Which Doctor To See About Hemorrhoids

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.

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.

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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Hemorrhoid Treatment At Home

Hemorrhoid symptoms can be quite uncomfortable but there are several treatments you can do at home that may help relieve the pain and discomfort.

• Take a warm bath or sitz bath for 10 to 15 minutes after each bowel movement.

• Clean around your anal area gently each day with warm water.

• Do not use alcohol-based or perfumed cleaning wipes around your anus. These cause drying and irritation.

• Moisten toilet tissue before using it to clean after a bowel movement.

• Apply cold compresses to your anus.

• Use stool softeners.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

You may help prevent hemorrhoids from forming or from worsening with some lifestyle changes as well. They include:

• Dont while moving your bowels.

• Limit the amount of time sitting on the toilet.

• Increase fiber in your diet. Fiber helps give stool bulk so it can be moved through your intestines, and it also helps water remain in the stool so it doesnt get too dry and difficult to pass.

• Increase fluid intake. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water and other liquids to help keep your stool soft.

• Exercise regularly. This will help regulate and stimulate your bowels.

• Apply topical ointments. Over-the-counter creams and suppositories can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

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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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.

Feeling You Cant Empty Your Stool Completely

If you have prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, they can cause the sensation that you have stool stuck at your anus. You may also have difficulty cleaning yourself or notice a mucous discharge following a bowel movement because of the displaced tissue.

Dr. Paonessa can remedy these symptoms by treating the hemorrhoid.

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Essential Orgs For Hemorrhoid Information

This site provides a comprehensive review of what hemorrhoids are, what causes them, and how to treat them. In cases when pain is severe and hemorrhoids aren’t healing with at-home treatment, in-office treatment by a healthcare provider is necessary. This can involve surgical and nonsurgical options.

The Mayo Clinic offers trusted guidance on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhoids. You can also find answers to specific questions about home remedies and hemorrhoid treatment during pregnancy.

Prevention Of Rectal Prolapse

To prevent rectal prolapse, avoid straining during bowel movements.

• Drink plenty of water
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are high in fiber
• Exercise regularly
• Use laxatives but only as directed by your healthcare provider because of the potential risks of chronic use
• Consider bowel training, which involves having a bowel movement at the same time each day

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Discomfort Itching And Irritation In The Anal Region

Theres really no reason to try and live with your hemorrhoids until the pain becomes severe enough to disrupt your life. Many effective nonsurgical treatments exist that can resolve your hemorrhoids, including:

Infrared coagulation

The highly effective IRC method utilizes infrared light delivered via a small probe to painlessly coagulate the blood vessels supplying your hemorrhoid. As the blood flow is blocked, the enlarged hemorrhoidal tissue shrinks and your symptoms resolve.

Rubber band ligation

This method also blocks blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue, which eventually causes the hemorrhoid to wither and die. Its admittedly more painful overall than IRC and may cause bleeding, but it remains an effective, nonsurgical solution for treating hemorrhoids.

You can rely on Dr. Clemens to focus first on diagnosing your condition correctly and then recommending the most conservative and effective hemorrhoid treatment available, including tips that help prevent hemorrhoids from recurring. Schedule your appointment today at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center.

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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.

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When Should I Worry About My Hemorrhoids And See A Doctor

You should see a doctor when youre suffering from any of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding from the anus, reddish or tar-colored stools, or spots of blood on your toilet paper.
• Pain in your rectum or anus.
• Milder symptoms like itching that dont stop after a week.
• A feeling of being full in your rectum even after youve had a bowel movement.
• Leaking stool.
• Any tissue coming out of your anus .

While hemorrhoids are generally mild, you should see a doctor to at least rule out anything more serious.

Treatment And Medication Options For Rectal Prolapse

Treatment for rectal prolapse depends on the severity of your symptoms. Sometimes prolapses resolve on their own. Initially your healthcare provider might work with you to manage the constipation that might be causing the prolapse through adding fiber to your diet and keeping hydrated. Your doctor might work with you to avoid straining during bowel movements. Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles might also be advised.

If none of these strategies help, surgery is usually required especially if youre experiencing recurrent episodes.

Surgery can keep rectal prolapse from happening again. Two types of surgical procedures are typically used to treat rectal prolapse:

• Abdominal repair Surgery to fix rectal prolapse is usually done through the belly. Abdominal surgery for rectal prolapse usually involves making a small cut in the lower abdomen. The surgeon will then pull the rectum upward and attach it to a small bone in the lower back so that it cant slip out again.
• Rectal repair In this type of surgery, the surgeon works through the anus rather than making an incision in the abdomen. This surgery is often performed on older patients or those with more medical problems.

The two most common rectal procedures are:

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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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The Three Worst Things You Can Do

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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.

When To See A Doctor For Hemorrhoids

How long do hemorrhoids last? The answer to this is variable. Treatment for small hemorrhoids may work within a few days, while larger hemorrhoids may last much longer. Most hemorrhoids can be managed at home but if the or bleeding is severe you are soiling yourself with stool the hemorrhoids keep returning or you are experiencing pain, bleeding and itching from the hemorrhoids after a week, consider seeing your doctor for assessment and treatment.

Although not common, if you experience , , or large amounts of bleeding from your rectum, this is an emergency and you should seek medical help immediately.

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What Are Hemorrhoids Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention

Hemorrhoids are enlarged and swollen veins around the outside of the anus or in the lower rectum. The rectum is the last part of the bowel and leads to the anus, the opening at the end of the bowel where fecal matter leaves the body.

Everyone has hemorrhoidal tissue in this area thats made up of blood vessels, connective tissue, and some muscle. These cushions dont always become enlarged or distended, but as we age, this phenomenon becomes more common causing what we call hemorrhoids, also known as piles.

Hemorrhoids can be caused in a number of ways, most commonly by straining to make a bowel movement. Lifting heavy objects, along with other activities that may cause straining, can also lead to hemorrhoids. Experiencing increased pressure during pregnancy and being overweight are other contributing factors.

Hemorrhoids may be painful and particularly bothersome if they are recurrent, but they’re not dangerous or life-threatening, and symptoms usually go away within a few days. There are plenty of effective ways to treat them, as well as options for the less common types of hemorrhoids that may be more problematic.

Experiencing Anal Discomfort Or Irritation

You dont have to live with hemorrhoids symptoms until the pain becomes so severe it disrupts your life. Dr. Paonessa offers several effective, nonsurgical treatments that can resolve your hemorrhoids, including:

• Rubber band ligation
• Sclerosis treatment

During rubber band ligation, Dr. Paonessa blocks blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue by wrapping a rubber band around it. Within a few days, the hemorrhoid shrivels, dies, and simply drops off. With sclerosis, Dr. Paonessa injects a chemical solution into your hemorrhoid, causing the vein to collapse and wither away.

You can rely on Dr. Paonessa to focus first on accurately diagnosing your condition. Then she recommends the most conservative and effective hemorrhoid treatment available, along with tips that help prevent hemorrhoids from recurring.

Dont live with hemorrhoid discomfort contact us to schedule your appointment today at Paonessa Colon & Rectal Surgery in Brielle and Manahawkin, New Jersey.

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What Type Of Doctor Should I Go To For My Hemorrhoids And Urinary Problems

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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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Where Can I Go For Hemorrhoid Treatment

An essential initial step is to see your doctor for hemorrhoid treatment. You and your doctor can create a hemorrhoid treatment plan that is appropriate for you and your body.

Making an appointment with your doctor is especially critical if you are experiencing any rectal bleeding.

Bright red blood following a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, but it could be a sign of something more serious. Let your doctor determine if you need additional tests because after all, its better to be safe than sorry.

Many treatment options can be done in your own home. Your local drugstore carries all sorts of ointments, creams, wipes, cushions, supplements, and suppositories that are all designed for hemorrhoid relief.

These over the counter medications are effective in treating hemorrhoids, and for your convenience, can be found at nearly every type of store in your area.

If your family doctor feels it necessary, he or she will recommend or send you to a specialist. Hemorrhoids are easily treatable, but in some cases, our genetics can make this anorectal condition reluctant to respond with basic treatments, and can often produce reoccurring, life-hindering flare-ups.

Cases such as these are better to be dealt with the capable hands of a gastroenterologist or proctologist. At the first sign of hemorrhoids, however, you dont have to worry about going to see one of these specialists right away.

• Treating Hemorrhoids: From Home Remedies to Surgery

What Is Considered A Large Hemorrhoid

Hemorrhoids can be classified according to how severe they are: Grade 1: Slightly enlarged hemorrhoids that cant be seen from outside the anus. Grade 2: Larger hemorrhoids that sometimes come out of the anus, for example while passing stool or less commonly during other physical activities.

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If Youre Not Certain Your Discomfort Is Caused By Hemorrhoids

When you have bleeding, discomfort, or pain in the anal region, it could be a sign of an inflamed hemorrhoid. Or, it could indicate that something else is wrong. This is especially true if you dont have a history of hemorrhoids. Thats why its always better to play it safe and see a doctor, as they can accurately diagnose the cause of your symptoms. Its much better to have an expert confirm that you dont have something more serious like cancer than to avoid a hemorrhoid treatment just because youre uncomfortable seeking care.

We all have #Hemorrhoids, but if yours become painfully inflamed, a doctor can help. On the #LiveWellHealthy blog, colorectal surgeon Dr. Nicole Chaumont shares 5 signs that indicate you should seek care for hemorrhoids: https://bit.ly/2OQFntt.