Who Do I See About Hemorrhoids

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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What Are Possible Complications Of Hemorrhoids

Complications of hemorrhoids are rare. If they do happen, they may include:

• Strangulation. Arteries feeding fresh blood to the hemorrhoid can become blocked, preventing blood supply from reaching the hemorrhoid. This can cause extremely intense and unbearable pain.
• Anemia. If hemorrhoids bleed too much, this can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, and dizziness due to loss of blood.
• Prolapse. Prolapsed hemorrhoids can cause pain or discomfort when you sit or pass a bowel movement.
• Blood clots. Thrombosis is more likely to be a complication of an external hemorrhoid. Blood clots can cause pain and itching that can become severe.
• Infection. Bacteria can get into hemorrhoids that are bleeding and infect the tissue. Untreated infections can sometimes cause serious complications, like tissue death, abscesses, and fever.

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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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Hemorrhoid Surgeons In Nashville Tn

356 24th Ave. North | Suite 400 | Nashville, TN 37203TEL 615.329.7887 FAX 615.340.4537

FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALISTS OF NASHVILLE4230 Harding Pike | Suite 202 | Nashville, TN 37205TEL 615.662.6676 FAX 615.662.8371

300 20th Ave. North | Suite 301 | Nashville, TN 37203TEL 615.284.2400 FAX 615.284.4644

4230 Harding Pike | Suite 525 | Nashville, TN 37205TEL 615.385.1547 FAX 615.297.9161

3443 Dickerson Pike | Suite 600 | Nashville, TN 37207TEL 615.865.0700 FAX 615.865.0701

4322 Harding Pike | Suite 326 | Nashville, TN 37205TEL 615.620.7800 FAX 615.620.7805

397 Wallace Rd. | Suite 301 | Nashville, TN 37211TEL 615.425.0550 FAX 615.833.8287

4535 Harding Pike | Suite 304 | Nashville, TN 37205TEL 615.269.9007 FAX 615.269.3448

356 24th Ave. North | Suite 300 | Nashville, TN 37203TEL 615.301.5264 FAX 615.340.4537

85 White Bridge Rd | 2nd Floor | Nashville, TN 37205TEL 615.938.7545 FAX 615.938.7546

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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.

Dietary Changes And Self Care

If constipation is thought to be the cause of your haemorrhoids, you need to keep your stools soft and regular, so that you don’t strain when passing stools.

You can do this by increasing the amount of fibre in your diet. Good sources of fibre include wholegrain bread, cereal, fruit and vegetables.

You should also drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine .

When going to the toilet, you should:

• avoid straining to pass stools, because it may make your haemorrhoids worse
• use moist toilet paper, rather than dry toilet paper, or baby wipes to clean your bottom after passing a stool
• pat the area around your bottom, rather than rubbing it

Read more about preventing constipation.

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Maintaining A Healthy Weight

Being overweight is another factor that may contribute to the development of haemorrhoids. You can lose weight by exercising regularly, eating a low-fat diet and moderating your alcohol intake.

More information about food and nutrition is available in our healthy eating section and from the Nutrition Australia website.

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.

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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

About Author: David Pruitt

David Pruitt is a writer for the Marketing & Communications division of OSF HealthCare. He has a bachelors of journalism from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and worked as a reporter before joining OSF HealthCare in 2014. An avid golfer and fisherman, David was born and raised Alton, Illinois, which is where he currently resides with his son, James.

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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.

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

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How To Find A Hemorrhoids Doctor Near Me

There are many ways to find a hemorrhoid doctor in your area. For starters, your primary care physician is a great place to start.

Not only can they treat your hemorrhoids, they can refer you to a specialist if there is a need.

Because some insurance companies require a referral to cover the expenses associated with specialists, you may be required to see your general practitioner first.

Although hemorrhoids are extremely common, most patients dont like to talk about the fact that they have them.

Close family members you are comfortable with may have suggestions for a hemorrhoid doctor.

If you dont feel comfortable talking to a family member about hemorrhoid treatment, there are many online websites that review medical providers.

Search for hemorrhoid doctors near me online. Online review sites like Yelp and Google can show real reviews from patients who have experience working directly with the provider you are looking at.

Do some research on the provider and their medical practice.

You want to find a hemorrhoid doctor that has both the ability to treat your condition effectively and the experience to give you the confidence in your provider.

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Continue Learning About Hemorrhoids

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

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Who To See For Hemorrhoids

In most cases, your or primary care physician can help you manage hemorrhoids. However, if the hemorrhoids are severe, you may need to see a hemorrhoid doctor, such as a or a . These providers can provide more advanced hemorrhoid treatment, such as:

• Rubber band ligation: A surgeon places a special medical-grade rubber band round the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood circulation. Within a week, the end of the hemorrhoid shrivels and falls off, leaving behind scar tissue.

• : This is an out-patient surgical procedure to remove the hemorrhoids.

• Hemorrhoid stapling: Used primarily for internal hemorrhoids, this procedure uses a stapling tool that removes tissue.

• Sclerotherapy: This involves an injection of a chemical solution directly into the hemorrhoid to shrink it.

• Infrared photocoagulation: Used only for internal hemorrhoids, this procedure directs an infrared light towards the tissue to cause scars, which block blood flow to the hemorrhoids.

• Electrocoagulation: Similar to infrared photocoagulation, this procedure uses electric current to cause scar tissue.

Some people may be embarrassed to speak with their doctor about hemorrhoids, but the condition is so common that your doctor wont be surprised if you bring it up. Theres no need to live with the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Prompt treatment will allow you to live your life more comfortably.

What Causes Haemorrhoids

Many cases are thought to be caused by too much straining on the toilet, due to prolonged constipation this is often due to a lack of fibre in a person’s diet. Chronic diarrhoea can also make you more vulnerable to getting haemorrhoids.

Other factors that might increase your risk of developing haemorrhoids include:

• being overweight or obese
• age as you get older, your body’s supporting tissues get weaker, increasing your risk of haemorrhoids
• being pregnant which can place increased pressure on your pelvic blood vessels, causing them to enlarge
• having a family history of haemorrhoids
• regularly lifting heavy objects
• a persistent cough or repeated vomiting
• sitting down for long periods of time

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What Causes Hemorrhoids

Traditionally, hemorrhoids are associated with chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet all of which interfere with blood flow to and from the area, causing it to pool and enlarge the vessels. This also explains why hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, when the enlarging uterus presses on the veins.

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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How Can Drhouse Help You

DrHouse can help you to get in touch with a professional doctor within minutes. You dont have to wait weeks for an appointment, only to be told your condition is a false alarm, or that youll just have to wait it out. You can be in contact with a trained doctor, ready to help you at any time of the day.

What Is The Treatment For Hemorrhoids

Mild cases of hemorrhoids may resolve on their own in a few days.

Home treatments for hemorrhoids include:

• Drink plenty of water
• Dont strain during bowel movements
• Dont sit on the toilet for long periods
• Warm sitz baths
• Available in drugstores
• Soak the buttocks in 2 to 3 inches of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times daily
• Do not use soap, bubble bath, or other additives in the water

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What Causes Internal And External Hemorrhoids And Simple Ways To Treat Them

Hemorrhoids are usually caused by increased pressure due to pregnancy, being overweight, or straining during bowel movements. By midlife, hemorrhoids often become an ongoing complaint. By age 50, about half the population has experienced one or more of the classic symptoms, which include rectal pain, itching, bleeding, and possibly prolapse . Although hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, they can be a recurrent and painful intrusion. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do about hemorrhoids.

How Can You Prevent Hemorrhoids

Eat high-fiber foods fruits, vegetables and whole grains which softens the stool, increases its bulk and prevents the sort of straining that can cause hemorrhoids. Try to consume at least 25 to 35 g of high-fiber foods a day.

If you’re not able to keep up with the dietary intake, Dr. Dacha recommends over-the-counter fiber supplements like psyllium or methylcellulose . He also says patients can also take stool softeners like docusate sodium, which keep the stool soft and increase the number of bowel movements.

Exercise is also a good idea. In conjunction with a good diet, staying active can help prevent constipation by reducing pressure on veins, which sometimes occur from standing or sitting for long periods. Taking off excess weight that can contribute to hemorrhoids often helps.

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How A Doctor Can Help

Doctors can recommend medical treatments and procedures that can reduce or get rid of hemorrhoids. Some of these procedures can be done right in a doctors office and involve very little discomfort.

• Medicated creams/ointments. If an OTC hemorrhoid cream isnt enough, doctors can prescribe stronger creams and ointments.
• Minimally-invasive procedures. There are some minimally-invasive procedures that a doctor can do in their office or in an ambulatory surgery center that typically doesnt require anesthesia or long recovery times. Some of these procedures include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy injections, and laser/infrared coagulation treatments.
• Thrombectomy. For severe cases that develop blood clots and cause a lot of pain, your doctor can perform an external hemorrhoid thrombectomy to remove the hemorrhoid. Thrombectomies are most effective when performed no more than 72 hours after severe symptoms emerge.
• Surgery. There are several surgical options available when other treatments and procedures havent worked or if you have very large hemorrhoids. If youve struggled to find relief, talk to your doctor to learn if surgery is right for you.