Hemorrhoids is a common medical ailment, especially for people who are getting along in years. It can easily be treated by increasing your fiber and water intake. A hard stool can irritate the surrounding blood vessels as it makes its way down the anal canal. Upping your fiber and fluids will cause the stool to soften, so you won’t have to strain as hard when taking a poop.
You can also take sitz baths, which, as the name implies, will require you to sit long times in the bath to soak the tender area in warm water. This relaxes the anal muscles and helps ease the discomfort.
Hemmorhoids—Or Something Else Entirely?
There are times when a trip to a doctor, or more specifically, a proctologist, will be required. A study[1] shows that only a third of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids seek medical attention, while the rest suffer in silence and embarrassment.
This should not be the case.
If you experience rectal pain or rectal bleeding for an extended period of time, I would suggest that you seek immediate medical care. A hard lump in the anus, or stools that are black or tarry in color are also indications that you need to get yourself checked by a Los Angeles proctologist.
These things can be symptoms of a far more serious medical condition, such as cancer. It is therefore important to eliminate these possibilities and rule them out first before beginning treatment for hemorrhoid.
And even if you do not experience these severe symptoms, a visit to the Proctology Institute is still highly recommended, especially if the discomfort persists despite using over-the-counter topical creams. Seeking medical attention will also help reduce the chances of another hemorrhoid flare-up in the future, and will ensure that the condition is treated properly.
[1] http://www.mdedge.com/jfponline/article/60141/office-evaluation-and-treatment-hemorrhoids
