Hemorrhoids result from increased pressure within veins found inside the rectum and around the anus. Symptoms may vary depending on the kind you have, but bleeding and irritation during bowel movements are common for both. There are plenty of solutions ranging from at-home treatments to surgical procedures. The treatment you require will depend on the severity of your hemorrhoids.
To better understand hemorrhoids, we’ll look at:
- What hemorrhoids are
- Symptoms of hemorrhoids
- How to treat hemorrhoids
Along the way, we’ll break them down based on what causes hemorrhoids and whether they’re internal or external. By understanding hemorrhoids better, you’re more prepared to deal with them and ensure that they never return.
What are hemorrhoids?
Also known as piles, hemorrhoids are actually very similar to varicose veins. Like varicose veins, hemorrhoids are veins that have swollen and cause discomfort. Unlike varicose veins, which occur in the lower legs and ankles, hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum or on the skin outside of the anus.
Hemorrhoids are a very common problem, especially as you get older. According to the Mayo Clinic, almost three out of every four people will experience hemorrhoids in their lifetime. Fortunately, many forms of treatment exist.
What causes hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are the result of increased pressure in veins located inside the rectum or around your anus. This pressure causes them to bulge out and create discomfort, sometimes to the point of needing to see a doctor.
While the symptoms of hemorrhoids are clear, the exact cause of the increased vein pressure within the lower rectum can vary. Hemorrhoids can result from:
- Being overweight
- Sitting on the toilet for too long
- Chronic diarrhea
- Chronic constipation
- Labored bowel movements
- Lifting heavy weight on a regular basis
- Not getting enough fiber in your diet
Another important risk factor for hemorrhoids is age. Your chance of developing hemorrhoids only increases as you get older. The veins in your anus and rectum contain supportive tissues that stretch and weaken as you age. The same thing occurs during pregnancy due to pressure on the anal region from the weight of the baby.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid symptoms will depend on the type of hemorrhoid you have. The two main types are internal and external hemorrhoids, followed by thrombosed hemorrhoids. The type of hemorrhoid you develop can affect the kind of treatment you receive, as well.
Internal Hemorrhoid Symptoms
Patients don’t usually see or feel internal hemorrhoids. Since they develop inside the rectum, internal hemorrhoid symptoms tend to reveal themselves during bowel movements. Common symptoms of internal hemorrhoids are bleeding or pain and irritation when passing stool.
Bleeding during a bowel movement is painless if it’s caused by hemorrhoids. The tip-off here will be bright red blood stains either on the tissue or in the toilet. Another sign of internal hemorrhoids is pain and irritation while passing stool. This is the result of a hemorrhoid pushing through the anus, also known as a prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoid.
External Hemorrhoid Symptoms
External hemorrhoid symptoms tend to be easier to spot since they’re easier to irritate. You may experience symptoms around your anus such as:
- Discomfort or even pain
- Itchiness or irritation
External hemorrhoids can also develop a thrombus, or clot, if blood collects inside the hemorrhoid. A thrombosed hemorrhoid can result in inflammation and swelling, severe pain, or a hard bulge near your anus.
How to Treat Hemorrhoids
Various types of treatment exist for hemorrhoids. This includes at-home treatments, THD procedure, and surgery. The treatment you choose may depend on the severity of your condition. The first sign is blood in your stool that doesn’t improve after a week. You should seek treatment immediately if you experience lightheadedness, faintness, or dizziness.
If you only experience mild pain, irritation, and swelling, then at-home treatments may be ideal. The easiest solution is to get more fiber by eating more whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Fiber helps by softening your stool and increasing its bulk, making it easier to eventually pass. Fiber supplements can also work. Just make sure to start in small amounts to avoid gas
Oral pain relievers and over-the-counter remedies are other great options for mild symptoms. Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can help relieve your pain for a while. Hemorrhoids cream and other treatments can vary in instructions and warnings, so make sure you read the directions!
When at-home treatments fail, you may have to seek medical treatment from your doctor. This can involve a minimally invasive procedure, which requires no anesthesia, or a more intensive surgical procedure, which is rare.
Along with not requiring any anesthesia, minimally invasive procedures can be done in your doctor’s office or in an outpatient facility. Your doctor may suggest rubber band ligation, where they will place rubber bands around the hemorrhoid to cut off circulation, which causes them to eventually fall off.
At Evansville Surgical Associates, we use a minimally invasive procedure called THD to treat hemorrhoids. It doesn’t require cutting, allows for faster recovery time, and results in minimal discomfort. THD makes use of a special tool that uses Doppler technology to seek out and treat hemorrhoids. It avoids nerve endings which greatly reduces pain while increasing recovery time.
Surgical procedures are best for severe and recurring hemorrhoids. This includes hemorrhoidectomy, which is the complete removal of the hemorrhoid and the best option for severe or recurring hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition. Like varicose veins, they’re the result of increased pressure within veins either inside the rectum or around the anus. Symptoms can vary depending on whether they’re internal or external, but bleeding and irritation while passing stool are both common. Treatment options include at-home treatments, minimally invasive procedures, and surgical procedures for severe or recurring hemorrhoids.
Evansville Surgical Associates has been providing comprehensive and compassionate surgical care for over 50 years. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231, or email us with any general questions or comments you may have. We are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm if you would like to schedule an appointment.