What are Hemorrhoids?

What are Hemorrhoids?

Find out if the uncomfortable symptoms you are having are due to hemorrhoids and how your Fair Lawn, NJ gastroenterologist can help.

Do you notice pain or discomfort when passing bowel movements? Do you notice little specks of red blood when you wipe? While these are all issues that may feel a bit embarrassing to admit let alone talk about, these symptoms are often that of hemorrhoids, a common problem that isn’t serious. Find out more about hemorrhoids and when to see a GI doctor for help.

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are inflamed or enlarged veins that develop either on the inside or outside of the rectum. There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. If you have internal hemorrhoids then you may not even notice them. It’s external hemorrhoids that are the most common and can cause some minor but still unpleasant symptoms.

What are some symptoms of hemorrhoids?

If you have external hemorrhoids then you may notice discomfort during bowel movements. If they are really severe, you may have trouble sitting down without experiencing pain. Itching is also a common symptom associated with this condition. Luckily, hemorrhoids can easily be treated!

How are hemorrhoids treated? Should I see your Fair Lawn, NJ gastroenterologist?

In many cases, hemorrhoids don’t need any special treatment, and they can often just heal on their own. Of course, there are ways to manage your symptoms to make going to the bathroom a little easier. One at-home measure you can take is to soak in a sitz bath for about 10 minutes daily. The warm water can provide some welcomed relief from pain and itching.

Be gentle when wiping after bowel movements. Aggressive cleaning will end up having the opposite effect and can aggravate hemorrhoids. If you are dealing with swelling or discomfort that isn’t relieved with a sitz bath you can also try a cold compress to the area or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

If you aren’t experiencing relief from your at-home care after about one week, it’s a good idea to talk to a gastroenterologist who can determine whether you may need more aggressive treatment like a rubber band ligation procedure.

If your symptoms aren’t going away then it’s time to give your Fair Lawn, NJ gastroenterologist a call and see what we can do for you. GI problems happen to everyone, at some point or another. Just know we are here to help whenever you need it most.