Maybe you noticed pain or pressure when using the bathroom. Or perhaps you spotted blood in the bowl or on your underwear. Now you’re concerned that you might have hemorrhoids.
Up to 75% of Americans may develop hemorrhoids in their lifetime. They’re enlarged veins in or around the anus and rectum, often causing pain, itching, or bleeding with bowel movements.
It’s a very common medical condition, but one that you may be hesitant to discuss with your doctor.
Hemorrhoids range in size and location. Small hemorrhoids may cause only mild discomfort and clear up on their own within a few days, but larger hemorrhoids can cause significant pain and bleeding that needs professional care.
Find effective treatment for hemorrhoids with the help of Elvira Klause, MD, FACS. Dr. Klause and our team recommend treatments that are designed to relieve your discomfort quickly, from at-home care to minimally invasive procedures.
If you notice pain or bleeding with bowel movements, get a doctor’s diagnosis, especially if you’ve never had hemorrhoids before. Dr. Klause performs an exam to diagnose hemorrhoids and rule out other conditions before recommending a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Sitz baths are one of the simplest and most effective methods for relieving hemorrhoid pain. Dr. Klause may recommend sitting in warm water several times a day and after bowel movements to soothe away pain and shrink hemorrhoids.
Other at-home remedies for hemorrhoids include applying topical treatments like over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams, hydrocortisone, or witch hazel. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can temporarily relieve discomfort as well.
To help prevent hemorrhoids, eat a diet that’s high in fiber and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Fiber and staying hydrated make stools easier to pass and help reduce the risk of straining during bowel movements.
When at-home treatments aren’t enough to take care of painful hemorrhoids, Dr. Klause can help. We offer several different treatments in our San Clemente, California, office.
Dr. Klause often recommends simple, incision-free procedures like rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy for mild to moderate hemorrhoids.
In rubber band ligation, she ties off the hemorrhoid to cut circulation. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical into the hemorrhoid. Both of these in-office procedures shrink hemorrhoids and make them disappear over time.
These treatments are often successful at eliminating hemorrhoids and relieving symptoms, but if you’re still living with hemorrhoid discomfort, more advanced procedures are available.
Dr. Klause may recommend minimally invasive transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization or hemorrhoidectomy for internal or difficult-to-treat hemorrhoids.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans with hemorrhoids, there’s no need to be embarrassed. Get started finding relief from your discomfort today. Call our office or use our online system to book your first appointment today.
