Hemorrhoids (also called piles) are blood vessels in your anus and the terminal section of your rectum that swell up with blood. They’re a lot like varicose veins in that they’re caused by excessive pressure on the veins in your rectum.
At the offices of colorectal surgeon Robert G Yavrouian, MD, in Glendale and Los Angeles, California, our team sees many patients with hemorrhoids, which can be anything from little more than a nuisance to downright painful. We have several treatment options to help, but there are ways you can help prevent them from forming in the first place.
Hemorrhoids may develop inside or outside your rectum, depending on where the vein swells. There are three types:
External hemorrhoids are swollen veins that form beneath the skin around your anus, the canal where your poop comes out. They can be itchy and painful, and, occasionally, they may bleed. Sometimes, the blood inside the vein clots. It isn’t dangerous, but it can cause pain and swelling.
Internal hemorrhoids are swollen veins that form inside your rectum. Your rectum connects your large intestine to your anus to expel digestive waste. These hemorrhoids may bleed, but they aren’t generally painful.
Both internal and external hemorrhoids can prolapse, stretching and bulging outside of your anus. These hemorrhoids may bleed or cause pain. You may be able to feel them bulging; just gently push them back inside and make an appointment with Dr. Yavrouian.
Hemorrhoids are caused primarily by straining, which puts pressure on veins in your anus or rectum. Anything that increases pressure on your abdomen or lower extremities can cause anal and rectal veins to swell and become inflamed, including:
They can also be caused by a low-fiber diet and being overweight or obese.
Hemorrhoids are very common, with an estimated 1 in 20 Americans having symptomatic hemorrhoids. They don’t discriminate, affecting people of all ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities. They’re more common as you get older, though, with more than 50% of people over age 50 developing them.
It’s important that you seek medical attention for hemorrhoids, as other, more serious conditions can cause similar symptoms.
For example, anal fissures cause symptoms such as itching, pain, and rectal bleeding, which are the same as for hemorrhoids, but they come from a different cause. In the case of fissures, a tear in the anus’ lining causes the problem. Dr. Yavrouian can tell the difference with a simple physical exam.
A number of gastrointestinal disorders can also cause rectal bleeding and other hemorrhoidal symptoms. Some of these disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are life-threatening, so it’s important to follow up with the doctor for a diagnosis and proper treatment.
You can prevent, or at least treat, your hemorrhoids at home by:
Definitely come into the office to see Dr. Yavrouian if you still have symptoms after one week of at-home treatment or are bleeding from your rectum.
Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable, painful, and a bit embarrassing, but you don’t need to live with the condition. Contact the office of Robert G Yavrouian, MD, by calling us at either location to set up a consultation.
