How Do I Know My Condition Warrants A Doctor Visit
This is one of the most common questions patients with hemorrhoids ask before seeing a doctor.
While all the symptoms of hemorrhoids can be irritating and leave you in serious discomfort, there are some telltale signs that you need to seek the advice of a medical professional.
Here are the signs from hemorrhoids that let you know you need to see a doctor:
- The presence of any type of rectal bleeding While this is common amongst patients with hemorrhoids, there are some underlying conditions that can present with this symptom as well. Because these conditions are more severe, it is important to have your doctor diagnose your hemorrhoids properly to eliminate the idea that there is another condition causing the bleeding.
- Pain or discomfort that cant be ignored
- Persistence of your symptoms despite at-home remedies and over-the-counter treatments
- Black, maroon, or tarry looking stool, this can be a sign of rectal bleeding
Easy Ways To Prevent Hemorrhoids
There are a number of easy, healthy ways to incorporate more fiber into your diet. Fiber-filled foods include fruits such as berries, avocados, and pears . Broccoli, artichokes, and Brussels sprouts are among the vegetables that can up your fiber intake. Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal, are also an important source. Legumes, including lentils, various beans, and green peas, are a great way to get fiber. Nuts and seeds make for a great fiber-filled snack, too.
If youre having trouble getting enough fiber in your regular diet, consider a fiber supplement.
If you experience chronic constipation and suspect that may be contributing to your hemorrhoids, avoid eating too many foods that contain little or no fiber, such as cheese and fast and processed foods.
Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Recommendations for daily water intake vary and depend on the individual, but the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has set adequate intake levels at 2.7 liters for men and approximately 3.7 liters for women. This can come from beverages and food, but caffeinated beverages and alcohol can be dehydrating and should not be counted in reaching this intake goal.
Exercise regularly. Exercise, especially 20 to 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a day, can help keep bowel movements regular. And regular exercise may help you lose weight, which may be contributing to the formation of hemorrhoids.
Other tips for preventing hemorrhoids include:
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Prevention Of Rectal Bleeding
The best way to prevent rectal bleeding is to prevent its chief causes.
People at high risk for colorectal cancer should undergo regular screenings, primarily colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer screenings can detect precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screenings can also identify colorectal cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Types Of Hemorrhoid Surgery
Surgeries for hemorrhoids can be divided into simpler, outpatient, and less invasive procedures you can do without anesthesia and more complex, inpatient surgeries.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, and whether you have complications, your doctor will determine whether you need surgery and the type of procedure best for you.
The severity of hemorrhoids is classified by grades as follows:
- Grade 1: no prolapse
- Grade 2: prolapse that goes away by itself
- Grade 3: prolapse that you have to push back in on your own
- Grade 4: prolapse that you cant push in on your own and causes you pain
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Seek An Experienced Specialist
While you want a specialist who works with the most cutting-edge treatments, you also want someone who has the experience to know what will work based on the details of your specific case. According to the American Board of Surgery, this is not a general practitioner. General practitioners may only see a few cases a year, and general surgeons may only see a few hemorrhoidectomies, fistulotomies, and other similar procedures each year. Without regularly handling these conditions, the rate of misdiagnosis or improper treatment is much higher.
This again highlights the benefits of choosing a specialist, and one who has extensive colorectal surgical experience such as that required to obtain board certification. This experience improves the outcome every step of the way, from routine screenings, to prescribing the right medical treatments, to performing surgery when necessary.
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.
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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.
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How To Soar To Self
Different Types of Hemorrhoids
There are two types of hemorrhoids: external and internal. External hemorrhoids arise from the anal canal, while internal hemorrhoids arise from the rectum, immediately above the anal canal. According to Cuckoo Choudhary, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, one type is not worse than the other, but both can cause problems. “It all depends on the size and degree of the hemorrhoid,” Dr. Choudhary says. “Untreated internal hemorrhoids can cause bleeding. External hemorrhoids can cause thrombosis , which gives way to severe pain from hemorrhoidal strangulation.”
If you know you have hemorrhoids and you have acute and severe anal pain, it could be a sign of thrombosed hemorrhoids.
Know When to See Your Doctor
Though the annoyance of hemorrhoids can be reason enough to call your doctor, use this checklist to know when a visit is a must:
- If you’re experiencing any type of rectal bleeding
- If the hemorrhoids are causing you pain or discomfort
- If the problems persist despite trying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or other remedies
- If you’re passing stools that look maroon in color or tarry in color, a sign of bleeding
If you experience a large amount of rectal bleeding that is accompanied by dizziness or faintness, be sure to seek emergency medical care immediately.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Hemorrhoids Removed
The important thing is deciding on which technique that youd wish to make use of in other remove hemorrhoids can hardly overstate. This is due to the fact the most it might be something that might just beyond your budget plan.
For example, most people whove awareness of hemorrhoids removing cost normally prefer making use of other reliable and efficient treatment processes due to the fact that they cannot afford it.
Are you struggling to get some reliable facts regarding hemorrhoids removing cost? Do you know that not finding firsthand info about such a process could make you spend a lot more than youve planned for?
What youre about to discover are reliable pieces of info regarding the cost of removing hemorrhoids when you wish to take the option of the surgery process.
Final Thoughts
Its extremely vital to note that hemorrhoid removing cost is not something thats fixed. Rather, therere forever variables that influence it to a superior extent. One of such flexible is insurance. If your insurance does cover this kind of hemorrhoids treatment then you can be completely assured that your price will be very much reduced.
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What Can My Doctor Do To Fix Hemorrhoids Can They Shrink Them
There are multiple ways a hemorrhoid doctor or general practitioner can treat hemorrhoids if they arent responding to an increase in fiber, fluids, exercise, and over-the-counter treatments. Your doctor can handle many of those treatments during a routine office visit. The doctor uses several different methods to cut off blood flow to the hemorrhoidal area, which stops bleeding and often reduces swelling, shrinking the hemorrhoid without cutting it off.
Methods include:
Are Bleeding Hemorrhoids Dangerous
For the most part, hemorrhoids are not dangerous. You may not even know you have them unless you see blood or feel a lump or stiffness around your anus.
However, do not take your hemorrhoids for granted, particularly if you have bleeding hemorrhoids. Not everything that causes blood in your stool is harmless, for example, colorectal cancer. You should see a hemorrhoid doctor or general practitioner as soon as possible.
Hemorrhoids do not cause cancer. However, cancer can cause many of the same symptoms as hemorrhoids, including bleeding.
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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.
How Does A Colorectal Surgeon Treat Hemorrhoids
With the assistance of nurses and other highly-trained medical professionals, colorectal surgeons are able to treat hemorrhoids through a myriad of techniques and specialties. If these traditional hemorrhoid treatments are unsuccessful, your colorectal surgeon may perform hemorrhoidectomy or hemorrhoid laser treatment to further treat this medical issue.
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Nonsurgical Treatment For Hemorrhoids
- Dietary planning. Your doctor may recommend that you include more water and high-fiber foods in your diet to promote good bowel habits, which can reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids.
- Medications. For mild cases of hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend treatment using creams, suppositories, ointments, or medicated pads.
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Related Conditions And Causes Of Hemorrhoids
Gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids. The prolonged sitting or straining that may occur when you’re dealing with these issues puts pressure on the hemorrhoidal tissue.
Hemorrhoids also often develop during pregnancy. This is similarly due to greater pressure in the area but can also be due to an increase in blood volume and as a result of hormonal changes that increase the likelihood of swelling. Constipation during pregnancy is a common cause of hemorrhoids.
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What Is A Hemorrhoid Specialist
A hemorrhoid specialist is a physician who specializes in treating, managing, and preventing hemorrhoids, inflammations around the anus and rectum. General practitioners, internal medicine specialists, gastroenterologists, and proctologists can all choose to pursue careers as hemorrhoid specialists. People who experience recurrent hemorrhoids may find it helpful to see a hemorrhoid specialist for more in-depth care than a regular doctor can provide.
These specialists usually handle other medical issues as well, but have received some special training in hemorrhoids and pursue continuing education to keep up with the latest advances in treatment and management. When a patient goes to a hemorrhoid specialist, the doctor will take a complete patient history, review the patients chart for more information, and conduct a physical exam. This will be used to develop a treatment plan.
Surgery For Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum and are not typically visible. They usually cause painless rectal bleeding and are graded 1 to 4 based on their extent that the swollen tissue bulges out of the anuswhats known as prolapse.
For internal hemorrhoids, the whole hemorrhoid is usually cut out and removed. This is called a conventional hemorrhoidectomy. Based on the surgeons preference, a scalpel, scissors, electrocautery , or a more advanced device may be used to remove the hemorrhoid.
A procedure called a stapled hemorrhoidopexy may also be performed to remove internal hemorrhoids. With this technique, no incision is made. Instead, the hemorrhoid is lifted and stapled back into the anal canal using a special circular stapling device.
A stapled hemorrhoidopexy may result in less post-surgical pain than the conventional approach. However, with the former, the hemorrhoids are more likely to return.
An additional option for internal hemorrhoid removal is a surgical procedure called doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal artery ligation . The surgeon inserts a special tube called an anoscope a few inches into the anus to locate each hemorrhoids arterial blood supply. This is called an anoscopy.
The blood supply is closed off in a process called ligation.
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Signs Your Hemorrhoids Warrant A Doctor’s Visit
Your doctor may also check for blood in the stool, examine the muscle tone of your anus, and perform a rectal exam to diagnose internal hemorrhoids. This is done in the doctor’s office with a gloved, lubricated finger and an anoscope . Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to rule out other causes of bleeding, especially if you are over age 40.
Look For Board Certification In Colon And Rectal Surgery
The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery holds certified surgeons to the highest standards. There are very stringent educational, experiential, and testing requirements they must meet, in addition to passing the written Qualifying examination and the oral Certifying examination from the American Board of Surgery.
A board certified specialist will have at least four years of medical school in addition to at least five years of extensive general surgery training. In addition to all that, they will also undergo an additional year or more of supervised colon and rectal specialty training in an accredited fellowship program under the supervision of a certified specialist. This translates into a much higher level of operative and treatment experience than a general practitioner.
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What Else Works For Hemorrhoids
Once you determine your hemorrhoids causes, you can begin working to prevent them from flaring up.
DIY Witch hazel extracts or medical pads work great.
They help to soothe the area, reduce swelling and inflammation with their astringent, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
We’ve compiled a list of the best hemorrhoid products below.
There are a handful of risk factors that increases ones predisposition to the condition such as constipation, pregnancies, diet and hydration, and the manifestation of hemorrhoids may appear in two to three forms.
There are many different causes of hemorrhoids, and each person may have more than one cause.
The least painful manifestation of hemorrhoids is the internal hemorrhoids that may sometimes pass without any serious hemorrhoid pain or discomfort.
There are also instances where hemorrhoids are developed externally or cases where internal hemorrhoid are pushed outward by stool or harsh physical interactions.
Severe cases are experienced when external hemorrhoids become thrombosed and treating thrombosed hemorrhoids may require incision and laceration to drain the hemorrhoid and provide hemorrhoid relief to the patient.
If your thrombosed hemorrhoid bursts and bleeds, it might bleed for 10 seconds or less. If it bleeds longer than that or there is a lot of blood you should see a doctor immediately.
Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy For Prolapsing Hemorrhoids
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is the newest addition to the armamentarium of surgical internal hemorrhoid procedures. It has several aliases, including Longo’s procedure, the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids , stapled circumferential mucosectomy, and circular stapler hemorrhoidopexy.
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is mostly used in patients with grade III and IV hemorrhoids and those who fail prior minimally invasive treatments. During stapled hemorrhoidectomy, a circular stapling device is used to excise a circumferential ring of excess hemorrhoid tissue, thereby lifting hemorrhoids back to their normal position within the anal canal.
Stapling also disrupts hemorrhoid blood supply. Studies have suggested that stapled hemorrhoidectomy results in less postoperative pain and shorter recovery compared with conventional surgery, but a higher rate of recurrence. Frequency of complications is similar to that following standard hemorrhoidectomy.
Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy
Source: Hemorrhoids:By Andrea C. Bafford, M.D. and Ronald Bleday, M.D . Version 20. Knol. 2008 Jul 28 , Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
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