How to Manage Your Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a subject that most people do not love to talk about. They are not only an uncomfortable topic of discussion, but they can also be extremely uncomfortable to live with. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located in the anus and lower rectum. These clumps of veins can bleed, stretch or swell. They are very unpleasant to experience, but are usually not too serious. There are two types of hemorrhoids- those that occur inside the lower rectum which can bleed but usually do not cause much pain (internal hemorrhoids) and those that occur on the outside of the rectum (external hemorrhoids). These external hemorrhoids are typically much more uncomfortable because the skin around them can become easily irritated and swollen.
Everyone has hemorrhoid veins. Thankfully, most of us are not ever bothered by them. Hemorrhoidal bleeding or swelling can be caused by many things, including obesity, pregnancy, straining during bowel movements, frequent diarrhea or sitting for too long. In truth, anything that increases your abdomen pressure from coughing, sneezing, vomiting to holding your breath during difficult physical activity can also trigger hemorrhoids to flare. In some cases, help for hemorrhoids can come from a diet rich in high fiber or from over-the-counter medications, such as stool softeners and creams. In other cases, the hemorrhoids may be severe and a medical procedure may be needed to remove a hemorrhoid. In the past, these procedures were only offered in hospitals.
Here at Greater Boston GI, we are pleased to offer our patients the highly effective and minimally invasive CRH O’Regan banding system. This simple, painless hemorrhoid banding procedure is performed right in our office and takes only a few minutes. It can usually be combined with a regularly scheduled office visit. Typically, three sessions are scheduled a few weeks apart are needed to completely treat the problem. Recurrence of hemorrhoids after treatment is rare and relief from bleeding or pressure is usually immediate. Our board-certified physicians use the CRH O’Regan System to cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoids. They then shrink and fall off within days. Most patients usually do not even notice when it falls off.
If you are suffering from hemorrhoids, call or email our office today to discover how we can help end the pain and discomfort from this common and curable disorder.