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Learn About Hemorrhoids And How Surgery May Help

8 September 2022 by Sasha Meyer

Hemorrhoids happen when the blood vessels in and around the anus get swollen. This is caused by extra pressure being put on the blood vessels. There are internal and external hemorrhoids, and they can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or age. However, they are more common in older people because the rectum tissue tends to stretch and weaken as you age. You can learn more about hemorrhoids, as well as when and why surgery may be a viable treatment option, in this article. 

Some symptoms of hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids are those which occur inside your rectum. Usually, you can't feel them. However, they can still be hard to deal with because they can cause you to bleed during a bowel movement. This bleeding can range from slight spotting to bleeding that continues after you're done. These hemorrhoids can also end up eventually pushing through your anus, which is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. When this happens, it can cause you to experience a great deal of pain. 

External hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids are those that are located on the exterior, under the skin around your anus. These hemorrhoids tend to be the most bothersome because they are the ones that can cause you the most discomfort. Some of the symptoms of external ones include severe itching, pain, and swelling. Also, there can be a significant amount of bleeding during a bowel movement and with wiping. 

Some common risk factors for hemorrhoids

While anyone can end up with hemorrhoids, there are some people who will be at more risk of developing them. Some things that can increase your chances of developing hemorrhoids include pregnancy, obesity, chronic constipation, frequent diarrhea, genetics, and aging.

Surgery as a treatment option for hemorrhoids

Minor hemorrhoid issues can often be treated with things like a sitz bath, over-the-counter creams, and pads. If your hemorrhoids are causing you a great deal of pain, causing a good amount of bleeding, and/or aren't getting better with other treatments, then surgery may be the best course of action. 

A hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to remove hemorrhoids. This can include both internal and external ones. There are different methods that can be used when removing them. 

One method that can be done involves the process of making small incisions around the hemorrhoids and then physically removing them. 

Another method involves using a medical-grade stapler to staple the hemorrhoids in a way that prevents them from having access to blood flow. Sometimes, rubber bands can be used to achieve this same thing. Once the blood flow has been prevented from going to the hemorrhoids, then they will shrink and eventually go away completely.

For more information on a hemorrhoidectomy surgical procedure, contact a professional near you.

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