Hemorrhoids

Causes and symptoms

Hemorrhoids develop for a number of different reasons. Some of the most common include chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining while having a bowel movement, low-fiber diet, pregnancy, obesity, heavy-lifting, and sitting on the toilet for long periods of time. Additionally, there is a hereditary component. If your parents had hemorrhoids that were problematic, chances are, you may experience similar challenges.

If your hemorrhoids are not bothering you, we don’t need to bother them. But if they become inflamed, painful, or uncomfortable, they can impact your quality of life and need to be addressed medically. Symptoms of inflamed hemorrhoids may include:

• Itching or irritation in the anal or rectum region
• Shooting pain or a burning sensation during bowel movements
• Swelling in and around the anus
• Bleeding or bright red blood noted on toilet paper after bowel movements

External hemorrhoids often bring on abrupt excruciating—and sometimes debilitating—pain. Bleeding and a formed clot that stretches the skin of the anal area are the cause of the pain.

Internal hemorrhoids are graded on a scale of one to four, with painful symptoms that increase as the grade does. They’re rarely painful, although you can experience some bleeding and burning.

Grade 1: Painless rectal bleeding

Grade 2: Pain and discomfort from prolapsing or protruding from the anal opening

Grade 3: Pain and discomfort from prolapsing or protruding from the anal opening that requires you to manually push them back inside

Grade 4: Pain and discomfort from hemorrhoids that are stuck in the prolapsed position and generally require surgery

Consult your primary care or family doctor if you are experiencing these signs and symptoms. Most of the time, they’re indications of hemorrhoids, which a primary care doctor can treat successfully. In some cases, however, your doctor may choose to refer you to a colorectal specialist or surgeon.

Controlling your symptoms

If you are experiencing constipation as a result of hemorrhoids, your doctor may be able to offer some recommendations to address and resolve this issue. Your doctor will likely recommend increasing the amount of fiber in your diet.

Food recommendations to increase your fiber intake include:

• Vegetables and fruits (especially fruits with peels)
• Foods with bran and oats (for example bran cereal or oatmeal)
• Nuts (chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds)
• Berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries)

Increasing your daily fluid intake can also help control or reduce constipation. Higher fluid absorption makes the stool softer and less painful to pass. Adults should drink 48 to 64 ounces of fluid per day.

Additionally, exercise aids the body in moving waste out appropriately. Our experts recommend going for a walk, bike ride, swim, or participating in other aerobic exercises as a way of achieving good colon health.

If you try these measures for a few weeks with no improvement, or if your symptoms change suddenly, seek guidance from your primary care physician or a colorectal specialist.

Getting help early not only can improve your quality of life, but it also can help identify and address potentially serious problems quickly and safely.

Diagnostics

Hemorrhoids are usually visible to a physician who is conducting a physical exam. In some cases, it may be necessary to undergo a colorectal procedure to gather more information and confirm what type of medical treatment is ideal. Some of the most common procedures performed to gather this information are colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and barium enema X-rays.

Treatments

In some cases, an over-the-counter cream, ointment, or other medication may bring temporary relief. However, these remedies typically do not cure the hemorrhoid or prevent future flair ups. It is best to see a doctor so that a thorough evaluation can be completed and a plan of care can be created to treat and permanently resolve the problem.

What to expect during your visit

Our team is knowledgeable and experienced. We treat patients with hemorrhoids every single day. But equally important is that we take the time to listen to our patients – to really understand what they are experiencing and why they are seeking our care. We want our patients to feel comfortable – even when it comes to discussing topics like hemorrhoids, that are sometimes a bit uncomfortable to talk about. Our commitment to providing an excellent patient experience allows us to deliver thoughtful and compassionate care, and the best possible outcomes.