Hemorrhoids appear when the veins inside or outside the anus become inflamed and swollen. You can think of hemorrhoids like varicose veins but inside or nearby your anus.
Internal hemorrhoids can often be pain-free, but cause bleeding during bowel movements. When the hemorrhoids begin prolapsing through the anus, they can cause pain and itchiness.
External hemorrhoids are visible and located outside the anus. They can cause pain, inflammation, irritation, and discomfort.
Our team of experts at the Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County in Orange County, California have extensive experience using minimally-invasive treatments for removing hemorrhoids. Below, we asked them to explain how to know when hemorrhoids are serious enough to seek medical help.
When hemorrhoids do go away on their own
Small hemorrhoids can sometimes go away on their own. You may notice an improvement in symptoms even without treatment. However, larger ones often worsen with time, and they don’t heal on their own, requiring treatment.
Treatments for larger hemorrhoids
Our staff uses the FDA-approved CRH O’Regan System®, the gold-standard treatment for internal hemorrhoids.
The CRH O’Regan System® involves the use of a thin rubber band that cuts off blood supply to hemorrhoids, causing them to fall off by themselves within a couple of weeks. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and is painless, as there are no nerves inside internal hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids can sometimes be managed with over-the-counter medications. However, if they bother you, you can opt for surgery to remove them.
Preventing hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can come back. Alongside treatment, our staff may recommend a few lifestyle tweaks to decrease your chances of relapse, including the following:
- Consuming less alcohol
- Consuming less spicy foods
- Spending less time sitting down
- Treating constipation
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Due to pressure from the growing baby and increased blood flow in the pelvic area, pregnant women can also develop hemorrhoids. Pregnant women are also more likely to get constipated due to fluctuating hormones. If that’s the case, hemorrhoids can be prevented by drinking more water and drinking teas that have laxative properties, such as senna and chamomile.
Learn more about treating your hemorrhoids
One in 20 Americans have hemorrhoids, and nearly half of adults over 50 have hemorrhoids. Although you may find it hard to discuss your symptoms with your provider, we can assure you that hemorrhoids are a common topic of discussion and nothing to feel uncomfortable about.
While hemorrhoids are generally not dangerous, they can develop blood clots over time. This can cause significant pain and discomfort or a lot of bleeding, which can decrease your iron levels and lead to anemia.
If you’re experiencing symptoms, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our staff can remove your hemorrhoids with an easy, painless procedure.
