When Do Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention?

Oct 04, 2022

Hemorrhoids are normal anatomical structures that everyone has at the lower end of their GI tract. However, they cause issues for millions of Americans who experience pain, bleeding, and discomfort after using the toilet, and they can worsen over time.

These normal structures can become problematic due to straining or putting excess pressure on them while passing bowel movements.

Hemorrhoids are a network of veins under the skin. These veins are of two types: internal, which are found inside the anus and swell up with blood when bowel movements are being passed, and external, which are found at the edge of the anus.

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates, our skilled team removes problematic hemorrhoids using a non-surgical treatment that involves cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoids, causing them to die off on their own.

Read on to learn about some of the ways you can manage your hemorrhoids at home, and find out how to determine whether or not you need medical intervention.

Hemorrhoids causes

Hemorrhoids are often caused by straining and blood clots. They’re more likely to appear if you suffer from chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea, or if you’re obese, pregnant, or taking certain medications.

Conservative treatments for hemorrhoids

Most people can see some improvement in their hemorrhoids by making the following changes:

Using an over-the-counter cream for hemorrhoid-induced pain
Treating constipation
Taking warm baths
Spending less time on the toilet

You should see improvements in your symptoms within two to three days, but if the pain persists or if you notice blood in the toilet bowl, seek medical attention.

Treatments for hemorrhoids

Before removing your hemorrhoids, our experts will look at your medical history and perform some examinations to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Pain and rectal bleeding can indicate other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), anal fissures, or cancer.

If your hemorrhoids are found to be the cause of your discomfort and don't improve with a few lifestyle changes, our experts can remove them by using a rubber band to block blood flow to them, which causes them to die off within a week or two. Carolina Digestive Health Associates, PA, uses the CRH O’Regan System® for hemorrhoid banding.

To prevent hemorrhoids from recurring, you may need to avoid straining and keep track of which foods make you constipated. This way, you can avoid irritation of the hemorrhoids.