When to see a Colorectal Surgeon for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are stressful, especially when they cause pain when you sit, itching that keeps you awake at night, or burning that makes you dread every trip to the bathroom. Though hemorrhoids are common, with around one in 20 Americans dealing with hemorrhoids at least once in their lifetime, it can also feel embarrassing to reach out for treatment. 

Many hemorrhoids improve with home care, but if symptoms are severe or keep coming back, seeing a colorectal surgeon is the best way to discover what is actually causing them and provide effective treatment for lasting relief. 

Read on to learn more about hemorrhoids, what you can do at home for hemorrhoid relief, and when it’s time to get the best hemorrhoid treatment in Los Angeles. 

Hemorrhoids: Symptoms, Causes, and Home Care Tips

Hemorrhoids are swollen, irritated veins in and around the anus and lower rectum, and they can make simple activities like sitting, walking, or using the bathroom uncomfortable. There are two types of hemorrhoids: 

• Internal hemorrhoids sit inside the anal canal and often cause bright red bleeding without much pain at first.
• External hemorrhoids form under the skin near the opening and can feel like a tender bump that burns, itches, or throbs. 

Hemorrhoids often flare when pressure builds in the area, which can happen with: 

• Constipation
• Straining during a bowel movement
• Sitting on the toilet too long
• Pregnancy
• Heavy lifting
• Obesity
• Having chronic diarrhea

Most mild hemorrhoid cases can be cared for at home and will eventually shrink and disappear on their own. Some simple home care steps include: 

• Take an over-the-counter stool softener and increase your daily fiber intake to help prevent straining during a bowel movement 
• A warm sitz bath to help calm burning and itching 
• Use gentle, unscented wipes or rinse with warm water instead of rough toilet paper
• Apply over-the-counter creams to help with itching, burning, and inflammation temporarily 

If bleeding, pain, or swelling lasts more than one to two weeks with home care, or symptoms worsen, seeing the best colorectal surgeon in Los Angeles can help with advanced treatments.

Hemorrhoid Red Flags: When to see a Colorectal Surgeon 

Even though hemorrhoids are common, bleeding and pain are not symptoms you should brush off, because symptoms of other problems like anal fissures, infections, rectal polyps, and colorectal cancer can overlap. Getting an exam can help you receive an accurate diagnosis and develop a conservative treatment plan that provides relief. 

Red flags that can point to something more serious include: 

• You experience persistent rectal bleeding 
• The rectal bleeding is heavy 
• Rectal bleeding along with other symptoms, like fatigue, dizziness, or unexplained weight loss
• Stools that look like coffee grounds or tar 

Getting a colonoscopy is the best way to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding, which may include colon cancer, anal fistulas, or other medical conditions involving the lower colon. 

Non-Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatments

Many patients avoid major surgery with office-based treatments that are done quickly and do not require an overnight hospital stay. Two of the most common and best non-invasive hemorrhoid treatments in Los Angeles include: 

• Hemorrhoid sclerotherapy: A small amount of medicine is injected into the hemorrhoid to help it shrink. 
• Infrared coagulation (IRC): A short burst of infrared energy is applied to reduce blood flow to the hemorrhoid, allowing it to shrink over time. 

These treatments are aimed at shrinking internal hemorrhoids and reducing bleeding, and they can be a good fit when symptoms are persistent. 

Advanced Hemorrhoid Treatments

Sometimes hemorrhoids can become very large and even protrude outside of the anus. They can also recur, even when you do everything right with fiber and hydration. In these cases, more advanced hemorrhoid treatment is usually necessary. If you’ve been dealing with large or painful hemorrhoids for a long time, focus on finding the best laser treatment for hemorrhoids in Los Angeles, which can provide relief from hemorrhoids in as little as one visit.

Finding the Best Colorectal Surgeon in Los Angeles for Hemorrhoid Treatment

If hemorrhoids have you planning your day around pain, bleeding, or the fear of going to the bathroom, you deserve care that’s personalized and effective. 

Dr. Karen Zaghiyan delivers the kind of patient-centered care people look for in a colorectal surgeon, with deep expertise in anorectal conditions and a focus on treating the problem while preserving healthy tissue and normal function. And because hemorrhoids can mimic other conditions, Dr. Zaghiyan prioritizes your peace of mind by offering a thorough examination and a full range of treatment options all in one place. 

Ready to get effective, long-lasting relief with the best hemorrhoid treatment in Los Angeles?