If you're experiencing discomfort in your anal area, one of the first things that come to mind for many of us is hemorrhoids.
That's the big misnomer.
"Hemorrhoids are the great scapegoats for all sorts of anal issues and discomfort," says Sean Langenfeld, MD, Nebraska Medicine colon and rectal surgeon. "Because of their location, it's very difficult for most people to know what's going on with their anus so they assume it's hemorrhoid. Less than 50% of people who complain of hemorrhoids actually have hemorrhoids that cause symptoms. More often, they have other diagnoses ranging from small issues such as pruritus ani (anal itching), anal warts, or anal fissures to large issues such as abscesses, fistulas and cancers."
Derrick Eichele, MD, Nebraska Medicine gastroenterologist, agrees, and adds, "If you do experience new onset bleeding, it's better to get it checked early with your primary care doctor than to wait. This will allow us to rule out other alternative competing diagnoses and get you the appropriate treatment."
Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions that live inside the anal canal. They are a part of normal human anatomy. Everyone is born with three of them. These internal hemorrhoids help keep the anus closed at rest, which helps with continence. Hemorrhoids can become uncomfortable when they are swollen and inflamed. Common causes include constipation and straining, prolonged sitting on the toilet, pregnancy and strenuous exercise.
Hemorrhoids fall into two categories.
Internal hemorrhoids are the most common type. Despite commonly-held beliefs, hemorrhoids are not usually painful. They can cause painless, bright red bleeding and may bulge outside the anal opening, also known as prolapse, during bowel movements. If they get large enough, patients may see or feel a soft, pink bulge of tissue prolapsing out of their anus. This tissue goes back inside on its own, but sometimes it needs to be pushed back in.
An external hemorrhoid is a soft cushion of skin-covered vascular tissue that lives just outside the anal opening. Severe straining and strenuous exercise can cause these tiny vessels to rupture, which is similar to a blood blister. The ruptured or thrombosed hemorrhoid can grow under the skin and become firm and painful. It is usually dark blue in color and often ruptures producing small dark blood clots.
While thrombosed hemorrhoids are very painful, they are not dangerous to your health and improve over time similar to a skin bruise. If the pain is severe, they can often be removed in the office by a colorectal surgeon.
If you suspect you may have hemorrhoids, Dr. Langenfeld suggests making the following lifestyle changes that can help relieve your symptoms usually within two to seven days:
"In many cases, a suspected case of hemorrhoids ends up being a different issue," notes Dr. Langenfeld. "If the anal symptoms do not get better in a short period of time, a visit with your doctor can help determine if another issue exists. People who are searching hemorrhoids on the Internet should try to find a reliable online resource, such as the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons website. They should also be searching anal fissure since this is a much more common cause of anal complaints."
Anal itching (pruritus ani) itching near the anal opening due to irritation to the skin in the area.
Anal warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), anal warts are caused from direct sexual contact with an infected person.
Anal abscess an infected cavity of puss near the anal opening usually caused by an infection of one of the anal glands usually inside the anal opening.
Anal fissure a tear in the skin just inside the anal opening usually caused by trauma to the anal canal such as a large, hard bowel movement.
Anal fistula a small tunnel connecting a previously infected anal gland with the skin outside the anal opening usually caused by a previous anal abscess.
"Hemorrhoids are not dangerous and typically don't turn into more severe problems, but they can be distressing and uncomfortable," says Dr. Langenfeld. "The important thing is to rule out other causes if they do not go away on their own within one to two weeks after trying some simple lifestyle changes."
If you continue to have rectal bleeding, depending on your age and risk factors, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to rule out other possible sources of blood loss, says Dr. Langenfeld.
"Your primary care doctor can determine your diagnosis and help you implement lifestyle changes to alleviate your symptoms," says Dr. Langenfeld. "If symptoms linger, your primary care doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon for treatment."
Hemorrhoids that cause moderate or severe symptoms may require surgery. "The most common office procedure for hemorrhoids is rubber band ligation.
"Rubber band ligation is a safe, effective and pain-free procedure that can be performed in your doctor's office that involves placing a rubber ligature tightly around the internal hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply," explains Dr. Langenfeld. "This will cause the hemorrhoid to shrink and eventually slough off over one to two weeks."A severe thrombosed hemorrhoid may require excision, which can often be performed in your doctor's office. This involves making a small incision to drain the clot and usually brings significant relief, notes Dr. Langenfeld.
Need an evaluation?Suspect you may have hemorrhoids or another type of anal issue? Call 800.922.000 to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.
Read the original post:
What causes hemorrhoids, and when should you see a doctor? - Nebraska Medicine
- Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms | Menopause Treatment Options - Medriva - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Breast cancer survivor Jayne Pritchard talks alternative therapies over tea - MidlandToday - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- 12 unusual ways Israelis are volunteering during the war - ISRAEL21c - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Complementary and alternative medicine - NHS - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Alternative Treatment (CAM) for MS: Types, Side Effects & Cost - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Complementary and alternative medicine | History & Facts - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Alternative medicine: Definition, examples, benefits, and risks - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Alternative Medicine: The Science Behind 10 Alternative Therapies - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Detoxification (alternative medicine) - Wikipedia - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Alternative Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing - Psychiatric Times - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- New practice focuses on dental sleep medicine, providing an alternative for patients who use CPAP machines - PennLive - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Dr. Deepak Chopra Aligns with Plant-Based Therapeutics Company ProVEDA to Highlight Topical Pain Relief Solutions - Yahoo Finance - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- True REST Float Spa Offers Free Floatation Therapy Session to Veterans - AccessWire - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Youve been told you need surgery for degenerative disc disease and stenosis of the spine. Now what? - Sonoran News - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Can you take Paxlovid and heart disease medications at the same time? - Medical News Today - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Kardashian fans think theyve unlocked Kourtneys secret to hiding her pregnancy after spotting key detai... - The US Sun - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Cabinet approves B5bn for 'Andaman International Health Center' - The Phuket News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Eye health and dynamics of the modern world - The Citizen - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The Holistic Review on Occurrence, Biology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Cureus - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- 10 Deeper Causes of Tinnitus, and How to Treat It - The Epoch Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - GoodTherapy - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- India's alternative medicine industry grows, boosted by COVID-19 pandemic - CNA - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- QC Kinetix (Charlotte) Offers Alternative Treatments for Knee Pain and Sports Injuries - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Plant Extracts Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 85.09 Billion by 2030, Globally, at 6.33% CAGR: Verified Market Research - Yahoo... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Neuroplasticity Nonsense Is Full of Red Flags - Science Based Medicine - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Diabetics won't be made to pay for alternative medicines, Pharmac says - Stuff - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Lili Reinhart Becomes A Reiki Master: My Journey Into Reiki Healing Cant Be Simplified - IMDb - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The DRIPBaR is Coming to Clarksville, TN on Oct 16, 2022 - PR Web - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How Dr. Oz Boosted an Osteopath Who Became a Top Spreader of Covid Misinformation Mother Jones - Mother Jones - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- World Arthritis Day: Arthritis and Women - Times of India - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- What Is Alternative Medicine? - American Cancer Society - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Herbal medicine: Types, uses, and safety - Medical News Today - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- WCI Health LLC, Your Alternative Health and Wellness Hub Will Be a Vendor and Presenter at Wonderland Miami by Microdose - StreetInsider.com - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- The Viral Real - Journal #130 October 2022 - E-Flux - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Pregabalin Market to Grow by USD 153.03 Mn from 2022 to 2026, Driven by Presence of Large Patient Pool Related To Neuropathic Pain - Technavio - Yahoo... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Woman, 37, dies after herbal supplements led to liver failure: coroner - Insider - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- What Is Vitiligo? All About This Unique Skin Condition That Impacts Skin Pigmentation, and How To Treat It - Parade Magazine - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Herbalist's Resource Guide to Cannabis and Other Plants That Can Prevent Cancer - PR Web - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Tasly Pharmaceuticals to Exhibit at BioJapan 2022 -- Bio-Pharmaceutical Company to Join with Maryland-Bas - Benzinga - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- "Sh*t, I just want to get better. Thats what pushed me to do it, and it worked well" Chauncey Billups and other NBA stars on acupuncture -... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- People Science and Symbiome Partner to study the microbiome in the real world - Benzinga - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Bob Newhart Proves 93 Is the New 39 - Eat This, Not That - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Medical cannabis could be better alternative to opioids in managing pain - The Tribune India - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Woman killed by herbal remedies she took to treat arthritis - Evening Standard - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Get To Know The Best Natural Adderall Alternatives - Over The Counter and Non Prescription - Outlook India - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- King Charles III Has a History of Promoting 'Quackery' Alternative Medicine - Newsweek - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Remedy Place: The Fashionable Social Wellness Club Where You Can Bring All Your Friends - Vogue - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Thailand heightens its healthcare hub ambition with integrative medicine - PR Newswire UK - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- How bogus cancer treatments prey on the most vulnerable - Coda Story - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Management of Chronic Migraine in Children and Adolescents | PHMT - Dove Medical Press - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Mouth Taping: Is It Safe? - Health Essentials - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Queen Elizabeth: Seven things you need to know about the Queens passing - Toronto Star - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Building an Alternative Medical Economy in Response to 'Tyranny': Telehealth CEO - The Epoch Times - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Sesame oil: Nutrition, benefits, and more - Medical News Today - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Regenerative Medicine: An alternative to surgery and pills | Loop Cayman Islands - Loop News Cayman - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Find Euphoria: the luxury Greek spa retreat to visit now - Tatler - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- What Is Synthetic Urine & How Does It Help To Pass A Drug Test? - The Island Now - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- The science behind the healthtech startup must be understood well - Express Healthcare - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Best-in-class second-line HIV treatment rolls out in Zambia and Nigeria - Clinton Health Access Initiative - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Therapeutic effect of HFNC and NIV in patients with AECOPD | COPD - Dove Medical Press - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Five years after Kymriah: Ensuring the next cell and gene therapies reach patients - STAT - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Meet these renowned healthcare professionals who assist us in leading healthier lives - Oneindia - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Diet and Vitiligo: The Story So Far - Cureus - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Fatphobia Sucks, Especially If You're Trying to Have a Baby - VICE - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Orthomolecular Medicine, A Predictive Tool - Nation World News - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- COVID-19 vaccines and the Nuremberg Code - Science Based Medicine - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Bolstering the Blood-CNS Barrier Could Lead to New Treatment Approach for Multiple Sclerosis - University of Utah Health Care - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Lockdowns Postponed the Inevitable. Is That a Bad Thing? - Science Based Medicine - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Insomnia: A Systematic Review - Cureus - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Ayurveda As Alternative Medicine: Research And Development To Be Taken Ahead By Heal In India - Entrepreneur - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- French Doctolib platform accused of 'promoting alternative medicine' - The Connexion - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Best Ways for Treating This Condition - Healthline - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Ellen White reveals "traumatic" incident that played huge role in her retirement - GIVEMESPORT - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Curcumin and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Does It Help? - Healthline - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- In Denial: When Patients Don't Want to Believe They Have Cancer - Medscape - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Piotr Szyhalski depicts living through COVID-19 and other extreme historical phenomena - MinnPost - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Researchers identify chemo alternative for targeted treatment of leukemia patients - Devdiscourse - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- India Can Show The World The Right Path For Medical Pluralism - News18 - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Complementary and Integrative Medicine - Reeve Foundation - Christopher Reeve Foundation - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]
- Back pain: Exploring alternative treatments - Health - Life & Style - Ahram Online - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]