What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels within your rectum or anal canal. This blood vessel swelling can cause symptoms and problems like pain or itchiness. You may also notice rectal bleeding.
External hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids are those that actually bulge out around the anus. This type of hemorrhoid may feel like a bump in your skin around your anal opening. External hemorrhoids are the ones most likely to be painful and itchy. You might even feel them pushing outward when having a bowel movement.
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are concealed inside your rectum and usually don't cause symptoms. If internal hemorrhoids do cause symptoms, it's usually painless bleeding (typically a few drops at a time).
If you notice any signs of hemorrhoids, it's best to see Dr. Hussain at Northside Gastroenterology Associates as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
What causes hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are quite common among men and women who strain heavily to have bowel movements. Often, this means that hemorrhoids are directly related to problems like chronic constipation or diarrhea. Another possible cause of hemorrhoids is abdominal pressure, which can happen with pregnancy, obesity, anal intercourse, and heavy lifting.
How can I get rid of hemorrhoids?
Often, hemorrhoids go away on their own, or after you make a few simple changes. Dr. Hussain may recommend upping your fluid intake, increasing dietary fiber, and soaking in a sitz bath to shrink hemorrhoids. You may also need topical creams or suppositories to relieve itchiness and anal pain.
If simple conservative treatments don't relieve hemorrhoid symptoms, you may need a procedure, such as:
Rubber band ligation
In a rubber band ligation, Dr. Hussain places small rubber bands around the hemorrhoids. Over the next few days, the hemorrhoids fall off and leave a small wound that gradually heals. This procedure is usually performed on-site at Northside Gastroenterology Associates.
Infrared coagulation
In infrared coagulation, Dr. Hussain uses a slender probe to send heat into the hemorrhoid and destroy it.
Sclerotherapy
In sclerotherapy, Dr. Hussain injects a sclerosant, a solution that causes your hemorrhoids to shrivel from the inside until they wither completely.
If minimally invasive procedures like rubber band ligation, infrared coagulation, or sclerotherapy aren't successful or aren't sufficient, you may need hemorrhoid removal surgery, in which Dr. Hussain surgically excises the veins.
Click the online appointment maker or call Northside Gastroenterology Associates for hemorrhoid treatment now.
