If you have recurring hemorrhoids, chances are you have constipation as well. And if you’re having difficulties whenever you poop, then you are probably ready to try just about anything—fiber, stool softeners, cleanses, squatty potty—to experience some form of relief.

Well, you probably haven’t tried doing a perineal massage yet. The perineum is the length of skin between your genitals and your butt. This body part contains a pressure point that can ease constipation symptoms when it is massaged.

A Study Says a Massage Can Help

This isn’t some old wives’ tale. In fact, a lot of pregnant women are being advised to massage this part in order to relax the area and prevent laceration during labor.

A study from the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine that was published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine also confirmed the effectivity of this massage.

A group of about 100 people suffering from constipation took part in this study. At the end of the four-week trial, 72% confirmed that the perineal pressure technique helped soften their tools, and that they experienced an improvement in their bowel movement. 82% of the participants said they would continue practicing the technique, while 72% said they would recommend it to family and friends.

Constipation is no laughing matter. This is a serious medical condition that needs to be addressed right away. So if you’ve had enough of bran cereal, and you’ve already had your fill of fluids and exercise, it won’t hurt to give yourself a massage down there. And unlike laxatives, this one won’t give you any side effects.

If any of these things still won’t work and your hemorrhoids are still giving you a hard time, it’s time to visit a Los Angeles proctologist to discuss a more aggressive treatment. The Proctology Institute offers minimally invasive surgeries to remove hemorrhoids permanently.

To know more about the effects of perineal massage on constipation, you can check out this video here.

Having an itchy bottom can be inconvenient, not to mention embarrassing. Not only is it difficult to fully assess the damage and determine the reason behind the itchiness, but treatment can also be confusing.

In order to come up with the right treatment, you need to determine what is causing your bottom to itch.

A Skin Infection Can Be the Reason Behind Your Itchy Behind

The medical term for an itchy bottom is called “pruritus ani,” and is a fairly common condition. In most cases, a person with an anal itch does not have a disease of the anus or rectum, but they do have a skin condition. The itchiness can come from a candida, eczema, or psoriasis infection.

Skin irritants such as perfumes and chemicals used on toilet paper and wipes can be the culprit, while food such as chocolate, nuts, beer, and dairy have been known to irritate the anus when they are expelled from the body during a bowel movement.

Other possible causes of the itchiness are hemorrhoids, skin tags, and anal fissures, which can all be fixed by a Los Angeles colorectal surgeon, also known as a proctologist.

Hemorrhoids is caused by the buildup of pressure near the anus, causing the blood vessels to become inflamed and the anus to be itchy. Skin tags are fleshy pieces of skin around the anus, and are commonly confused with hemorrhoids. Fissures are tears on the colon lining that are painful and itchy as well.

Getting Rid of the Itch

When washing the anus, it is best to stick to water and a non-scented, mild soap. Wear loose, cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight-fitting pants. As much as possible, do not scratch the itch because it will only make you want to scratch all the more.

If the itch remains persistent, it is best to consult with a Los Angeles colorectal surgeon. The anal doctor will be able to treat not just the symptom, but get down to the root cause of your anal problem.

Once you see blood on your stool, your first impulse is that of panic and the first thing that comes to mind is that of cancer.

At this point, it is very important not to panic. Seeing blood in the toilet, while frightening, is fairly common. You will be relieved to know that it can be caused by a number of reasons that are not life-threatening.

Just the same, the only way you can be 100% sure is to consult with a Los Angeles anal doctor. So don’t push the panic button just yet. Here are five other possible reasons behind the blood in your stool that is NOT related to cancer.

Hemorrhoids

Constipation, straining, prolonged sitting, and even the small act of lifting a heavy object can put a lot of pressure on the blood vessels of your anus and rectum. As a result, hemorrhoids can form, resulting to a painful and itchy anus, which can also be accompanied by blood during a bowel movement.

Anal fissure

An anal fissure is the medical term used to describe tears in the lining of the anus. They cause pain, bleeding, and a burning sensation during a bowel movement.

Diverticula

Diverticula happens when pouches begin to form in the wall of the colon. These pouches may occasionally bleed whenever the blood vessels in them break open.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease, which happens whenever there is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

Polyps  

Polyps are small non-cancerous growths that form on the colon lining or rectum. They are usually benign in nature, and do not cause any symptoms. But when they do, they usually cause blood on your stool to form.

What to Do If You See Blood on Your Stool

Most bleeding in the stool are caused by the conditions I have mentioned above, and they usually go away on their own over time. It would still be best to have them checked by a Los Angeles anal doctor, especially if they are accompanied by other symptoms.

As a Los Angeles proctologist practicing for many years now, I’ve had a lot of encounters with patients who automatically assume they have the hemorrhoids once they have an itchy bottom and feel something down there.

The danger with self-diagnosis is that most people are prone to overthinking; they think there is something wrong with them, when in fact there’s nothing to worry about. These people will then automatically reach out for medicated wipes or topical creams to clean up after themselves, not knowing they are doing more harm than good with their self-diagnosis.

No to Over-Cleaning

Did you know that over-cleaning with wipes and creams can lead to even more itchiness? Excessive cleaning leads to trauma and micro tears. The more you clean, the more your skin becomes dry. The skin then works harder to produce more oil.

In order to reduce skin irritation, avoid soap as much as possible because it can be an irritant. Use plain water instead.

And even if you feel something else is down there, don’t panic. It could just be an ordinary, harmless skin flap.

Why Seek a Proctologist If You Suspect Hemorrhoids

Yes, it is convenient to go online, research your symptoms, and buy suggested over-the-counter remedies. Admittedly, there’s plenty of medical information available online, but it can never replace a doctor’s knowledge. While it is true that we know ourselves the best, sometimes we still need a mirror to see things more clearly. The doctor is that mirror.

So, don’t jump to conclusions the moment you feel something in your anus. If you suspect you have the hemorrhoids, get yourself checked by a Los Angeles proctologist in order to get the accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.

If the diagnosis shows a severe case of hemorrhoids, I can suggest a minimally invasive surgery, such as rubber band litigation or sclerotherapy, both of which we provide here at the Proctology Institute.

It is easy to take bowel movement for granted. It is only when something goes wrong down there that we sit up and take notice.

This should not be the case as bowel health is extremely important to your overall well-being, especially these days when diseases related to bowel movement are becoming more frequent, such as hemorrhoids, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. According to the WHO, colorectal cancer has become the third leading cause of cancer death.

The Function of a Bowel Movement

Your body contains a lot of toxins that need to be removed regularly. Your bowel system helps you achieve this by absorbing the nutrients that come from digested food and eliminating the waste products out of your body through stools.

A bowel movement should therefore be a quick, instinctive, and effortless act. It shouldn’t require effort nor should there be any straining involved. If you have regular bowel movement without any strain, pain, and blood, and you have soft and solid stools, then you have a pretty healthy bowel system.

On the other hand, if you have less than three bowel movements in a week, you may be suffering from constipation. If this is the case, you need to make changes because frequent constipation and straining can lead to hemorrhoids.

How to Keep the Bowel Healthy

An unhealthy lifestyle is usually the culprit behind difficult bowel movements, and not an underlying health condition. Thankfully, they can be easily remedied by implementing changes into your lifestyle.

You need to establish regular toilet schedules, and stick to them. Drink plenty of water and get regular exercise. Eat a balanced diet with lots of fiber in it. These will keep things moving down there and before you know it, your bowel movement is back to regular programming.

However, if your bowel movement remains difficult despite implementing these changes, then it is possible you have a colorectal disorder. During this time, it is best to seek professional help by consulting with a Los Angeles proctologist. Call us now for an appointment!