Category: Hemorrhoids

Managing Hemorrhoids

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoids treatment

 

Struggling with hemorrhoid pain and discomfort? You aren’t alone. By the age of 50, more than half of all adults will have experienced hemorrhoids at least once. The good news is that this condition is almost never dangerous. And with a combination of lifestyle changes, over-the-counter remedies, and medical attention, symptoms can usually be reduced or eliminated in a timely fashion. Read on for more information on hemorrhoids and how they can be managed:

 

What Exactly Are Hemorrhoids?

Defined simply, hemorrhoids are swollen veins located in or around the anus. In practical terms, this condition tends to manifest itself in pain, itching, bleeding, or discomfort. This condition is usually easy to diagnose and equally easy to treat, however — so don’t delay seeking treatment if you think you might be suffering from this issue!

 

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

The exact cause of hemorrhoids remains unknown — though doctors can clearly point to a number of risk factors that influence whether or not an individual might develop this problem. Straining bowel movements, for example, can increase the pressure on vessels in the anal area and thereby create a heightened risk for hemorrhoids. Sitting on the toilet for extended periods of time, experiencing chronic diarrhea or constipation, being overweight or pregnant, and having anal intercourse are all considered risk factors as well, for similar reasons. In most cases, however, no one cause is responsible: rather, this condition tends to emerge in the convergence of various risk factors and a bit of bad luck.

 

How Can I Reduce Pain from My Condition?

Here is a quick overview of a few of the most common home remedies for hemorrhoid pain.

 

  1. Taking warm baths and/or washing up with warm water.

 

  1. Using over-the-counter pain relieving wipes and/or simply dampening toilet paper before using it.

 

  1. Applying ice directly to the pain.

 

  1. Taking non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such aspirin, ibuprofen, or diclofenac.

 

  1. Not “holding it,” and/or using a short stool when moving your bowels.

 

  1. Applying an over-the-counter cream or medication for hemorrhoids.

 

What Hemorrhoid-Related Complications Should I Be Aware of?

In the vast majority of cases, hemorrhoids are relatively harmless and only mildly bothersome. In some cases, they may become strangulated or thrombosed — conditions which are painful but not exactly medically threatening. Regardless, complex or non-responsive hemorrhoid problems generally require medical treatment in order to soothe the patient’s pain and ensure that infection does not occur.

 

What Medical Intervention Options Exist for Hemorrhoids?

If your hemorrhoids are painful, medically complicated, or non-responsive to home treatments, then you may wish to discuss medical intervention with your proctologist. Traditional surgery, rubber band ligation, coagulation therapy, and sclerotherapy are just a few of the options at your disposal.

 

Can Hemorrhoids be a Sign of Anal and/or Colorectal Cancer?

As serious as the pain and discomfort from hemorrhoids may sometimes feel, you will be relieved to know that this condition is not a warning sign of serious conditions such as anal cancer. However, it is worth pointing out that many symptoms of anal and colorectal cancers are similar to the symptoms of hemorrhoids. This is why frequent medical checkups (especially when you are suffering pain or abnormal symptoms) are so important.

 

What Type of Doctor Treats Hemorrhoid Problems?

If you are experiencing mild hemorrhoid symptoms, your general practitioner can probably recommend simple over-the-counter treatments and other home remedies to reduce your symptoms. More complicated cases may require the assistance of a specialist such as a proctologist, however. If you are looking for specialized or intensive hemorrhoid treatment in the Long Island area, we encourage you to contact us here at Surgical Specialists of Long Island to learn more about your options.

Hemorrhoids: Everything That You Should Know

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoids: Everything That You Should Know

Are you experiencing problems with hemorrhoids? You’re not alone. Approximately 75% of adults experience hemorrhoids at least once during their lifetime — and for some, this can become a chronic problem. Thankfully, hemorrhoids usually go away on their own, and there are many treatment options available that can reduce pain and/or speed up the healing process. It is also worth pointing out that hemorrhoids can be prevented in many cases with a healthy lifestyle and by limiting risk factors. This highlights the importance of education regarding the subject. So if you want to learn more about this common health issue and how you can treat or prevent it, then this hemorrhoids overview is for you.

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels, similar to varicose veins, that affect the area around the rectum. Though rarely dangerous, they can cause discomfort ranging from mild irritation to severe pain.

Causes of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be caused by a variety of factors, oftentimes related to diet and/or lifestyle. People who spend lots of time sitting down are at increased risk, for  example — and this makes many professions, such as bus drivers and call center attendants, a risk factor. Patients who are overweight or obese also experience hemorrhoids at a higher rate, as do pregnant women. Last but not least, straining on the toilet can lead to hemorrhoids, which is why digestive issues such as diarrhea and constipation are also frequently listed as potential causes.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

The most common signs of hemorrhoids include bleeding, itching, pain, swelling, and the development of a small, painful lump on or near the anus. Of course, it is important to remember that these symptoms can also be signs of more dangerous conditions, which is why they should not be ignored.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience excessive bleeding, dizziness when using the bathroom, or lack of improvement in your condition over time, then it is probably a good idea to see a doctor. After all, these symptoms can all be signs of a larger problem — and, at the very least, your doctor can give you personalized advice on how to alleviate your symptoms.

Diagnosis

Hemorrhoids can usually be diagnosed through a visual inspection, though digital examination may be required. The three types of hemorrhoids are internal hemorrhoids (usually painless), external hemorrhoids (oftentimes irritable), and thrombosed hemorrhoids (which, though rare, can become extremely painful if left untreated.)

Hemorrhoid Treatments

Treatments for hemorrhoids are usually all about alleviating symptoms, because hemorrhoids usually aren’t dangerous and will get away on their own. Applying ice, utilizing topical ointments, and taking oral pain medications are the most common treatment options. If complications occur, your doctor may recommend a surgical treatment for hemorrhoids. Finally, your doctor may also recommended other tests or examinations in order to be certain that hemorrhoids are the cause behind your symptoms, and not merely a symptom of a larger issue.

Preventing Hemorrhoids

One final piece of good news: with a healthy lifestyle and smart choices, you can probably avoid hemorrhoids all together. Avoid spending excessive time in a sitting position, and if your job requires this be sure to take breaks whenever possible. Getting plenty of fiber and hydration can help prevent the need to strain on the toilet. Going to the bathroom immediately upon feeling a need to, rather than holding it, can also help. Last but not least, because weight plays a role, a healthy, moderated diet with plenty of exercise can also reduce your risk for developing hemorrhoids.

To learn more about hemorrhoids and other common health conditions, visit Surgical Specialist of Long Island online today.

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoids treatment

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options

Not only are hemorrhoids a painful and frustrating health condition, many patients feel unnecessarily ashamed about this common problem, which can lead to delaying treatment, remaining uninformed, or both. This is not good, because a bad case of hemorrhoids can affect your quality of life and impede you from doing what is important to you. Luckily there are many ways to treat them, both at home and at the doctor. Here are some tips for easing the pain through self treatment, as well as a few options for treatment in the doctor’s office.

Managing hemorrhoids at home:

  • Try not to use toilet paper when you go to the bathroom, as it can scratch and irritate your hemorrhoids, making the pain worse. Instead, try using baby wipes or cotton. If you have to use toilet paper, consider moistening it first. Whatever the case, be gentle and careful.
  • When you go to the bathroom, try not to force it out. If you are constipated, just wait until you feel like you can go. If you try to force it, you can inflame your hemorrhoids. Likewise, when you need to go, never hold it, as this can have equally painful and detrimental effects. Instead, listen to your body and do whatever feels most natural.
  • Wear loose underwear. The looser and softer your underwear, the less likely it will be that they irritate you or make you itch. It is especially important that your underwear stay loose because this allows you to air out and prevents sweat from accumulating and causing you to chafe.
  • Consider painkillers. While this will not necessarily help your hemorrhoids go away, it will improve your quality of life and make the treatment stage more bearable. Just take care not to ignore flare-ups by medicating yourself every time it hurts.
  • This may seem like a no brainer, but it is important not to scratch when you grow itchy. This can inflame your hemorrhoids and cause both the pain and itching to worsen.
  • Using a topical cream, ice, or frequent warm baths (especially immediately after a bowel movement) can lighten pain and ease swelling. Furthermore, washing yourself (gently) from time to time can be helpful, as it is of the utmost importance to stay clean.
  • Diet can affect hemorrhoids for the better and for the worse. The best diet during a bout of hemorrhoids is one that is high in fiber, as well as water. Eating healthy can help you stay healthy and comfortable in more ways than one.
  • If sitting on hard surfaces is painful, consider placing a pillow beneath you when sitting for long periods of time.

Surgical and other procedural options:

  • Rubber band ligation. This type of treatment involves small rubber bands being placed around your hemorrhoids, which, in a few days, will cause them to shrivel and fall off. This is one of the least intrusive treatments, but it can cause light bleeding.
  • Chemical treatment. This option involves a doctor injecting chemicals into your hemorrhoids which, in time, cause them to shrink and disappear. While this option is mostly painless, it has a slightly lower success rate than other options.
  • Coagulation. Coagulation involves using heat from a laser or infrared light to harden and remove hemorrhoids. This is another less intrusive option, but is associated with a somewhat higher rate of recurrence than the others.
  • Surgery. This is the most intrusive option, and may require some time to recover, but it is also the most effective way of removing all hemorrhoids and preventing them from coming back. The doctor will use a variety of methods to completely remove all excess tissue. While this method can be painful, most of the pain treatment options above can be used to mitigate the pain during recovery.

Is trouble with Hemorrhoids affecting your life? Surgical Specialist of Long Island can help. Visit us online today to learn more about your treatment options.

Hemorrhoids: Avenues of Treatment

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoids: Avenues of Treatment

Hemorrhoids are a fairly common problem solvable through various avenues of treatment that are based on the individual as well as the severity and type of the hemorrhoids.  In this article, we will be exploring different types of hemorrhoids their causes, and their according paths to wellness.

 

What causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids have several contributing causes, the most common being repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Straining inhibits blood flow into and out of these areas, resulting in the pooling of blood and the enlargement of vessels.  For this reason, a severe case of constipation or diarrhea can also lead to a case of hemorrhoids. Additionally, pregnant women are at increased risk of developing hemorrhoids because of the pressure that is placed on these veins by the uterus.

Different Classifications of Hemorrhoids: 

 To start with, there are two types of hemorrhoids based on location: Internal and External.

Internal Hemorrhoids:  Internal hemorrhoids occur as a result of veins in the anus swelling and breaching the anal wall.  Though they will typically not cause you pain, you will be alerted to them by the presence of blood when you go to the bathroom. Generally, internal hemorrhoids are not regarded as having the same severity as external hemorrhoids.  However, please note that symptoms associated with internal hemorrhoids are similar to symptoms of colon cancer and other diseases of the digestive system. We recommend that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, that you discuss with Dr. Martinez, as she specializes in the treatment of Colon and Rectal Cancers, Anal cancers, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Diverticular Disease.

 

External Hemorrhoids: What often comes to mind when we think of hemorrhoids are the external kind – which are oftentimes painful and prone to irritation and itching.  These types of hemorrhoids are visible outside the anal sphincter, and the physical symptoms associated with them are hard to miss.  As with internal hemorrhoids, you may notice blood on toilet paper or in the toilet when using the bathroom.  You may also notice itching or painful lumps around the anus that feel as if they are swollen.   If you experience these symptoms persistently, you should schedule an appointment.

Medical professionals commonly use the below classification system to classify the severity of the hemorrhoids:

1st Degree Hemorrhoids – Internal hemorrhoids that will bleed but are not in a prolapsed state.

2nd Degree Hemorrhoids – Will bleed and are prolapsed, but will go back to their original state without medical intervention.

3rd Degree Hemorrhoids – Will bleed and are prolapsed – need to be pushed back.

4th Degree Hemorrhoids – Will bleed and prolapsed and cannot be pushed back.   It is recommended that you consult with the doctor if you are experiencing 4th degree hemorrhoids.

 

Treatment Options:

Again, depending on the type of hemorrhoid, different treatments are available after diagnosis.  If it is deemed that medical intervention is needed, then these fixative procedures can often be performed the same day by Dr. Martinez to alleviate your symptoms immediately.

Fixative Procedures for Hemorrhoid Treatment:

Injection: Internal hemorrhoids can be injected with a solution, which creates a scar and closes off the hemorrhoid to circulation, thus eliminating it.

Banding. Prolapsed hemorrhoids are often removed using a rubber-band method to cause ligation.

Coagulation or cauterization.

   Surgery.

These procedures vary in their methods, but have in common one objective: to disrupt the blood supply to the hemorrhoid and thus eliminate it from the body.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to avoid straining during bowel movements by keeping your stool soft.  Below are some tried and true methods to maintaining soft stool so you won’t have to strain.

Fiber: Fiber is found naturally in many different foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Beans are also an excellent source of fiber.  Increasing fiber in your diet will soften the stool and increase its bulk, which will help you avoid the need to strain during bowel movements.

 Fluids:  Drinking 6 – 8 glasses of water each day is an easy way to help keep stools soft.

Urgency: Waiting on a bowel movement when you feel the need to go can cause the stool to become dry and harder to pass later.

Exercise: Keep the flow.  Long periods of standing or sitting can increase the pressure on veins.   Also, any excess weight could be contributing to your hemorrhoids.

Call today for a free consultation, (631)257-5533.