What Dr To See For Hemorrhoids

When Should You Call Your Doctor

Common symptoms of hemorrhoids may be a sign of other serious health problems. Colon or rectal cancer and other conditions have many of the same symptoms as hemorrhoids. Call your doctor if you have symptoms like these:

• Stools are black or tarry.
• A lump or bulge that is not tender and does not go away develops at the anal opening.

If you have hemorrhoids, call your doctor if:

• Moderate rectal pain lasts longer than 1 week after home treatment.
• Pain or swelling is severe.
• Tissue from inside the body bulges from the anus and does not return to normal after 3 to 7 days of home treatment.
• A lump inside the anus becomes bigger or more painful.

If rectal bleeding becomes heavy or changes colour , or if stools change size, shape, or colour , be sure to see your doctor.

Complications Of Rectal Prolapse

• Ulcers in the rectum. These can lead to bleeding.
• A prolapse that cant be pushed back into the rectum. Emergency treatment is necessary in this case because the blood supply to the prolapse will be cut off, resulting in pain.
• Damage to the muscles and nerves in the sphincter. These can worsen fecal incontinence.

Eat A High Fiber Diet And Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Fiber is excellent for your health in many ways! Hemorrhoids are generally caused by strain on the blood vessels in the anus and rectum. Your first line of defense is to reduce the amount of pressure you put on your body while defecating. If youre not getting enough fiber in your diet, you may want to consider high-fiber supplements.

Fiber keeps your stool softas long as youre drinking enough water. If you are dehydrated, your lower intestine will remove the water it needs from your stool, leaving it compact and difficult to evacuate.

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How Do You Know If You Have Hemorrhoids

The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are:

• Anal pain/painful bowel movements
• Rectal bleeding
• Itchiness
• Swelling around the anus

However, these symptoms could also be a sign of something more serious, like anal cancer or polyps. Hemorrhoids also have many symptoms in common with anal fissures, which occur when the skin around the anus is torn. Anal fissures tend to be much more painful than hemorrhoids, however.

Even if youre fairly certain youre dealing with hemorrhoids, its still a good idea to go see a doctor to rule out any serious conditions, especially if youre over the age of 50.

Choosing A Doctor To Treat Your Hemorrhoids

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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When To See A Doctor About Your Hemorrhoids

A Centre of Excellence for Piles Treatment

It is understandable that people usually dont talk about hemorrhoids openly due to embarrassment. The same problem exists when a person thinks about seeing a doctor. Talking to a doctor about hemorrhoids may seem awkward, but it is important to open up about your problem to find the best solution. Seeing a doctor is usually recommended when piles symptoms appear and dont go away for more than a week. In most people, hemorrhoids resolve on their own. But if your condition doesnt improve within a week, you should immediately see a doctor for piles.

Even though hemorrhoids dont always require surgical treatment, consulting a doctor is essential to prevent the condition from advancing. The doctor will diagnose the disease and determine how serious it is. The treatment method is chosen according to the severity of the hemorrhoids. Read ahead to find out when and who you should see for hemorrhoids.

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:

Read Also: What Should You Do For Hemorrhoids

Read Also: Can I Go To Urgent Care For Hemorrhoids

When Should You Go To The Doctor For Hemorrhoids

Again, before assuming that your condition is hemorrhoids, its a good idea to see your doctor for an examination. After all, its difficult to take a look for yourself. If there is any bleeding, severe pain or fecal incontinence , you should definitely see the doctor. A large amount of bleeding or the sudden onset of severe pain means you should seek medical treatment immediately.

When Should I See My Doctor

See your doctor if you start to notice pain and discomfort around your anus, especially when you sit or have a bowel movement.

Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any drastic worsening of your symptoms or any of these other symptoms, especially if theyre interfering with your daily activities:

Also Check: Where Are Your Hemorrhoids Located

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.

Which Illnesses Do Hemorrhoid Specialists Treat

There are two different types of hemorrhoids that can exist together, namely:

• internal hemorrhoids, which will be located in the lower rectum
• external hemorrhoids, which can occur under the skin immediately around the anus itself.

The most discomforting type are the external hemorrhoids because the overlying skin in this area, which is sensitive to pain and temperature, can soon become irritated and tends to wear away. If a blood clot should then form inside an external hemorrhoid, the pain is often sudden and can be severe. There may be a lump in the anal area, which can be felt or seen. The clot then typically dissolves, leaving a skin tag which may often itch or become irritated.

Unlike the external type, internal hemorrhoids are typically painless, even if they produce bleeding. Thus, you may notice bright red blood on the toilet paper, or else blood dripping into the toilet bowl. In addition, internally forming hemorrhoids can also prolapse, and thus extend beyond the anus. This can result in a number of potential problems because a protruding hemorrhoid may then collect microscopic stool particles and small amounts of mucus. This may then cause an irritation, which is called pruritus ani, and constantly wiping in an effort to relieve the itching may simply make the problem worse.

Based on the degree of prolapse, a standard medical classification recognises the following four grades of prolapsed hemorrhoid:

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How Serious Are My Hemorrhoids

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, but typically,doctors will recommend conservativeoptions first.

Mild or occasional rectal bleeding may respond to changes in dietary habits, like upping your dietary fiber and drinking more water, Dr. Zutshi says. For periodic anal irritation caused by inflamed hemorrhoids, over-the-counter skin protective creams and warm sitz baths may help.

There are also some simple, in-office treatments for mild, on-and-off bleeding from internal hemorrhoids. Rubber band ligation is a commonly used procedure that involves placing little rubber bands above a hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. The hemorrhoid then shrinks and falls off.

This procedure is usually only used on smaller hemorrhoids,Dr. Zutshi explains. But larger internal hemorrhoids can still be easilytreated with minimally invasive surgery.

If the issue is large internal and external hemorrhoids, a more invasive surgery might be necessary. However, if its only skin tags, which are residual hemorrhoid tags, these are usually not treated, Dr. Zutshi says, as trimming them off is very painful, and residual bulges may still persist.

Occasionally, external hemorrhoids become very painful whenthey develop a clot in them, she explains. This is called a thrombosed hemorrhoid.If you see your doctor within a few days of onset, the clots can be removed,Dr. Zutshi says. Otherwise it takes a few weeks for the swelling and pain tosettle down.

When To See A Doctor About Hemorrhoids

Talking about rectal problems like hemorrhoids can feel embarrassing. But this common problem affects an estimated 3 in 4 Americans sometime during their lifetimes half of them by the time they turn 50.

With hemorrhoids being such a widespread problem, its no surprise that local drugstores have plenty of treatments promising to help. But what if over-the-counter treatments dont help? Can medical care solve your problem and relieve your discomfort?

At Paonessa Colon & Rectal Surgery, we say, Yes. And the good news? Getting medical hemorrhoid treatment doesnt always mean you need surgery. In fact, you can rest easy knowing that most of the time, it doesnt.

Board-certified general surgeon and proctologist Nina J. Paonessa, DO, leads our team. Shes a specialist who is well-known for her medical expertise as well as her passion for making her patients feel comfortable when addressing this sometimes embarrassing condition. Dr. Paonessa is also the only female colorectal surgeon in Ocean and Monmouth counties, New Jersey.

Recommended Reading: Can Urgent Care Help With Hemorrhoids

Symptoms Of Thrombosed External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids can be felt as bulges at the anus, but they usually cause few of the symptoms that are typical of internal hemorrhoids.

External hemorrhoids can cause problems, however, when blood clots inside them. This is referred to as thrombosis. Thrombosis of such a hemorrhoid causes an anal lump that is

• very painful,
• tender, and
• often requires medical attention.

The thrombosed hemorrhoid may heal with scarring, and leave a tag of skin protruding in the anus. Occasionally, the tag is large, which can make anal hygiene difficult or irritate the anus. Even after such a hemorrhoid goes away, a residual skin tag may remain, and this may need to be surgically removed.

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.

Also Check: What Kind Of Doctor Removes Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid Symptoms And Diagnosis: Internal And External Hemorrhoids

Itching, pain, and bleeding in the anal area are common signs of hemorrhoids.

Itching, pain, and bleeding in the anal area are common signs of hemorrhoids.

Thinkstock

Hemorrhoids occur when veins in the skin around the anus or in the lower rectum get swollen and inflamed. Its not exactly clear what causes people to get hemorrhoids, but there are some common, accepted risk factors and conditions that lead to their development.

Aging can decrease muscle tone in the area, weakening the tissue and causing hemorrhoids to bulge, while obesity and pregnancy can increase the risk for hemorrhoids due to increased pressure on tissue in the area.

Repeated straining to make a bowel movement, as well as constipation, are also associated with hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are generally not dangerous or life-threatening, but they may be painful.

When Do Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

Your hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with anyone, even your doctor. But hemorrhoids are common and affect 5% of adults in the United States every year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Its estimated, in fact, that as many as three in four adults will experience problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Though you can find many treatments for hemorrhoids at your local pharmacy, home remedies dont help everyone. At Rivas Digestive Center, located in Hollywood, Florida, our expert gastroenterologist, Dr. John Rivas, wants you to know when its time to get medical help for your hemorrhoids.

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The Right Doctor For The Right Procedure

Its also important that you search your insurances website for doctors that are within your network. This will help prevent out-of-network charges and other out-of-pocket fees. When you have a list of doctors, its a good idea to meet with them to determine if they are right for you and your needs.

Its a good idea to ask friends and family if they have had experience with these doctors to get an idea of their experience as well as research the doctors license and any potential complaints against them.

Depending on the severity of the hemorrhoids, the doctor you pick depends on their specialty:

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 Kind Of Doctor Do I Need To See For My Hemorrhoids

A number of medical practitioners and doctors are all experienced and qualified to manage your hemorrhoids.

You may speak to the following types of medical professionals or doctors for hemorrhoids:

• General Practicioner
• General Surgeon
• Gynecologist

For Pregnant mothers who are prone to experiencing hemorrhoids in their third trimester, a Gynecologist may be the best person to visit considering these hemorrhoids are most likely present due to the increased pressure of pregnancy on the rectal and anal muscles.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy can be very difficult to deal with. If you are pregnant with hemorrhoids, worry not, our hemorrhoids during pregnancy guide will help you manage your hemorrhoids in the best possible way.

Depending on the treatment, surgery may or may not be required.

A Colorectal surgeon or Proctologist may be required in severe cases that require operating on your hemorrhoids.

Most of these procedures can be performed in the doctors office to help shrink or remove the hemorrhoids.

Laser hemorrhoid surgery is also an option for your hemorrhoids, and you will want to make sure you choose an experienced hemorrhoid doctor when opting for laser hemorrhoid surgery.

Whom Do Hemorrhoids Affect

Although most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, almost everyone has them. Hemorrhoids help control bowel movements. Hemorrhoids cause problems and can be considered abnormal or a disease only when the hemorrhoidal clumps of vessels enlarge.

Hemorrhoids occur in almost everyone, and an estimated 75% of people will experience enlarged hemorrhoids at some point. However only about 4% will go to a doctor because of hemorrhoid problems. Hemorrhoids that cause problems are found equally in men and women, and their prevalence peaks between 45 and 65 years of age.

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About Dr David Heiman

Dr. David R. Heiman is Endoscopy Medical Director and a gastroenterologist at Florida Medical Clinics North Tampa location. He specializes in treating patients with conditions like hemorrhoids, IBS, GERD, and hepatitis, as well as performing endoscopies and colon cancer screenings. Dr. Heiman is dedicated to helping patients find treatment plans that work best for them and that address all of their medical concerns.

Will My Doctor Use A Colonoscopy To Diagnose My Hemorrhoid

If your doctor feels something unusual or wants to look further to ensure accuracy in their diagnosis, they may perform a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy gives your doctor the ability to examine your entire colon. A colonoscopy is performed at a medical treatment center or hospital under anesthesia.

During the procedure, your doctor will insert a small medical camera into the rectum to look closer at what is going on inside the rectum.

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