Hemorrhoids

Four out of five people will experience hemorrhoids in their lifetime. Also known as piles, hemorrhoids are essentially swollen or inflamed veins in the anal canal. Internal hemorrhoids form inside the anal canal, while external hemorrhoids swell near the opening of the anus.

The exact cause of hemorrhoids is unknown, but several factors can contribute to their development, including chronic constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, aging, straining during bowel movements, overuse of laxatives or enemas, prolonged sitting on the toilet (e.g., reading, etc.) and being overweight. Good preventative methods such as limiting prolonged sitting on the toilet, avoiding the overuse of laxatives and enemas, and keeping a healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains, are often all you need to prevent or relieve hemorrhoids.

Get hemorrhoid relief that works

If you think you might have hemorrhoids, the first step toward treatment and relief is recognizing the symptoms:

Rectal bleeding
Pain
Protrusion during bowel movements
Sensitive lump(s)
Unusual itching

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, let us help you find hemorrhoid relief. A board-certified colorectal specialist at our Hemorrhoid Center can evaluate, diagnose and discuss treatment options. Although not usually serious, hemorrhoids can be painful and some symptoms can be caused by other diseases, so delay in treatment can be dangerous. Without proper diagnosis, you may suffer much longer than necessary.

Hemorrhoid treatment

The TCRS Hemorrhoid Center offers the most up-to-date innovations in hemorrhoid treatment. After a complete examination to determine the type and severity of your hemorrhoids, our experienced physicians will determine the most effective treatment. Our goal is to get you feeling 100% in no time at all.

Non-surgical options

At the Hemorrhoid Center, we find that only a small percentage of patients require hemorrhoid surgery. Many mild cases are successfully relieved by changes in diet or with simple in-office procedures.

Diet & lifestyle changes are often able to relieve mild hemorrhoid symptoms. These may include increased amount of fluids and fiber (e.g., fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, and fiber supplements), eliminating excessive straining to reduce the pressure on hemorrhoids, and/or sitting in a sitz bath of warm water.

Rubber band ligation works effectively on internal hemorrhoids that bleed or protrude with bowel movements. The procedure involves placing a small rubber band around the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. The hemorrhoid and band fall off in a few days, and the wound usually heals in a week or two.

Sclerotherapy is used for smaller internal hemorrhoids that bleed but do not protrude. By injecting a solution around the blood vessels, your hemorrhoid specialist is able to cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink.

Infrared coagulation — sometimes referred to as laser — utilizes infrared light to treat internal hemorrhoid tissue. Multiple treatments are typically required and long-term results are somewhat less successful than rubber band ligation.

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is a minimally invasive procedure involving a non-excisional ultrasound technique to decrease blood flow to the hemorrhoid(s). Since this procedure does not involve the surgical removal or cutting of the hemorrhoid tissue, it is less traumatic to the body than a hemorrhoidectomy and results in a faster recovery time with minimal discomfort. In most cases, patients can resume normal activities in 4-5 days. Visit our hemorrhoid center to see if you are a candidate for this procedure.

surgical options

Occasionally, severe cases may require hemorrhoid surgery performed by a skilled surgeon on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Hemorrhoidectomy is considered the best surgical method for the complete removal of external hemorrhoids. Typically performed on an outpatient basis, hemorrhoidectomy is necessary when (1) clots repeatedly form in external hemorrhoids; (2) ligation fails to treat internal hemorrhoids; (3) the protruding hemorrhoid cannot be reduced; or (4) there is persistent bleeding. Performed under anesthesia, a hemorrhoidectomy removes the excess tissue causing the bleeding and protrusion

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy, also known as PPH (procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids), is particularly useful for patients with large prolapsing internal hemorrhoids and minimal external hemorrhoids. This minimally invasive surgical approach uses a special device to staple and excise internal hemorrhoidal tissue. This method may cause hemorrhoid shrinkage but does not remove external hemorrhoids.

Do hemorrhoids cause cancer?

No. There is no relationship between hemorrhoids and cancer. However, the symptoms of hemorrhoids — particularly bleeding, unusual itching, pain or sensitive lumps around the anal area — are similar to those of colorectal cancer and other diseases of the digestive system. This is why it is important to have a physician specially trained in treating diseases of the colon and rectum evaluate your symptoms. Reliance on over-the-counter medicines or other self-treatments is risky at best.

Hemorrhoids Center