About Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are one of the more common anorectal conditions that can affect people throughout their lives. In fact, it's been reported that nearly three-quarters of the population will develop a hemorrhoid at some point in their life. These lumps occur when veins around the anus or in the lower rectum become swollen and enlarged, resulting in a bulging mass of tissue that can range in size from small to large. While the exact cause for hemorrhoids is currently unknown, there are factors that can contribute to their development, such as one's age and genetics. At Houston Colon and Rectal Surgery, our team of board-certified surgeons offers a range of effective treatments for hemorrhoids, including nonsurgical, minimally invasive, and surgical. Contact one of our North Houston or West Houston, TX offices to learn more about hemorrhoids, how to prevent them, and your numerous solutions.
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What to Expect
External hemorrhoids can typically be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination while internal hemorrhoids may require a digital rectal exam to be identified, like an anoscopy. Before your physical evaluation, one of our surgeons will first ask about your medical history and bowel habits to help determine the potential cause of your hemorrhoid. From there, we will begin to look for signs in and around the anal area, such as lumps, swelling, irritation, anal fissures, and skin tags. During your digital rectal exam, we will check the sphincter muscles, keeping an eye out for blood, lumps, or other masses. Once your hemorrhoid has been detected, we will assess your overall condition and craft a personalized treatment plan based on the size, location, and complexity of the affected area.
Treatment Options
While hemorrhoids are a commonly occurring issue, there is a wide range of options available for treatment, including nonsurgical, surgical, and minimally invasive. Since the majority of the population will develop hemorrhoids at some point in their lives, there are many well-known home remedies that can help reduce your symptoms. These can include adopting a diet that is high in fiber, avoiding strain to pass stool, taking warm baths to aid in healing, and drinking plenty of water.
Some of the minimally invasive treatments we offer to remove hemorrhoids are:
- Rubber band litigation is a very popular option for removing hemorrhoids. To band the hemorrhoid, a small rubber band is placed around the clot, which strangulates the blood supply and causes the lump to shrink in size. Following your treatment, it will take 1 – 2 weeks for the mass to shrivel up and fall off. This procedure may be repeated once a month for three months, depending on the size of the hemorrhoid being treated.
- Sclerotherapy is an injection treatment that distributes a chemical solution into the affected vein, which will cause the lump to shrink in size over time.
For patients with more severe hemorrhoids or ones that are larger in size, we also perform safe and proven surgical solutions, including:
- Hemorrhoidectomy is the most effective way to get rid of severe hemorrhoids. Our surgeons will work with you to determine the best technique to use for this procedure. Patients receiving a hemorrhoidectomy will require either general anesthesia or local anesthesia paired with a sedative.
- THD® hemorrhoid ligation is a procedure in which the surgeon ligates, or closes off, the vessels that carry arterial blood to the hemorrhoid, which reduces the flow of blood to the area and causes the hemorrhoid to prolapse. It is often performed using a special THD Doppler probe and an anoscope.
Prior to your hemorrhoid treatment, a member of our team will give you detailed pre- and post-op instructions so that you know exactly what to expect and to ensure that your procedure goes smoothly. You may be advised to cease taking certain medications for a specific amount of time before and after your treatment. You should also attend any scheduled follow-up appointments so we can monitor your progress and make sure you're recovering well.
GET RELIEF FROM HEMORRHOIDS
Patients from all over Northwest Houston frequently visit Houston Colon and Rectal Surgery experiencing concerns related to hemorrhoids. While these bulging veins can often cause pain and discomfort, there is good news: modern tricks and techniques can be implemented to ensure that your anorectal health is restored. If you've noticed abnormal warning signs, like bleeding, lumps, swelling or irritation of the anus, or prolapsed tissue, we urge you to contact one of our offices and schedule an appointment with a colorectal specialist in your area.