No one likes talking about hemorrhoids. But, this is a common problem affecting about 1 in 20 people in the United States each year. In fact, it’s estimated that up to three in four adults will have problems with hemorrhoids during their lifetime.
When you walk down the pharmacy aisle at your local grocery store, you’ll find plenty of hemorrhoid treatments that promise to help. But what do you do when home remedies fail? Are there medical treatments that can help heal your hemorrhoids and resolve your discomfort?
Understanding hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in your anorectal region. They’re similar to varicose veins and can occur anywhere from your lower rectum to just outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the body, whereas external hemorrhoids develop underneath the skin of your anal opening.
Depending on their location, hemorrhoids may cause a little discomfort but have excessive bleeding or become intensely painful. As with many medical conditions, seeking hemorrhoids treatment early can often spare you needless pain and discomfort.
When hemorrhoids require medical attention
These four signs indicate your hemorrhoids require medical intervention and explains why early treatment matters.
1. Bleeding while having bowel movements
You can develop rectal bleeding for several reasons, including hemorrhoids. Blood associated with internal hemorrhoids is usually bright red, occurs with bowel movements, may be mild to moderate in amount, and causes no pain.
However, you can’t assume your symptoms are due to hemorrhoids. If you’ve never had a hemorrhoid diagnosis or have had recent changes in the characteristics of the bleeding you assumed was due to hemorrhoids, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
2. A noticeable bulge at the anus that retracts after a bowel movement
When you have internal hemorrhoids, they can prolapse — or fall outside — of the anal opening during a bowel movement. At first, the tissue may retract on its own or be easily pushed back into place. But a prolapse can worsen over time, eventually causing significant irritation, itching, bleeding, and pain when this internal tissue becomes trapped outside of the anus. Seeking treatment early prevents a prolapse from worsening.
3. Feeling as though you’re not emptying your stool completely
Prolapsing internal hemorrhoids can cause the sensation that you have stuck stool at your anus. You can also have mucous discharge and difficulty in cleaning yourself after a bowel movement because of the displaced tissue.
4. Itching, discomfort, and irritation in the anal region
These symptoms may not seem like cause for concern, but you don’t have to live with hemorrhoid discomfort until it becomes severe or disrupts your life. We can offer nonsurgical solutions that can effectively resolve your hemorrhoids.
Nonsurgical treatments for hemorrhoids
Depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids, our team might offer a variety of treatments ranging from lifestyle changes, like eating more fiber, to minimally invasive techniques, including:
Infrared coagulation (IRC)
IRC is a highly effective method that uses infrared light delivered via a small probe to painlessly coagulate (clot) the blood vessels supplying your hemorrhoid. After blocking the blood flow, your enlarged hemorrhoidal tissue shrinks, and your symptoms subside.
Rubber band ligation
This approach also stops blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue, causing your hemorrhoid to wither and “die.” It’s more painful overall than IRC and may cause some bleeding, but it remains an effective, nonsurgical solution for treating hemorrhoids.