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When Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

Northside Gastroenterology Associates, PA Blog When Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

If you have hemorrhoids, you’re not likely shouting it from the rooftops. You’re probably discreetly clearing your local drugstore’s shelves of home remedies and short-term solutions, hoping your little problem will resolve itself quietly. 

But for 1 in 20 American adults, hemorrhoids are far from a little problem. They have hemorrhoids that can’t be treated with conservative methods and eventually need medical attention, and you might be one of them. 

At Northside Gastroenterology Associates, Dr. Ayub Hussain recognizes that getting help for your hemorrhoids is as much an emotional hurdle as it is a health necessity. He’s here to give you the best information about your hemorrhoids, so you can make the right decision about your health. 

Hemorrhoid basics

Also known colloquially as piles, hemorrhoids are swollen veins that can develop internally inside your rectum or externally under the skin around your anus. 

External hemorrhoids are most noticeable and cause itching, pain, and bleeding during bowel movements, while internal hemorrhoids can go unnoticed until they eventually trigger rectal bleeding or push their way through your anal opening. 

Hemorrhoids pop up most often when you strain during bowel movements or sit on the toilet for a long period of time. Other risk factors for hemorrhoids include:

There are a few home and drugstore remedies and even lifestyle modifications that can treat your hemorrhoids, but every now and then, you need a medical professional like Dr. Hussain to intervene. 

In fact, ignoring your hemorrhoids for too long can potentially lead to more serious health issues like anemia, blood clots, or strangulated hemorrhoids, which are extremely painful.

Here are a few warning signs you should pay attention to. 

You’re bleeding

Any type of rectal bleeding is a cause for concern. The extreme strain and pressure you put on your rectum and anus when a hemorrhoid is present can tear your skin, causing further damage. 

You’re in pain

While hemorrhoids are considered low on the totem pole of health conditions, that doesn’t mean they don’t cause you serious pain and discomfort. 

This is especially true if you have external hemorrhoids that are itchy and swollen. It can even be difficult to sit comfortably for any amount of time when you leave your hemorrhoids untreated. 

There’s no reason to spend another moment in pain and discomfort when Dr. Hussain can quickly and easily get rid of your hemorrhoids. 

You’re unable to treat them conservatively

From over-the-counter pain medications to topical treatments, you can use everything in your kitchen and medicine cabinets on your hemorrhoids and still not feel relief. 

If your hemorrhoids persist after a week of at-home treatments, call Dr. Hussain to deal with them once and for all. 

Your stools have changed

Hemorrhoids have really become a cause for concern when your stool starts to change color. You know there’s a problem if your stool turns a dark-red, almost maroon color. This is a sign that you’re bleeding inside your rectum and need medical attention as soon as possible. 

Treating your hemorrhoids

When conservative methods fail and you notice the warning signs, it’s time to get Dr. Hussain involved. 

A basic visual examination or imaging test tells him exactly what kind of hemorrhoid you have and which treatment you need. Depending on your specific situation, he recommends one of the following treatments:

Each of these procedures is minimally invasive, performed in-office, and require little to no down time. If you need even more aggressive treatment, however, Dr. Hussain surgically removes your hemorrhoids. 

Why leave your health and comfort up to fate? Take your wellbeing into your own hands and come see us to get rid of your hemorrhoids for good. 

If you have more questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call either our Cypress or Houston, Texas, offices or request one online.

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