If You Notice Bleeding Before During Or After Bowel Movements
If you notice blood before, during, or after bowel movements, you should seek medical care. Bleeding during bowel movements may be associated with hemorrhoids, but it could also be . Call your doctor so you can get an accurate diagnosis and rule out anything life-threatening. Your doctor can help you identify and address the cause of your bleeding. And if its hemorrhoids, they can offer treatment, relief, and suggestions to help you prevent hemorrhoids from recurring.
Why Do Hemorrhoids Bleed
Even though internal, external, and thrombosed hemorrhoids are all slightly different, one of the commonalities between them is possible bleeding as a symptom. Bleeding can occur for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is due to straining during a bowel movement when swollen, inflamed hemorrhoids are subjected to excessive straining, the surface of the hemorrhoid can become damaged and start to bleed. This can also happen when a person is constipated and has dry, hard stools. Because of pressure from pooling blood, thrombosed hemorrhoids can actually burst and cause significant bleeding as well.
Preventing And Treating Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoid symptoms often settle down after a few days, without needing treatment. Haemorrhoids that occur during pregnancy often get better after giving birth.
- gradually increasing the amount of fibre in your diet good sources of fibre include fruit, vegetables, wholegrain rice, wholewheat pasta and bread, pulses and beans, seeds, nuts and oats
- drinking plenty of fluid particularly water, but avoiding or cutting down on caffeine and alcohol
- not delaying going to the toilet ignoring the urge to empty your bowels can make your stools harder and drier, which can lead to straining when you do go to the toilet
- avoiding medication that causes constipation such as painkillers that contain codeine
- exercising regularly can help prevent constipation, reduce your blood pressure and help you lose weight
These measures can also reduce the risk of haemorrhoids returning, or even developing in the first place.
Medication that you apply directly to your back passage or tablets bought from a pharmacy or prescribed by your GP may ease your symptoms and make it easier for you to pass stools.
There are various treatment options for more severe haemorrhoids. One of these options is banding, which is a non-surgical procedure where a very tight elastic band is put around the base of the haemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. The haemorrhoid should fall off after about a week.
Read more about treating haemorrhoids and surgery for haemorrhoids.
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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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How To Treat Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Though its not a very pleasant topic to think about, the fact is that hemorrhoids are one of the most common gastrointestinal problems. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 1 in 20 Americans will develop hemorrhoids at some point during their life. For most people, though, getting hemorrhoids is a temporary problem that isnt much of a cause for concern. Sometimes the problem is more severe and the hemorrhoids cause rectal bleeding in those cases, a more proactive treatment approach is usually necessary.
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When Hemorrhoid Surgery May Be Necessary
Very few people fewer than 10 percent of all adults who see a doctor because of symptomatic hemorrhoids will require a surgical operation.
Surgery to remove hemorrhoids is called a hemorrhoidectomy.
Your doctor may recommend a hemorrhoidectomy if:
- You have large external hemorrhoids
- You have both internal and external hemorrhoids
- An internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed
- You have excessive bleeding
In a hemorrhoidectomy, the doctor makes a small incision to remove the hemorrhoid and surrounding tissue before closing the wound with stitches.
A hemorrhoidectomy is performed in an operating room and can be done under general anesthesia, in which you are unconscious and unable to feel pain.
Hemorrhoidectomy is associated with postoperative pain, but the procedure is successful for 95 percent of cases.
More recently, another option aimed at avoiding the postoperative pain of a hemorrhoidectomy has become available, called a stapled hemorrhoidopexy. A circular stapling device pulls the hemorrhoidal tissue upward and to its normal position, stapling it in place. The staples eventually fall out over time.
According to a study published in the journal Techniques in Coloproctology, in the long term, patient satisfaction, resolution of symptoms, quality of life, and functional outcome appeared similar among patients after stapled hemorrhoidopexy and hemorrhoidectomy. But other sources note that stapling has been associated with a greater risk of recurrence and rectal prolapse.
Do I Need Any Tests For Piles
If you think that you may have piles, or have bleeding, pain or discomfort from your back passage when passing a stool, you should contact your doctor.
Piles are usually diagnosed after your doctor asks you questions about your symptoms and performs a physical examination. The examination usually includes an examination of your back passage. Wearing gloves and using a lubricant, your doctor will examine your back passage with their finger to look for any signs of piles or other abnormalities.
Your doctor may suggest a further examination called a proctoscopy. In this procedure, the inside of your back passage is examined using an instrument called a proctoscope. You may be referred to a specialist for more detailed bowel examination to help rule out other conditions.
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Hemorrhoids In Patients With Cirrhosis Or Portal Hypertension
A clinician must differentiate bleeding hemorrhoids form bleeding anorectal varices because the latter can be managed by suture ligation along the course of varices, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, or pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension. Since a majority of bleeding hemorrhoids in such patients is not life threatening, conservative measure with the correction of any coagulopathy is a preferential initial approach. Of note, rubber band ligation is generally contraindicated in patients with advanced cirrhosis due to the risk of profound secondary bleeding following the procedure. Injection sclerotherapy is an effective and safe procedure for treating bleeding hemorrhoids in this situation. In a refractory case, suture ligation at the bleeder is advised. Hemorrhoidectomy is indicated when bleeding hemorrhoids are refractory to other approaches.
Diagnosis For Bleeding Hemorrhoids
A licensed healthcare professional can help diagnose bleeding hemorrhoids. To get the diagnosis, your doctor may have you undergo a physical examination and:
- Rectal examination, where a doctor uses a gloved finger to check inside your rectum.
- Colonoscopy, where a doctor places a long flexible tube with a tiny camera into your rectum to examine the entire colon.
There are two types of hemorrhoids:
- Internal hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids hidden inside the rectum are called internal hemorrhoids. These are usually painless but can cause bleeding when you use the bathroom.
- External hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that you can see or feel are called external hemorrhoids. These are usually more painful because the skin becomes irritated and eroded.
A health care provider will help you determine what kind of hemorrhoids you have and discuss the best treatment options.
- Fibersupplements to help soften your stool
- Laxatives to help you make healthy stools
Over-the-counter creams and rectal suppositories may be another option to treat a bleeding hemorrhoid. These can help relieve pain, itching, and inflammation temporarily:
Minimally invasive treatments
In some cases, if symptoms dont subside, your doctor may recommend you undergo a minimally invasive treatment. This could include a rubber band ligation where the doctor places bands around the internal hemorrhoid to restrict the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. This treatment is successful in 7080% of cases.
Surgery
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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.
Hemorrhoids In Immunocompromised Patients
In general any intervention or operation should be avoided, or performed with a careful consideration in immunocompromised patients because of an increases risk of anorectal sepsis and poor tissue healing in such cases. A conservative measure is the mainstay for the treatment of hemorrhoids in this group of patients. If required, injection sclerotherapy appeared to be a better and safer alternative to banding and hemorrhoidectomy for treating bleeding hemorrhoids. Antibiotic prophylaxis is always given before performing any intervention, even a minor office-based procedure, due to the possibility of bacteremia.
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When To See Your Healthcare Provider
While rectal bleeding is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, it can also be a symptom of other conditions, including ones that are more serious. Do not assume rectal bleeding or pain is due to hemorrhoids without confirmation from a healthcare provider.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have rectal bleeding and:
- It is the first time you are experiencing rectal bleeding.
- There is a change in bowel habits, weight loss, and/or abdominal pain.
- Your symptoms get worse.
- There is more blood than usual.
- Your symptoms aren’t responding to home treatment within a week.
- You have concerns.
Prevention Of Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can’t always be prevented, but practicing the measures used to treat existing hemorrhoids may also prevent them, or stop them from getting worse. These include:
- Eating a high-fiber diet with plenty of non-caffeinated, nonalcoholic liquids
- Avoiding straining, such as during a bowel movement or heavy lifting
- Avoiding sitting on the toilet for long periods
- Using the toilet as soon as you feel the urge
- Establishing a regular bowel routine, such as using the toilet at the same time each day
- Using a pillow to avoid sitting on hard surfaces
- Exercising regularly to stimulate bowel movement
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When Is It Time To Seek Medical Care For Hemorrhoids
Drinking more water, eating more fiber, and taking over-the-counter medications may help hemorrhoids to resolve on their own at home. However, often a doctor can help you get effective relief faster than you might on your own. And, in some cases, your symptoms could indicate a condition more serious than hemorrhoids. Thats why its always better to be safe than sorry and get your hemorrhoids evaluated sooner rather than later.
Difference Between Internal And External Hemorrhoid
Internal hemorrhoids are much more painful than external hemorrhoids. They are usually not visible to the eye as it occurs inside the body. One of the most common symptoms of internal hemorrhoids is rectal bleeding. You will notice the blood in the toilet bowl or the toilet paper. It is usually bright red in color.
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How Are Hemorrhoids Treated
Your healthcare provider will create a care plan for you based on:
- Your age, overall health, and past health
- How serious your case is
- Whether you have internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, or both
- How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
- If your condition is expected to get worse
- What you would like to do
The main goal of treatment is to reduce your symptoms. This may be done by:
- Sitting in plain, warm water in a bathtub several times a day
- Using ice packs to reduce swelling
- Using hemorrhoid creams or medicines inserted into your rectum
Your healthcare provider may also suggest that you add more fiber and fluids to your diet to help soften your stools. Having softer stools means you don’t have to strain during bowel movements. This reduces the pressure on your hemorrhoids.
Adding more fiber to your diet means eating more:
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
How Long Do Internal Hemorrhoids Last
The life expectancy for internal hemorrhoids varies and depends on several factors. Since many internal hemorrhoids go undetected, it is often difficult to determine when internal hemorrhoids may have developed.
Once they are symptomatic, the length of their existence depends on the severity of the hemorrhoid and the method of treatment. For this reason, hemorrhoids can last for a relatively short time period such as a few days or for an extended period of a couple of months.
Grade I hemorrhoids do not move outside of the rectum. Although it is difficult to tell how long they have been in existence, they often resolve quickly .
Grade II internal hemorrhoids protrude out of the rectum, but spontaneously retract on their own. They can be resolved in a week with home remedies or over-the-counter treatments.
Grade III internal hemorrhoids protrude out of the rectum but can be manually pushed back into place. Depending on the method of hemorrhoid treatment, they can last a few weeks to a month, or even more.
Grade IV internal hemorrhoids are the most serious and often require medical treatment or surgery. These remain outside of the rectum. They often require hemorrhoid surgery and can take a month or more to resolve. See a hemorrhoid doctor if you have a grade IV internal hemorrhoid.
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When Should I See My Doctor
Haemorrhoids often go away without any treatment. However, if you notice blood when you have a bowel motion, it is important to get checked out by a doctor, to make sure your symptoms are not a sign of something more serious. The symptoms of haemorrhoids can be very similar to those of bowel cancer.
Tell your doctor if you have noticed:
- blood or mucus in your stools
- changes in your bowel habits or movements
- changes in the colour of your stools
- recent weight loss
Will Severe Hemorrhoids Go Away
If your hemorrhoids are considered severe, chances are you might need medical intervention from your doctor to get them to go away.
Most hemorrhoid doctors are either a proctologist or a gastroenterologist.
While you can treat your severe hemorrhoids at home to achieve temporary relief, there are surgical options available to you that your doctor can further expound upon.
Hemorrhoid flare-ups are known to subside even without treatment within a few days.
Severe hemorrhoids, however, could persist.
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How To Stop Severe Hemorrhoids
There are many surgical solutions to severe hemorrhoids.
One of the most common surgeries for severe internal hemorrhoids is rubber band ligation, in which a band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. The hemorrhoid then dies from lack of blood flow.
Hemorrhoidectomy, a standard surgery for persistent and severe hemorrhoids, requires anesthesia to remove the entire hemorrhoid.
While this is the most dramatic approach to solving hemorrhoid problems, it is also one of the most effective.
Newer forms of hemorrhoidectomy involve the stapling of the supporting tissues to prevent internal hemorrhoids from prolapsing.
There are also other methods like the use of laser therapy for internal hemorrhoids or chemical agents that can be injected into an external hemorrhoid to encourage shrinkage.
Hemorrhoids are an all too common problem, but there are many different options including these surgical methods that can help prevent flare-ups of external and internal hemorrhoids.
The best factor you can implement in stopping hemorrhoids is through a fibrous diet, exercise, and plenty of water.
While severe hemorrhoids may require surgical intervention, a change in diet and lifestyle can be of immense relief and aid in the prevention of hemorrhoids.
What About Strangulated Or Thrombosed Piles
Strangulated or thrombosed haemorrhoids are uncommon but usually very painful. You may need to be referred for assessment in hospital. Treatments usually include bed rest, medication for pain relief, hot baths, ice packs and keeping your stools soft . Surgery may be needed to remove the haemorrhoid.
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Courtesy of Amazon
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We recommend Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment and it’s our top overall choice because it treats a variety of symptoms. It contains lidocaine to numb the pain, phenylephrine to shrink the enlarged veins, and a handful of soothing ingredients like aloe vera and horse chestnut to calm itching and inflammation.
We also like that Doctor Butler’s is formulated as an ointment to help moisturize and protect the painful fissures that often occur with hemorrhoids. Plus, the package includes “finger cots” for easy and mess-free applications.
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