Proctology Institute

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What to Expect from Hemorrhoid Banding

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Hemorrhoid banding is one of the most common ways that those of us who treat hemorrhoids and related disorders professionally combat the problem. The process is simplicity itself: a tiny band is applied at the base of each hemorrhoid, starving it of the bloodflow needed to survive.

But hemorrhoid banding isn’t always simple or easy to get right. As accounts like this one attest, some people experience lasting discomfort following a hemorrhoid banding procedure, and some hemorrhoid doctors fail to offfer adequate aftercare to let their patients address pressing questions quickly:

Had 3 roids banded at noon Thursday which went ok with no pain so drove home fine. Took a hot sitz bath right away to be safe and just had an increasing dull ache feeling until i went to bed 10PM then woke up at 1AM with a fire burning searing pain with sphincter clenching spasms, took another bath and 1000mg Tylenol which did not really help at all. Pure agony for the next 30 hours even after a morning BM and sitz baths.

Sadly this is not unheard of. But it is also not the norm.

At the Proctology Institute, we offer hemorrhoid banding performed in a professional clinic under the aegis of one of the best proctologists in California. Our patients report outstanding outcomes; many have recommended us for precisely this reason

Hemorrhoid banding isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great help when you are out of other options. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get your hemorrhoids banded safely and effectively.

Do I Have Hemorrhoids?

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Hemorrhoids are commonly discussed but rarely diagnosed at home. Most people panic the first time they see any blood in their stool; over time the panic wears off, and hemorrhoids become the de facto diagnosis for any kind of itching or discomfort south of the border.

But accuracy is important here, especially since the symptoms of hemorrhoids can easily mimic those of more serious disorders such as anal dysplasia and anal cancer. Understanding precisely what causes hemorrhoids, and how they can present under different circumstances, is an important part of getting the best care for your particular symptoms.

How do we diagnose hemorrhoids? The process is as simple as understanding which symptoms are most closely associated with hemorrhoids, and ruling out those which do not fit the bill. Once you have a solid checklist in hand, you can begin to apply the process of elimination to ensure that you are getting the best possible treatment for your complaints.

This is especially important during pregnancy, a time when hemorrhoids can appear fairly quickly and without warning in otherwise healthy women who have no history of symptoms in this area. As this piece recently described the telltale signs of this disorder:

Two types of hemorrhoids can occur during pregnancy — internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids can cause painless, light-colored blood around your stool or on your toilet paper after wiping. Occasionally, these internal hemorrhoids can protrude, and you will feel soft swollen masses when wiping. External hemorrhoids can cause painful, hard lumps around your rectum.

Getting this right is one of the fastest and easiest ways to protect your body, and your baby’s body, throughout the course of your pregnancy. If you have any questions about what you’re seeing and whether your symptoms should be cause for concern, please don’t hesitate to contact the Proctology Institute for better care throughout your pregnancy.

Get Rid of Hemorrhoids at Home

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Hemorrhoids strike tens of millions of Americans each year. The vast majority of these cases are subchronic, which means they are likely to resolve on their own with a little bit of time and TLC.

But there are ways that you can speed the process along. Hemorrhoids do not arise in a vacuum; they are caused by a combination of pressure and lifestyle factors, and some of these are well within your control.

Home hemorrhoid remedies tend to be slower acting than a trip to the hemorrhoid doctor, but what they ack in speed they make up for in effectiveness. Avoid straining when you are on the toilet, for instance, and you will see your hemorrhoids begin to shrink within a matter of days.

Other common recommendations include standing when you work, stretching frequently, and adding some cardio to your daily regimen. You may also see good results from maintaining better hydration, and from trying a sitz bath to reduce pressure and inflammation.

And here’s one more:

Spending too much time on the toilet can worsen hemorrhoids. Don’t read or distract yourself while using the bathroom; this only leads to more time spent straining.

This is one I mentioned in my last Facebook Live event: don’t check your smartphone on the toilet. Do your business and get off the pot, or try again later if things are moving sluggishly.

For more good advice and treatment for hemorrhoids anywhere in los Angeles, please reach out to the Proctology Institute today.

Hemorrhoids And Anal Cancer

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Let’s face it: most people have little idea how the anus and rectum are meant to look, much less how they work. This is a region of the body that exists largely out of sight, and consequently few of us ever bother to monitor its health with any vigilance.

But pain can change things; pain is a wake-up call. Many people become concerned, understandably, when they experience pain, itching, bloody stools, or any similar symptoms. Yet not every symptom is a cause for alarm.

Know the Difference: Hemorrhoids and Cancer

Although a lump in this area may be distressing, it is important to take a breath and examine the symptoms more closely. As one recent article described the difference between anal cancer and hemorrhoids:

If you see a lump on your anus, your mind might jump to cancer. Some of the signs might be similar, but there will be other indications of colon or rectal cancers, apart from bleeding. The Bowel Cancer Foundation says those can be a change in pooping habits or consistency, severe stomach pain, a lump in the abdomen, unintended weight loss or weakness.

Absent these painful, larger lumps or a continuing stomach ache, the chances are that you are merely suffering from hemorrhoids. If these have become so severe that they are interfering with your daily comfort, it’s time to visit a Los Angeles hemorrhoid specialist for a medical consult.

The Proctology Institute offers the vanguard in expert care of hemorrhoids, anal cancer, and a number of other medical concerns.

Let’s Talk About the Different Types of Hemorrhoids

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One of the most common questions I hear as a hemorrhoid doctor in Los Angeles concerns the seemingly endless varieties of hemorrhoids: what’s the difference between different kinds of hemorrhoids?

My permanent page on hemorrhoid treatment and care goes into some depth about this question, but I thought it might be valuable to reiterate some of the main points here, as a sort of hemorrhoid primer.

Hemorrhoids come in two major kingdoms – internal and external. But the line between these is porous, and can be crossed under certain circumstances. When hemorrhoids protrude through the anal opening, they are said to be “prolapsed.” Further variants include thrombosed hemorrhoids, strangulated hemorrhoids, and ulcerated hemorrhoids.

Here’s the Merck Manual on some of the technical details:

External hemorrhoids may become thrombosed, resulting in a painful, purplish swelling. Rarely, they ulcerate and cause minor bleeding. . . .Internal hemorrhoids may be uncomfortable but are not as painful as thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids sometimes cause mucus discharge and a sensation of incomplete evacuation.

It’s important to know what you have, because an accurate diagnosis will help determine the proper course of treatment.

The Proctology Institute of Los Angeles Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach offers effective treatment and surgical care for hemorrhoids of every variety. Click here to learn more.