Recurring hemorrhoids are frustrating because they impact your way of life. Getting answers and addressing the problem are your keys to finding relief. Here are some reasons why recurring hemorrhoids are a problem for you and what you can do to fix them.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Three-quarters of adults experience hemorrhoids in their life. Hemorrhoids show up for many reasons. One of the typical causes of hemorrhoids is persistent straining during bowel movements.
Pushing during a bowel movement makes the veins in your lower rectum swell. The result of this swelling causes hemorrhoids. When these veins swell, they can make passing bowel movements more difficult.
Other causes of hemorrhoids are:
- Pregnancy
- Improper lifting form
- Medications
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- And several others
Other Types of Hemorrhoids
Most people experience external hemorrhoids, which appear around the anus. But there are other types of hemorrhoids you can experience. An example of this is internal hemorrhoids, which are painless.
While discomfort from internal hemorrhoids is rare, internal hemorrhoids can bleed. You may also see blood after a bowel movement.
Another kind of internal hemorrhoid you may experience is a prolapsed hemorrhoid. Unlike internal hemorrhoids, prolapsed hemorrhoids can be severe. These are painful as they push through the anal opening, making sitting difficult.
A more severe hemorrhoid is a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Thrombosed hemorrhoids are external hemorrhoids characterized by pooled blood that has clotted. Treat these as soon as possible as they bring excruciating pain.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable, and they also bring several other symptoms. Symptoms of hemorrhoids can also include itching, burning, and pain.
In rare cases, hemorrhoids can cause:
- Anemia
- Blood clots
- Skin tags
- Cut off Blood flow to a prolapsed hemorrhoid.
Treating Hemorrhoids at Home
Home treatments depend on the kind of hemorrhoids you have and their severity. Less severe hemorrhoids go away on their own. Home treatment methods such as warm baths, medications, and over-the-counter creams can help.
More severe hemorrhoids may need surgical intervention to remove.
Why Hemorrhoids Return
If you’ve had hemorrhoids removed only to have them come back, it may be due to several factors.
A common reason for chronic hemorrhoids is constant straining during bowel movements. If you are straining during every bowel movement, there may be an underlying cause.
If this is the case, changes in diet, drinking more water, and staying active can help soften your stool. Softened stool means less pushing during bowel movements, reducing your risk of hemorrhoids.
If you have hemorrhoids, we have options that can help. Talk to one of our providers in the Waldorf area. Call the Metropolitan Vascular Institute at (301) 374-8540 to schedule a consultation.
