Hemorrhoids
Overview
Causes
The exact cause not known. It may be due to:
- Chronic constipation that results in straining during bowel movements
- A buildup of pressure or fluid inside the belly, such as from pregnancy or health problems
Risk Factors
This problem is more common in older adults. Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Having any of the problems that cause hemorrhoids
- Having other family members who have hemorrhoids
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- Chronic coughing
- Chronic diarrhea
- Obesity
- Long term use of enemas or laxatives
- Liver disease
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Some people may not have symptoms. Others may have problems that range from mild to severe. Common ones are:
-
Bleeding, which may be seen:
- On stool
- On toilet paper
- In the toilet bowl
- Anal itching and burning
- Swelling and pain during bowel movements
- Sensitive lumps around the anus
Treatments
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and promote healing.
Initial Treatments
Initial treatments may be:
- Supportive care, such as warm baths or cold packs
- Lifestyle changes, such as a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids
-
Medicines to ease pain, such as:
- Ointments, creams, and suppositories applied to the skin
- Over the counter pain relievers taken by mouth
Procedures
Procedures may be done when other methods are not helpful. Options are:
- Rubber band ligation—places a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow to it until it withers away
- Sclerotherapy—injects a chemical mix near the vein to scar and shrink the vein
- Coagulation therapy—uses electricity, laser, or infrared light to shrink the tissue
- Hemorrhoidectomy—uses surgery to remove the hemorrhoid
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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