If you’ve experienced unusual bleeding during a bowel movement, or itching and pain in your anal region, then you may be suffering from hemorrhoids.
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins found in the lowest part of the rectum and anus. This is a very common condition, affecting about three out of four adults. Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding. Although they’re not life-threatening, they can be a source of discomfort.
Types of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid symptoms can vary and these will depend on the type of hemorrhoids you have.
Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are found far inside the rectum. Hence, you don’t usually see or feel them. And since there are few pain-sensing nerves in that area, this type of hemorrhoid generally doesn’t cause pain. The most common sign of internal hemorrhoid is bleeding.
External Hemorrhoids
Unlike the internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids are painful. It’s because they are under the skin around the anus, where there are more pain-sensing nerves. Aside from the discomfort, external hemorrhoids can also cause bleeding.
What causes them?
There are different possible reasons why you may develop hemorrhoids. But generally, they are caused by an increase or buildup of pressure in the lower rectal area. This increase in pressure causes the veins in the area to swell or bulge.
Pressure can build up in the rectal area as a result of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, straining during bowel movements, and changes associated with pregnancy.
Can they be treated?
Despite what you may think, hemorrhoids can be treated virtually painlessly with little-to-no downtime. If you’re considering hemorrhoid treatment, Premier Hemorrhoid Center can help.
Our dedicated hemorrhoid specialist is able to perform non-surgical treatment in as little as 10 minutes! Infrared coagulation, which is our leading treatment for hemorrhoids is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure, which provides you with relief from hemorrhoids in a virtually pain-free way.
Have a question? Visit our website, or call (865) 588-9952.