Determining the Diagnosis When symptoms can be caused by more than one disease, doctors call it a differential diagnosis.
Here are five different causes for hemorrhoid symptoms you need to know about: Colon cancer and rectal cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease IBD.
This condition, which Hall says includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease , can cause rectal bleeding and discomfort. Both types of IBD are long-term diseases that usually begin in young adults, he says.
Symptoms may include cramps, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever. Anal fissures. Anal fissures can cause pain, burning, and bleeding. They can occur at any age and are usually caused by constipation. Anal fissures usually clear up with home treatments similar to those used for hemorrhoids. Pruritis ani. It may result from too much moisture or a food sensitivity. Treatment involves keeping the area dry, avoiding scrubbing, and using a prescription ointment or cream.
Fortunately, a number of minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatments are available that are less painful than traditional hemorrhoid removal hemorrhoidectomy and allow a quicker recovery.
These procedures are generally performed in a surgeon's office or as outpatient surgery in a hospital. Band it. The most commonly used hemorrhoid treatment in the United States is rubber band ligation, in which a small elastic band is placed around the base of a hemorrhoid see box above.
The band causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and the surrounding tissue to scar as it heals, holding the hemorrhoid in place. It takes two to four procedures, done six to eight weeks apart, to completely eliminate the hemorrhoid.
Complications, which are rare, include mild pain or tightness usually relieved with a sitz bath , bleeding, and infection. Other office procedures include laser or infrared coagulation, sclerotherapy, and cryosurgery.
They all work on the same principle as rubber band ligation but are not quite as effective in preventing recurrence. Side effects and recurrence vary with the procedure, so consult your physician about what's best for your situation. You may need surgery if you have large protruding hemorrhoids, persistently symptomatic external hemorrhoids, or internal hemorrhoids that return despite rubber band ligation.
In a traditional hemorrhoidectomy, a narrow incision is made around both external and internal hemorrhoid tissue and the offending blood vessels are removed. The procedure requires general anesthesia, but patients can go home the same day. Patients can usually return to work after 7—10 days. Despite the drawbacks, many people are pleased to have a definitive solution to their hemorrhoids.
An alternative to traditional hemorrhoidectomy is called stapled hemorrhoidopexy. This procedure treats bleeding or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. The surgeon uses a stapling device to anchor the hemorrhoids in their normal position. Like traditional hemorrhoid removal, stapled hemorrhoidopexy is performed under general anesthesia as day surgery.
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health?
Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys.
Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Can vaping help you quit smoking? Sometimes an internal hemorrhoid pushes down or stretches until it bulges outside of the anus prolapse.
This could manifest as a pinching sensation in the anal area, or you may notice a painless lump when you wipe after a bowel movement. The extra bumps and crevasses of hemorrhoids could lead to improper cleaning of the area, resulting in anal itching. Hemorrhoids have a number of predisposing causes but, in most cases, increased pressure in the abdomen plays a key role. Some of the most common underlying factors for developing hemorrhoids include constipation and straining during bowel movements, repeated lifting of heavy objects, frequent diarrhea, prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, and pregnancy.
Excessive abdominal pressure can cause the small veins around the anus and rectum to stretch. As the veins lose their elasticity, they become distended with blood and more likely to thrombose and become more fragile.
Pregnant women are particularly prone to hemorrhoids, partially because the enlarging uterus sits directly on the blood vessels that drain veins near the rectum and anus. Your physician might diagnose hemorrhoids following a physical examination of the anus and rectum. This can include a rectal exam performed with a gloved, lubricated finger, or with a small instrument that will allow your physician to visualize the rectum more closely. Rectal bleeding could be a symptom of other, potentially more serious, conditions.
One source of bleeding could be anal fissures, which are tears in the lining of the anus causing pain when passing a bowel movement.
Some types of inflammatory bowel disease can also cause rectal bleeding, as can tumours of the rectum and colon.
If you pass blood from the anus, then you should consult with your physician to determine if further testing is required. It is very important to avoid straining while having a bowel movement, as this puts extra pressure on the anal area. The management of hemorrhoids typically involves a number of moderate dietary and lifestyle changes to ensure soft and formed stools, which help to avoid pressure in the rectal area.
Fibre and fluid help soften stool, allowing it to move more quickly and easily through the colon, rectum, and anus, which reduces strain. Aim for g of fibre daily, consumed evenly throughout the day.
To help monitor your fibre intake, check the nutrient content on the labels of packaged foods. Make gradual changes while increasing fibre intake, as this approach could help you to avoid the bloating, gas, and general abdominal discomfort that could occur as your body adapts to the dietary modifications. There are also some commercial fibre supplements available. These include bran, psyllium seed, or ispaghula husk derivatives e. For more information on fibre, visit our website or contact our office.
Most hemorrhoid sufferers will find good results with the use of a basic fibre supplement; however, if constipation continues to remain a problem, then products containing the herb senna could offer additional relief.
0コメント