Hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions affecting the veins in the rectal area.

We sat down with Dr. Stone Mitchell, Medical Director of the Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville to provide you with hemorrhoid facts and tips.

What are hemorrhoids?
“A hemorrhoid is a swollen vein within the rectum. It can be caused by anything that increases the pressure in that vein like coughing, straining, or pregnancy.”

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
“The most common are itching and irritation.”

Other symptoms may include pain or discomfort, swelling around the anus, and bleeding.

How common are hemorrhoids?
“Probably about fifty percent of the population in the world have hemorrhoids but many don’t realize it because they are internal and they don’t have symptoms.”

There are two different kinds of hemorrhoids – external and internal.

External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus while internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum.

Who is at risk?
“Those who have increased pressure in the veins around the rectal area. Examples are pregnant women, those who stand and strain for long, and people with a family history of it.”

Aging can also be a risk factor for hemorrhoids. As we age, the tissues that support the veins in our rectum and anus could weaken.

How are hemorrhoids best treated?
“Modern treatments or non-surgical treatments are treatments that make hemorrhoids go away without surgery. An example is infrared coagulation laser treatment.

With infrared coagulation laser treatment, the laser cuts off the blood supply to hemorrhoid and it shrinks up and disappears.

The common and traditional one is surgery. They cut out and remove hemorrhoids, which usually results in longer and more painful recovery.

Why choose the Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center for hemorrhoid treatment?
“Our hemorrhoid treatment center is unique because we are only dedicated to non-surgical treatments for hemorrhoids in the East Tennessee area. I think that’s what makes us distinctive and special.”

Not sure if you have hemorrhoids? Take this simple self-assessment.

To request an appointment with Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center, you may call our confidential hemorrhoid hotline at (865) 588-9952.

Reference:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268