and one hundred percent sure that the rectal discomfort you are experiencing is from the common anorectal disorder of piles, you should consider making an appointment with your GP.
Your primary care physician will have you describe the symptoms you are experiencing in detail, and if it is still unclear, additional examinations can be conducted.
Piles are a widely experienced rectal condition, and depending on other factors and criteria you may meet as a patient, your GP will be able to determine if what you have is piles.
If you are of a certain age, your GP may request a colonoscopy to ensure that the symptoms are not indicative of a more serious gastrointestinal disorder.
A colonoscopy is required for patients at the age of fifty, the same time in which piles become more prevalent.
Physicians often want to be sure that these symptoms are not conflated with colon cancer by conducting a colonoscopy.
For many cases, a visual examination suffices to determine if the symptoms described are in fact, hemorrhoids.
Your GP will examine the rectal area to check for physical indications of piles.
Try a Hemorrhoid Supplement for Relief
In combination with the symptoms the patient is experiencing, doctors can easily piece together the actual cause, especially with the aid of a visual exam.
Your GP doctor may want to:
- Conduct a visual or digital exam
- Order a colonoscopy
- Advise you to change your diet
- Recommend a fibre supplement
Hemorrhoids Are Common So Dont Be Shy About Seeking Relief
Most people dont want to talk about hemorrhoids. But keeping silent could stand in the way getting relief for a condition thats very common. And your doctor certainly doesnt mind addressing the topic of hemorrhoids. In fact, they want to discuss your symptoms. Because what you think is a hemorrhoid could be something more serious. Its best to get your hemorrhoids checked out early, for your peace of mind and to protect your health.Doctors have seen and heard everything, so you dont have to feel embarrassed when talking about hemorrhoids especially since nearly half of all adults experience them by age 50, says Dr. Christopher Buzas, a colorectal surgeon at Geisinger. However, its essential to get a medical diagnosis to rule out other conditions, like colon cancer or irritable bowel syndrome, and not rely on your own opinion about whats causing the problem.
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What Is Stapled Hemrroidectomy
The following are pictures of the stapled hemorrhoidectomy procedure.
- Picture of Hollow Tube Inserted into the Anal Canal and Pushing up the Hemorrhoids
- Picture of Internal Hemorrhoids in Anal Canal
- Picture of Suturing the Anal Canal through the Hollow Tube
- Picture of Bringing Expanded Hemorrhoidal Supporting Tissue into the Hollow Tube by pulling On Suture
- Picture of Hemorrhoids Pulled Back Above Anal Canal after Stapling and Removal of Hemorrhoidal Supporting Tissue