Hemorrhoids
Not many people know it, but hemorrhoids are actually a form of varicose veins. The term 'varicose' means enlarged or swollen. Although most people think of varicose veins as occurring in the legs, the fact is that any veins in the body can become swollen, including the veins of the anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids can be the result of straining during bowel movements. Women often experience increased pressure in this area during pregnancy, which can also result in hemorrhoids.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include leakage of feces, rectal pain or discomfort, bleeding during bowel movements that is not accompanied by pain, itching, irritation, swelling around the anus, and a lump near the anus which may be sensitive. The types and degree of symptoms experienced with hemorrhoids can often depend on their location. Some hemorrhoids may be internal, meaning they occur inside the rectum. This type of hemorrhoid typically cannot be felt or seen, and it usually does not cause pain or discomfort.
Causes
Hemorrhoids can develop from many different causes. These include straining during bowel movements, obesity, pregnancy, anal intercourse, sitting for long periods of time, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, and low-fiber diet. Additionally, hemorrhoids often occur in older patients because tissue that supports the veins in the anus can become weakened and stretch.
Diagnosis
There a number of methods gastrointestinal doctors in Queens may use to diagnose hemorrhoids. These include digital rectal examination of the anal canal for abnormalities. During this procedure, a doctor will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for growths or other anomalies. Visual inspection of the anal canal may also be performed with sigmoidoscope or even a colon cancer screening (colonoscopy). The reason a colonoscopy may be performed is because internal hemorrhoids may be causing bleeding. In order to detect the cause of the bleeding, a colonoscopy in Queens may be used as a diagnostic tool in order to find the reason for the anal bleeding.
Treatment
Often, the treatment for hemorrhoids is a matter of lifestyle changes that can manage or improve hemorrhoids, or even eliminate them. There are some medications that can be used to relieve mild discomfort of hemorrhoids. Gastroenterology doctors may recommend the use of over-the-counter ointments, suppositories, or creams for symptom relief. Hydrocortisone is an ingredient that is often used to relieve hemorrhoidal symptoms. Additionally, witch hazel can be found in some over-the-count creams and ointments to temporarily relieve symptoms.
Home remedies
There are quite a few remedies that can be performed at home that are effective at relieving the mild pain, swelling, and itching of hemorrhoids. These include, as mentioned above, topical treatments such as the use of over-the-counter hemorrhoidal creams, ointments, suppositories, or pads that contain witch hazel or hydrocortisone. Another effective treatment for hemorrhoids that can be done in the home is to soak in a warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes as much as two to three times per day. A sitz bath, which fits over the toilet, can also be effective for relieving hemorrhoidal symptoms. Additionally, gastrointestinal doctors recommend that patients with hemorrhoids avoid using dry toilet paper, opting instead for wet toilet paper or moist towelettes, and to make sure that these do not contain alcohol or perfumes. Oral pain relievers such as Tylenol can also help to relieve symptoms, as well as the application of a cold compress or ice pack.
It is important for patients who suffer from hemorrhoids to keep the anal area clean and to bathe or shower on a regular basis. It is also recommended that they gently dry the anal area, if necessary, with a hair dryer after bathing or showering to avoid wetness. Soap is not recommended for use during showering or bathing in patients with hemorrhoids, as it may irritate hemorrhoids and exacerbate symptoms. If these home remedies are not effective in making hemorrhoids go away, people suffering from hemorrhoids should see their doctor.
Hemorrhoids are a very common problem in the United States. The good news is that they don't have to be chronic, and their symptoms can be treated. If you're experiencing any of the symptoms of hemorrhoids, try one or a combination of home remedies for relief. If you do not experience relief with these, it is recommended that you contact a gastrointestinal doctor in Queens for diagnosis and for treatments that can improve or eliminate your symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include leakage of feces, rectal pain or discomfort, bleeding during bowel movements that is not accompanied by pain, itching, irritation, swelling around the anus, and a lump near the anus which may be sensitive. The types and degree of symptoms experienced with hemorrhoids can often depend on their location. Some hemorrhoids may be internal, meaning they occur inside the rectum. This type of hemorrhoid typically cannot be felt or seen, and it usually does not cause pain or discomfort.
Causes
Hemorrhoids can develop from many different causes. These include straining during bowel movements, obesity, pregnancy, anal intercourse, sitting for long periods of time, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, and low-fiber diet. Additionally, hemorrhoids often occur in older patients because tissue that supports the veins in the anus can become weakened and stretch.
Diagnosis
There a number of methods gastrointestinal doctors in Queens may use to diagnose hemorrhoids. These include digital rectal examination of the anal canal for abnormalities. During this procedure, a doctor will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for growths or other anomalies. Visual inspection of the anal canal may also be performed with sigmoidoscope or even a colon cancer screening (colonoscopy). The reason a colonoscopy may be performed is because internal hemorrhoids may be causing bleeding. In order to detect the cause of the bleeding, a colonoscopy in Queens may be used as a diagnostic tool in order to find the reason for the anal bleeding.
Treatment
Often, the treatment for hemorrhoids is a matter of lifestyle changes that can manage or improve hemorrhoids, or even eliminate them. There are some medications that can be used to relieve mild discomfort of hemorrhoids. Gastroenterology doctors may recommend the use of over-the-counter ointments, suppositories, or creams for symptom relief. Hydrocortisone is an ingredient that is often used to relieve hemorrhoidal symptoms. Additionally, witch hazel can be found in some over-the-count creams and ointments to temporarily relieve symptoms.
Home remedies
There are quite a few remedies that can be performed at home that are effective at relieving the mild pain, swelling, and itching of hemorrhoids. These include, as mentioned above, topical treatments such as the use of over-the-counter hemorrhoidal creams, ointments, suppositories, or pads that contain witch hazel or hydrocortisone. Another effective treatment for hemorrhoids that can be done in the home is to soak in a warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes as much as two to three times per day. A sitz bath, which fits over the toilet, can also be effective for relieving hemorrhoidal symptoms. Additionally, gastrointestinal doctors recommend that patients with hemorrhoids avoid using dry toilet paper, opting instead for wet toilet paper or moist towelettes, and to make sure that these do not contain alcohol or perfumes. Oral pain relievers such as Tylenol can also help to relieve symptoms, as well as the application of a cold compress or ice pack.
It is important for patients who suffer from hemorrhoids to keep the anal area clean and to bathe or shower on a regular basis. It is also recommended that they gently dry the anal area, if necessary, with a hair dryer after bathing or showering to avoid wetness. Soap is not recommended for use during showering or bathing in patients with hemorrhoids, as it may irritate hemorrhoids and exacerbate symptoms. If these home remedies are not effective in making hemorrhoids go away, people suffering from hemorrhoids should see their doctor.
Hemorrhoids are a very common problem in the United States. The good news is that they don't have to be chronic, and their symptoms can be treated. If you're experiencing any of the symptoms of hemorrhoids, try one or a combination of home remedies for relief. If you do not experience relief with these, it is recommended that you contact a gastrointestinal doctor in Queens for diagnosis and for treatments that can improve or eliminate your symptoms.