Pain and tenderness are just a few of the signs of hemorrhoids, a common, treatable condition. If you’ve had hemorrhoids for more than a week and they’re not getting better, George M. Halow, MD, PA, can help. He diagnoses and treats internal and external hemorrhoids with effective procedures, such as rubber band ligation. Find out more by calling the bilingual practice in El Paso, Texas, today or by booking a consultation online.
Hemorrhoids are swollen and twisted veins that form inside and outside your body by your anus. Increased pressure from pregnancy or straining during bowel movements are among the causes of hemorrhoids.
Most hemorrhoids go away on their own, but treatments like rubber band ligation can help with persistent hemorrhoids.
Your symptoms depend on whether your hemorrhoids are internal or external. With internal hemorrhoids, you may notice:
If your hemorrhoids are external, you may experience:
Rubbing, cleaning around your anus, or straining during bowel movements may make your symptoms worse.
Hemorrhoids may form for a variety of reasons, including:
As you age, the supportive tissues in your rectum and anus become weak, leading to hemorrhoids.
Dr. Halow diagnoses hemorrhoids after taking a medical history and examining you. He looks for:
Dr. Halow next recommends treatment based on your diagnosis.
Dr. Halow may initially recommend at-home treatment, including over-the-counter creams or ointments. He also may recommend nutrition counseling to make sure your diet includes enough fiber. If your hemorrhoids aren’t getting better, you may benefit from a procedure called rubber band ligation.
During rubber band ligation, Dr. Halow places special rubber bands around the base of your hemorrhoid to cut off the blood flow. In about a week, the banded part of the hemorrhoid withers and falls off. As scar tissue grows on what’s left of the hemorrhoid, it often shrivels further.
If hemorrhoids are troubling you, Dr. Halow offers expert diagnosis and treatment to relieve your pain and discomfort. Call today or book a consultation online.