Information From Your Health Care Provider

HEMORRHOIDS

Basic information

description

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins of the rectum or anus. Hemorrhoids may be located inside of the anal canal, or at the anal opening. They may be present for years, but go unnoticed until bleeding occurs.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Rectal bleeding. Bright-red blood may show as streaks on toilet paper or be a part of a bowel movement. Blood may be a slow trickle for a short while following bowel movements. It almost always colors the toilet water.
Pain, itching, or discharge after bowel movements.
A lump or swelling that can be felt in the anus.
A feeling that the rectum has not emptied completely after a bowel movement.

causes

Repeated pressure on the anal or rectal veins, which causes them to stretch.

risk increases with

A diet that lacks fiber.
Prolonged sitting or standing.
Overweight people.
Pregnancy.
Chronic constipation or diarrhea.
Loss of muscle tone in older adults.
Rectal surgery or episiotomy.
Liver disease.
Anal sex.
Colon cancer.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Don't try to hurry bowel movements, but do try to avoid straining and prolonged sitting on the toilet.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Include plenty of fiber in your diet.
Drink plenty of fluids each day.
Exercise regularly.

expected outcomes

Hemorrhoids usually clear up with proper care, but symptoms may come and go. Stubborn cases may require surgery.

possible complications

Anemia, if there is a lot of blood loss.
Severe pain caused by a blood clot in a hemorrhoid.
Infection or inflammation of a hemorrhoid.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider can diagnose hemorrhoids by a physical exam of the rectal area. Medical tests may be done to check for complications.
Treatment is aimed at easing the symptoms.
Never strain to push your stool out.
When sitting on the toilet, place feet on a low footstool to aid bowel movement.
Clean the anal area gently with soft, moist paper after each bowel movement.
To relieve pain, sit in 8 to 10 inches of warm water for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day.
To reduce pain and swelling of a blood clot or swollen hemorrhoid, stay in bed for 1 day and apply ice packs to the anal area.
Fixative procedures or surgery may be recommended when simple treatment measures are not helping the symptoms.

medications

For minor pain, itching, or to reduce swelling, you may use drug products to relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids. If these symptoms occur during pregnancy, ask your obstetric provider which drugs are safe to use.
Use a stool softener, if a laxative is needed.
Other drugs may be prescribed for complications.

activity

Get 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. Bowel function improves with good physical fitness.

diet

To prevent constipation, eat a well-balanced diet that contains many high-fiber foods.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid daily.
Go on a weight loss diet if you are overweight.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of hemorrhoids .
Hemorrhoids continue to cause severe pain.
A hard lump develops where a hemorrhoid has been.
Rectal bleeding is heavy.