Hemorrhoids Bleed?
Even though internal, external, and thrombosed hemorrhoids are all slightly different, one of the commonalities between them is possible bleeding as a symptom. Bleeding can occur for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is due to straining during a bowel movement; when swollen, inflamed hemorrhoids are subjected to excessive straining, the surface of the hemorrhoid can become damaged and start to bleed. This can also happen when a person is constipated and has dry, hard stools. Because of pressure from pooling blood, thrombosed hemorrhoids can actually burst and cause significant bleeding as well.
Bleeding Hemorrhoids Treatment
In almost all cases, the potential bleeding associated with hemorrhoids is due to damage of the swollen tissue; in other words, the bleeding can be traced to an action like straining during defecation or aggressive wiping. In that sense, bleeding hemorrhoids are treated in much the same way as any other hemorrhoid. Differences in treatment options have more to do with severity and duration of the inflammation. Below are some common at-home treatment options that can help ease the symptoms until the hemorrhoids go away:
- sitz bath with warm water and epsom salt
- wiping with moist towelettes rather than dry toilet paper
- sitting on ice packs wrapped in a towel can ease discomfort
- stay hydrated and ensure sufficient dietary fiber to help keep stools soft
- stay physically active to help reduce the chances of constipation
- high fiber foods or fiber supplements (Metamucil) to make defecation easier
- over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen
- suppositories or stool softeners
Sometimes, though, the hemorrhoids won’t really go away on their own and require medical care and more extensive treatment. This kind of greater care is usually needed for thrombosed hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids that are causing extreme, constant severe pain or significant bleeding. If you have symptoms like that, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Below are some medical treatment options doctors may employ to treat hemorrhoids:
- Rubber Band Ligation: Hemorrhoid banding ligation is one of the most effective treatments for hemorrhoids. This procedure involves placing a small elastic band around the base of the swollen vein cluster so that its blood supply is cut off. After about a week, the withered hemorrhoid will fall off.
- Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy seeks to achieve a similar effect as rubber band ligation, but it is done with a medicated solution. This solution is injected directly into the hemorrhoidal tissue, causing the vein walls to collapse and the hemorrhoid to shrink. In 7-10 days, the shrunken hemorrhoid will similarly fall off.
- Coagulation Therapy: Typically reserved for internal hemorrhoids, coagulation therapy uses infrared light to lase the hemorrhoid; the heat from the laser causes scar tissue to form that will eventually destroy the hemorrhoid. Only one hemorrhoid can be treated at a time, however, and the procedure can only be performed every 10-14 days.
- Electrocoagulation: Electrocoagulation is similar to coagulation therapy in that the goal is also to cut off blood flow so that the hemorrhoid will fall off. In this case, though, an electric current is sent into the hemorrhoid.
- Hemorrhoidectomy: When other methods are unsuccessful, the doctor may turn to surgical treatment. A hemorrhoidectomy involves surgically removing any hemorrhoid that has prolapsed or is especially large or complicated.
- Hemorrhoidopexy: Also known as hemorrhoid stapling, this procedure involves using surgical staples to return a prolapsed hemorrhoid to its normal position in the wall of the anal canal. Because the hemorrhoid isn’t actually being removed, it can be less painful and have a faster recovery time.
Contact a Gastroenterologist
Hemorrhoids can be nothing more than a mild nuisance, but sometimes they can turn into an incredibly painful malady that requires rapid treatment. Even though hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, the disruption to daily life can become significant enough that medical intervention is the only path.
If you have hemorrhoids that are bleeding or extremely painful, you should contact a gastroenterologist soon. At Cary Gastro, we are passionate about promoting good digestive health and helping improve the quality of life when a gastrointestinal problem arises. If you’d like more information about hemorrhoid banding ligation, or hemorrhoid treatments in general, reference our Hemorrhoid Center for more information, or request an appointment.
