Symptomatic hemorrhoids are extremely common. They may present as anal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in stool, anal itching, or protrusion from the anus. Risk factors include constipation or diarrhea, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, heavy work-outs, and certain occupations. Our office specializes in various treatments of hemorrhoids, including topical treatments, oral supplements, hemorrhoid banding, and infrared coagulation of hemorrhoids.
Eating high-fiber foods may help alleviate hemorrhoids. A diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can worsen symptoms from existing hemorrhoids. Add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid bloating and excessive gassiness.
Topical hemorrhoid treatments are available over-the-counter in most pharmacies.. Commonly used treatments include creams and suppositories.
Oral pain relievers may also help alleviate pain from Hemorrhoids.. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) to temporarily relieve your discomfort.
These treatments often help with mild hemorrhoids. See your doctor in a week if you don’t get relief, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding. Symptomatic hemorrhoids are extremely common, and must be treated by a trained professional.
Our office specializes in hemorrhoid banding. Under direct vision, tight rubber bands are deployed around the base of the hemorrhoids, thus cutting off blood supply, causing parts of the hemorrhoids to wither and fall off. The treatment is done in the office. It is painless. No anesthesia or special preparation is required.
Our office also specializes in infrared coagulation of hemorrhoids. Under direct vision, infrared energy, or heat, is applied to the base of the hemorrhoids. Blood supply to the hemorrhoids, thus, is decreased, and the hemorrhoids partially shrivel away. The treatment is done in the office. It is painless. No anesthesia or special preparation is required.
For persistent bleeding or painful hemorrhoids, your doctor might recommend one of the other minimally invasive Hemorrhoid Treatments. These treatments can be done in your doctor’s office or other outpatient setting and don’t usually require anesthesia.
Rubber band ligation. Your doctor places one or two tiny rubber bands around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its circulation. The hemorrhoid withers and falls off within a week. Hemorrhoid banding can be uncomfortable and cause bleeding, which might begin two to four days after the procedure but is rarely severe. Occasionally, more-serious complications can occur.
Coagulation (infrared, laser or bipolar). Coagulation techniques use laser or infrared light or heat. They cause small, bleeding internal hemorrhoids to harden and shrivel. Coagulation has few side effects and usually causes little discomfort.
Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:
Before your appointment, take steps to soften your stools. Eat more high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day also might help relieve your symptoms.
