Hemorrhoids

and Chicago hemorrhoid treatment

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins in the rectum and anus that cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding. If you feel you might have hemorrhoids, consult with a physician who can provide an examination for the most accurate diagnosis and treatments available. Treatment plans for hemorrhoids help avoid issues like colon and anal cancer. If you are experiencing rectal bleeding, it could be the early warning sign you need to take action and treat your hemorrhoids before they cause more serious issues. Anal cancer is curable if caught early enough.

A local hemorrhoid doctor’s evaluation is necessary to assess the extent of your issues and develop and develop the right treatment plan.

Approximately half of all Americans experience piles by age 50. When present in the anal canal, plies are referred to as “internal hemorrhoids.” When located under the skin around the anus, they are called “external hemorrhoids.” If they progress into a thrombus (blood clot), they can cause severe pain and inflammation.

Visit our Chicago hemorrhoids doctors for the best hemorrhoid treatments, including laser treatments. Emergency appointments are always available at our Chicago vein clinic.

Treatments for hemorrhoids available at Chicago Vein Institute

At Chicago Vein Institute, our doctors are top-rated Chicago vein doctors. They are also best-in-class hemorrhoid specialists with many years of experience. We offer varying hemorrhoidal disease treatments like minimally invasive laser hemorrhoid treatments and other effective treatment options.

In mild cases, topical solutions and non-invasive options like sitz baths and laxatives can alleviate hemorrhoids symptoms.

In other cases, IRC (Infrared Coagulation), hemorrhoid banding, or surgeries can be performed to remove piles and hemorrhoids. Your hemorrhoid doctor’s complete evaluation is essential to accurately diagnose your issues and develop a treatment plan geared towards your needs.

Laser treatment for hemorrhoids

Laser is among the most desirable treatments for because it is non-surgical, minimally invasive, and requires the least downtime out of all. Laser hemorrhoid removal is shown to be effective and acts fast to correct the issue. Our best-in-class Chicago vein doctors have treated many patients successfully.

Laser treatment works using infrared light, a laser, or an electric current. Infrared coagulation is done on an outpatient basis at one of our Chicago vein centers. Mild sedation can be used when needed and treatment usually only takes a few minutes.

Request an Appointment

Are there different types of hemorrhoids?

There are two main types of hemorrhoids; internal and external.

Internal Hemorrhoids

An internal hemorrhoid is located far inside the rectum. You cannot see or feel them directly and they don’t usually cause pain because there aren’t many nerve endings in that area. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids that can help you diagnose them are blood on your feces and prolapsed tissue (sometimes with pain) that present as moist, pink bumps in the surrounding area.

External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are located just under the surface of the skin around the anus, where there are more pain-sensitive nerves and thus more pain and discomfort. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include pain, bleeding, itching, and swelling in the area.

Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

When an external hemorrhoid starts to clot, it can become “thrombosed,” turning a deep blue or purple color. When this happens, severe pain, itching, and bleeding are common and treatment is necessary as soon as possible.

Frequently asked hemorrhoid questions:

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Symptoms you encounter from hemorrhoids depend on which type you have, but patients often experience rectal bleeding when passing feces. Usually, rather than being blended into the stool, it will coat the outside, indicating that something “outside” of the stool came in contact with it as it passed. Blood is normally a bright red color.

Some symptoms include:

Itching
Visible lumps or lumps you can feel around the anus
Pain during bowel movements
Irritation, redness, and pain around the anus
Pain while sitting

When should I see a doctor?

If you are feeling symptoms like discomfort and pain, it’s time to see a hemorrhoid doctor or if you see blood when wiping or left on the toilet after sitting. Symptoms like bleeding can get progressively worse and start to interfere with your life if left untreated. If you experience any large amount of bleeding that can be accompanied by dizziness, seek medical treatment immediately.

What causes hemorrhoids?

There are several factors and behaviors associated with hemorrhoids, though the exact reason is often not known for a patient since they don’t present symptoms right away. It can be hard to pinpoint what “caused” them. Straining during bowel movements is one of the commonly linked causes. Patients with chronic constipation often develop hemorrhoids also. When sitting for long periods of time on the toilet, blood flow to and from the area can be restricted. When this happens, blood can pool, enlarging blood vessels and causing hemorrhoids to develop. This is similar to the way varicose veins in the legs and many other vein issues develop.