Hemorrhoids are commonly known as piles, and present as swollen veins in the rectum. These can develop either inside the rectum or under the skin outside the rectum. They can be extremely painful and can lead to rectal bleeding. If you've ever experienced this, you'll know how painful and embarrassing it can be, but the good news is that you're not alone.
What to look out for
The symptoms of hemorrhoids may vary from person to person and will depend on the type of hemorrhoid. Below are some of the most common signs.
Internal Hemorrhoids
These occur inside the rectum and don't often cause rectal pain, so you may not even realize that you have them. The first sign that they're present is a little rectal bleeding if you strain when passing a stool. This could lead to hemorrhoid pushing out, resulting in rectal pain and discomfort.
External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids are not easy to miss. You're likely to experience irritation accompanied by itching in the anal area that comes with its fair share of severe pain and discomfort, with swelling and inflammation. These are exacerbated by constipation and diarrhea and make it more difficult to pass a stool because of the intense pain. Often, these protrusions will result in rectal bleeding.
What causes hemorrhoids?
There are several contributing factors to hemorrhoids, but the exact cause is often unknown. We've highlighted some of the most common culprits below:
What are the complications?
Apart from increased levels of pain, irritation and discomfort, hemorrhoids can cause rare complications such as anemia, thrombosed hemorrhoids, or strangulated hemorrhoids which can be excruciatingly painful.
Treat hemorrhoids for rectal bleeding
Hemorrhoids can be easy to self-diagnose, and if you can pinpoint the cause, for instance, if you struggle with constipation, you may find yourself reaching for a laxative. This can be equally harmful. Treating hemorrhoids for rectal bleeding may not be as simple as you think, and if the bleeding persists for more than two days, we suggest that you consult a medical professional.
Rectal pain is one of the most uncomfortable things to deal with, but Vantage Medical Associates has a team of professionals that offer complete care, with sound advice and the necessary treatment that you need. Our gastroenterologist is competently trained to diagnose, treat, and remove your hemorrhoids using a variety of methods that will have you pain-free and living your life again in no time at all.
Treat hemorrhoids after pregnancy
If your hemorrhoids have not gone away on their own at least 6 weeks post-partum, or you experience swelling, pain or rectal bleeding, our gastroenterologist can give you the care and treatment that you need.
Hemorrhoid treatments
Medical treatments may be necessary to provide long term relief from rectal pain and rectal bleeding. There are several ways in which hemorrhoids can be removed, including cauterization, staples, and rubber band ligation. At Vantage Medical Associates, our gastroenterologist will work with you to determine your needs, and the best treatment for you. We're committed to your health and wellbeing and will consult with you every step of the way so that you're not alone.
Benefits of banding
It's likely that you've tried a number of over-the-counter creams and pain killers and spent more time sitting in warm water than you'd care to mention. But your rectal bleeding is still intermittent, and the pain is a constant reminder that hemorrhoid lives on. We understand that frustration! And we have a solution.
One of the most common methods of treating hemorrhoids that result in pain and rectal bleeding is banding. The procedure is simple and quick and involves tying off hemorrhoid at its base to cut off the blood supply to it. It eventually dries and falls off on its own. Banding has a success rate of between 70% and 97%, but our banding procedure has been proven 99% effective overall.
Hemorrhoids can be effectively treated, and our practice knows how to deal with this in a dignified and discreet manner that will have you feeling as good as new faster than you can imagine.
