What Do Hemorrhoids Feel Like?

When you feel persistent itching after having a bowel movement, it may be an early sign of hemorrhoids. Severe pain follows if you leave the piles untreated. While over-the-counter remedies may help, you/re better off seeing a vein specialist in Brooklyn to be sure it’s hemorrhoids and not rectal cancer or tears in the anus. One of the best Brooklyn vein clinics is Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center, where you find a well-renowned varicose vein doctor who’s experienced in hemorrhoids treatment. Call sooner rather than wait for them to get worse.

Do Hemorrhoids Always Cause Discomfort?

Veins lose flexibility over time, which can lead to a variety of problems depending on where the veins are located. When veins in the rectal area loosen and become inflamed and less flexible, they’re known as hemorrhoids or piles. The veins affected can be internal or external. You may not even notice if you have hemorrhoids, especially if they’re only internal hemorrhoids. On the other hand, you may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms like bleeding, itching and pain.

If discomfort from hemorrhoids is disrupting your daily life, or if you have other vein problems such as varicose veins, spider veins or other circulation problems, you need an experienced and knowledgeable varicose vein doctor in Brooklyn. Your best option is Dr. George Bolotin, founder and director of Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center.

What Do Piles Feel Like?

Internal hemorrhoids have few nerve endings and don’t cause as much discomfort, but very often lead to bleeding. You may become aware you have external hemorrhoids when you become uncomfortable while sitting down.

Symptoms can be mild or severe and include:

• Anal itching
• Swelling or a small lump protruding from the anus that’s usually bluish in color and tender to the touch
• Bleeding during bowel movements, which may be bright red
• Pain that’s throbbing, aching, burning, dull or sharp while sitting or during bowel movements

If an external hemorrhoid becomes thrombosed, it means it contains a blood clot. This can cause severe pain and looks like a swollen lump. Thrombosed hemorrhoids can become infected and cause a fever; your vascular specialist in Brooklyn, NY may recommend that a thrombosed hemorrhoid be removed right away.

Hemorrhoids that stretch and bulge outside the anus are known as prolapsed hemorrhoids. They can become irritated, painful or swollen and sometimes interfere with your ability to have a bowel movement.

Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids?

There are several different reasons you may develop hemorrhoids. Women often develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy or right after giving birth.

Other common reasons hemorrhoids appear include:

• Family history of hemorrhoids
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Obesity
• Straining during bowel movements
• Lifting heavy objects
• Anal intercourse

Many people are surprised to hear that sitting on the toilet too long can contribute to developing hemorrhoids. If you have a poor diet that doesn’t contain much fiber, you’re at a high risk of developing hemorrhoids. Since veins weaken with age, the aging process is another risk factor and many people over the age of 50 have hemorrhoids.

How Can I Get Relief from Hemorrhoid Symptoms?

The good news is that most hemorrhoids are minor and there are several things you can do at home that can help relieve your symptoms once you’ve visited the vein center in Brooklyn.

Some things that your vein doctor may recommend when hemorrhoids are in the early stages include:

• Medication. Use creams and ointments that are intended to relieve hemorrhoidal irritation. Creams that contain hydrocortisone may also provide some relief. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
• Be gentle. Don’t use dry toilet paper after bowel movements. Use wet wipes or a cotton ball dipped in witch hazel.
• Warm baths. Soak in a warm bath for 10 or 15 minutes three or four times a day. Make sure the water’s warm and not hot. Soak in a tub or a sitz bath, which is a tub that fits over the toilet.
• Donut pillow. Sit on a donut pillow to relieve pressure on the rectal area.
• Fiber. Eat plenty of high fiber foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. If you’re unable to do this, start using a fiber supplement. Start slowly, because fiber supplements can cause gas, abdominal cramps and bloating.

Drink a lot of water throughout the day to help prevent constipation and soften stools. Avoid having a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity can help you to feel better and improve your digestive health.

What if Home Remedies Aren’t Working on My Hemorrhoids?

Itching and pain caused by hemorrhoids often is controllable with home remedies and OTC treatments. Hemorrhoids sometimes clear up by themselves after about a week.

But if they don’t, you may need to consult a vein doctor in Brooklyn, especially when:

• Symptoms have worsened or not improved after a week
• Bleeding is getting worse or is accompanied by dizziness, which may be a sign of anemia
• You have severe rectal pain
• You have signs of infection
• Hemorrhoids interfere with bowel movements

Hemorrhoids are a common problem, but not all lumps and bleeding in the rectal area are caused by hemorrhoids, so it’s important to see a vein specialist in Brooklyn if your symptoms aren’t easily controlled. Not only do you receive effective hemorrhoid treatments, to get rid of them fast, but you also receive an accurate diagnosis.

What Hemorrhoid Treatments Are Available at the Brooklyn Vein Center?

When you visit a vein clinic in Brooklyn for hemorrhoid treatment, your NYC vein doctor does a thorough exam to make sure your symptoms are caused by hemorrhoids.

He may recommend minimally invasive treatment options, such as:

• Inserting coils to stop the flow of blood
• Tying off the hemorrhoid with a tiny rubber band causing it to shrink and fall off in a few days
• Injecting the hemorrhoid with a chemical to destroy hemorrhoidal tissue
• Shrinking hemorrhoids with laser or heat

If you have symptoms of hemorrhoids and they aren’t getting better, don’t hesitate to consult a varicose vein doctor in Brooklyn. These outpatient treatment options are painless and may prevent the need for surgery. To schedule an appointment, contact Astra Vein & Fibroid Treatment Center today.