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.
Why Do Hemorrhoids Often Itch
Your anus is a very sensitive area, and when something isnt right down there, it can lead to inflammation and itchiness. In the case of hemorrhoids, the internal type can drag mucus from the rectum along if they slip outside your anus.
If the hemorrhoid stays prolapsed it may continue to secrete mucus. Your anus can find the mucus incredibly irritating, and this is what creates that unpleasant itchy sensation. Often the itch is made worse when the mucus and your stools combine as you poop.
What Type Of Doctor Should I See For Hemorrhoids
If your hemorrhoids do not respond to fiber, lubrication, warm baths, and hemorrhoid cream you should see a specialist in the non-operative care of hemorrhoids. Many gastroenterology specialist or gastroenterologist have been trained to use our CRH ORegan ligation system. They are experts in Colonoscopy and managing many GI problems. They will not be able to remove external hemorrhoids. Colorectal surgeons have many years of training in complex colon and rectal problems and are experts in colon surgery. Their interest in hemorrhoids varies. Some of them tend to recommend surgery for cases we can cure with our non-operative treatment.
Proctologist is another word for doctors who specialize in rectal conditions and they are frequently also colorectal surgeons. Our doctors are board certified surgeons with many years of experience treating patients with hemorrhoids and anal fissures. We have developed the expertise to help you get the relief you deserve without surgery using the CRH ORegan ligation system.
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What Is The Recovery Time For Hemorrhoid Laser Surgery
A: Most people leave the hospital on the same day after their laser surgery. Though typically, the recovery time tends to vary between one and three weeks.
This is one of the biggest advantages of haemorrhoid laser surgery not only does it reduce the recovery time, but it also eases accompanying pain considerably.
Its a proven fact that patients experience less pain after a laser procedure than they do with standard cold scalpel surgeries. However, if you are in pain, you can try common pain relief medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Want to know if getting laser surgery for your haemorrhoids is the right move? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.
Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
As a first line of treatment, your doctor may recommend the following home treatments and techniques.
- Add high fiber foods to your diet.
- Take mild stool softeners or fiber supplements.
- Drink plenty of water and other clear fluids.
- Manage pain or itching with over-the-counter medications, creams, or ointments.
- Take a warm water bath or sitz bath .
- Use a warm compress to help soothe the affected area.
- Avoid spending a lot of time sitting on the toilet.
- Avoid straining/pushing with bowel movements
If your symptoms persist or worsen after one week of home treatments, visit your healthcare provider.
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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:
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.
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Eat A High Fiber Diet
Unless you have other medical problems that dictate a special diet, the best treatment for hemorrhoids is a high fiber diet. Eat fewer processed foods and more nuts, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables to help avoid constipation. A stool softener or fiber supplement may also alleviate hemorrhoid issues. Beware of laxatives because diarrhea is a side effect, and this irritates hemorrhoids more.
Try to drink 8 glasses of water every day. Its critical that you introduce new foods gradually so that you avoid gas. If your doctor recommends surgery or prescription medicine, youll likely still need to make dietary changes.
Procedure For Prolapse And Hemorrhoids
PPH is also called a stapled hemorrhoidectomy. The doctor will use a stapler-like device to reposition the hemorrhoids and cut off their blood supply. Without blood, theyll eventually shrivel and die.
It can treat hemorrhoids that have and have not prolapsed, or slipped down out of the anus.
This procedure moves the hemorrhoid to where there are fewer nerve endings, so it hurts less than a traditional hemorrhoidectomy. Youll also recover faster and have less bleeding and itching. And there are generally fewer complications.
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What Will Happen At My Visit
Your first appointment involves a consultation, making a diagnosis of your problem with a rectal examination, and formulating a treatment plan. Appropriate medical therapy will be started. You will be shown how the banding procedure works and be given time to have your questions answered. Banding may be started on your second visit. Also we suggest you allot up to an hour for your first visit. Subsequent treatment sessions will be shorter, around 20 minutes. There are on average three banding visits and a fourth follow up exam. After a hemorrhoid banding procedure, we recommend that you refrain from vigorous activities the rest of the day and resume full activity the next day. Most patients with office jobs find they can return to work immediately following their appointment.
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.
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What Types Of Hemorrhoids Are There
- External hemorrhoids are near the opening of the anus. They may be painful, but home treatments usually work to control them.
- Internal hemorrhoids are inside the anal canal. They usually dont cause pain. But they can itch, cause a feeling of pressure, and make it hard to clean around the anus. They may also bleed or leak mucus. Sometimes they stick out of the anus.
What Can I Do To Help Prevent Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are prevalent, with up to seventy-five percent of people suffering from a case in their lifetimes. You cant prevent every case of hemorrhoids! But you can take steps to reduce the chances of having hemorrhoids in the first place, and to reduce the severity if you do get them.
There are two main strategies for hemorrhoid prevention: changing your diet and changing your lifestyle.
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Schedule An Appointment Today
Hemorrhoids are incredibly common and can be successfully managed with the right treatments. If youre concerned you have hemorrhoids or if theyre not improving, schedule an appointment with Dr. Heiman in Tampa, FL, today.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional medical advice. Always talk with your doctor before starting or stopping medications or treatments.
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.
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Hemorrhoid Home Remedies: Warm Sitz Bath
A sitz bath refers to sitting in a few inches of warm water three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes. A sitz bath may help decrease the inflammation of hemorrhoids. Drying off the anal area completely after each sitz bath is important for minimizing moisture that irritates the skin surrounding your rectal area.
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 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 Do Doctors Check For Hemorrhoids
There are many methods for diagnosing hemorrhoids. Your Doctor may be able to tell that you have an external hemorrhoid by simply looking while internal hemorrhoids can be diagnosed by using a few procedures to examine your rectum and anal canal.
One of the ways of checking for internal hemorrhoids is by digital examination .
In this procedure, your doctor will put some medical gloves on and insert a lubricated finger into your rectum.
Your doctor will then proceed to see if there is anything unusual such as lump and growths and the result from this examination will suggest if there is need for further testing.
A visual inspection may be needed in some cases as internal hemorrhoids are often very soft. During a visual exam, an anoscope, sigmidoscope or proctoscope may be used.
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Increasing Your Fibre Intake
You can gradually increase the amount of fibre in your diet by eating foods including:
- fresh fruit and vegetables
- nuts and seeds
- pulses
Commercial fibre supplements are also available and can be useful if you think you are not getting enough of the above foods in your diet.
Make sure you increase your fibre gradually so your digestive system has time to adapt.
Its also important to increase your fluid intake at the same time. This is because fibre in the stools acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture from the body. Try to drink lots of water. Cutting down on sugary drinks will also help you to cut down on calories that cause weight gain.
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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.
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When Exactly Is The Right Time To Do This
It is perfectly okay to head to your hemorrhoid doctor if you experience hemorrhoids irrespective of the extent of the pain and location of the hemorrhoid.
However, due to how common hemorrhoids are, many people will often elect to try some self-medications that are usually effective in controlling and treating the condition.
External hemorrhoids can very painful especially if they become thrombosed .
If your hemorrhoids do not shrink or relief you after a few applications with everyday solutions like Tuck pads or Witch hazel pads, it just might be time to go to see your doctor.
If you experience any type of rectal bleeding, and pass stool that look maroon in color, it is a sign of continued bleeding and a Doctor should be visited in this case also.
If you initially developed an internal hemorrhoid and the lump inside the anus enlarges or becomes more painful it is best to see a doctor.
You should also consult on your hemorrhoids when a tissue from inside the anal canal bulges out. This is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid.
If it does not return or you cannot push it back in manually, you should immediately see a doctor.
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.
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How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids: Diagnosis And Treatments
Most individuals who have hemorrhoids discover them by either
- feeling the lump of an external hemorrhoid when they wipe themselves after a bowel movement,
- noting drops of blood in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper, or
- feeling a prolapsing hemorrhoid after bowel movements.
With a history of symptoms, a physician can begin diagnosis on the basis of a careful examination of the anus and anal area. Although the physician should try his or her best to identify the hemorrhoids, it is perhaps more important to exclude other causes of hemorrhoid-like symptoms that require different treatment such as
- anal fissures,
This is true whether or not hemorrhoids are found during anoscopy.
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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