Hemorrhoids Specialist

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins on your anus or inside your anal canal. They can often be extremely uncomfortable and cause:

• Pain
• Itching
• Bleeding
• Burning sensation

External hemorrhoids are those that develop on the anus, where there are more nerve endings. As a result, they may be particularly painful. Internal hemorrhoids further inside the anal canal are less likely to be so painful, and you might not be aware of them at first.

Internal hemorrhoids may cause rectal bleeding if you pass hard or large stools that cause the veins to rupture. They sometimes drop out of the anal canal and protrude through the anus, leading to complications from a lack of blood flow.

Blood clots that form in hemorrhoids can create painful, hard lumps called thrombosed hemorrhoids.

What causes hemorrhoids?

The most common reason for hemorrhoids to develop is straining when you're on the toilet. If you have constipation, especially when it's a frequent problem, the effort of pushing during a bowel movement can damage the veins, causing them to fill with blood.

The primary causes of constipation are insufficient dietary fiber, lack of exercise, and not taking in enough water. Other risk factors for hemorrhoids include:

• The aging process
• Family history of hemorrhoids
• Overuse of laxatives
• Having frequent bouts of diarrhea
• Pregnancy

Unfortunately, toilet design doesn't support the anal veins, so just sitting on one for too long is bad for your anus. You should therefore spend as short a time as possible on the toilet.

What treatments are there for hemorrhoids?

If you take steps to deal with constipation and avoid straining when your hemorrhoids first appear, they may heal on their own. However, if you've had them once, they're more likely to reoccur.

If your hemorrhoids don't clear up in a week or two or are particularly troublesome, your provider at GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, can prescribe various conservative treatments such as medicated creams, pads, or suppositories to ease your symptoms.

Severe hemorrhoids or those that won't go away despite these treatments might require further intervention to eliminate the problem veins. GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, offers a range of effective therapies, including rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, and infrared, laser, or bipolar coagulation.

If you have problems with hemorrhoids or notice any rectal bleeding, get a prompt diagnosis and expert treatment at GI Specialists of Houston, LLP. Call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.