Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are usually caused by repeated pressure in the rectal or anal veins. Often this is due to repeated straining to pass stool. The risk for getting hemorrhoids increases with:

• Prolonged sitting on the toilet and straining to have a bowel movement.

• Constipation.

• A low dietary fiber intake.

• Obesity.

• Pregnancy.

Treatment

Hemorrhoids are common. They are not likely to be a serious health problem. Most people have some bleeding from them once in a while.

Don’t assume that rectal bleeding is “just hemorrhoids.” See your doctor to find out the cause.

If symptoms of hemorrhoids are not relieved with self-care or with time, medical care may be needed. This includes:

• Laser heat or infrared light.

• Rubber band ligation. A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off blood flow to the hemorrhoid.

• Surgery.

• Cryosurgery. This freezes the affected tissue.

Questions to Ask

Question 1

Do you have severe rectal bleeding that is nonstop or are you weak or dizzy because of it?

Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.

Question 2

Do you have any of these problems?

• Rectal bleeding occurs with or without bowel movements and you don’t know why.

• A hard lump is felt where a hemorrhoid used to be.

• Rectal pain is severe or lasts longer than a few days.

• The bleeding from a hemorrhoid lasts longer than 2 weeks despite using self-care.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Use Self-Care / Prevention:

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Self-Care / Prevention

• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of fluid per day.

• Eat foods with good sources of dietary fiber, such as bran, whole- grain breads and cereals, vegetables, and fruits.

• Add bran to your foods. Add about 3 to 4 tablespoons per day.

• Eat prunes. Drink prune juice.

• Lose weight if you are overweight.

• Get regular exercise.

• Pass stool as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and hard. This makes it harder to pass.

• Don’t strain to pass stool.

• Don’t hold your breath when trying to pass stool.

• Keep the anal area clean. Use moist towelettes or wet (not dry) toilet paper after you pass stool.

• Don’t sit too much. This can restrict blood flow around the anal area. Don’t sit too long on the toilet. Don’t read while on the toilet.

• For itching or pain, put a cold compress on the anus for 10 minutes at a time. Do this up to 4 times a day.

• Take warm baths or use a sitz bath with hot water. A sitz bath is a basin that fits over the toilet. Get one at a medical supply or drug store.

• Check with your doctor about using over-the-counter products, such as:

– Stool softeners.

– Zinc oxide or anesthetic (numbing) products, such as Preparation H.

– Medicated wipes, such as Tucks.

– Suppositories.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.

The content on this website is proprietary. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute, in any manner, the material on the website without the written permission of AIPM.