Hemorrhoids: Brief Version

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins near the anus or inside the rectum. The anus is the opening where bowel movement passes out of the body. The rectum is the end of the bowel just inside the anus.

Hemorrhoids can happen in 2 places:

• outside the anus
• inside the rectum (about 1 inch up)

Most of the time, hemorrhoids are not a big problem. They usually go away in a few days without treatment. Sometimes you may need a couple weeks of treatment for them to get better.

What is the cause?

If there is too much pressure on the veins around the rectum and anus, you may get hemorrhoids. This can happen when you:

• Strain during bowel movements because you are constipated.
• Hold back or wait a long time before you have a bowel movement.
• Have diarrhea for a few days.
• Sit for a long time on the toilet.

You are more likely to get hemorrhoids when you:

• Are pregnant or give birth.
• Are overweight.
• Cough or sneeze a lot.
• Sit for a long time.

What are the symptoms?

You may:

• Itch or bleed from the anus.
• Feel a mild burning.
• Have swelling, pain, or bleeding during bowel movements.
• Feel painful lumps around the anus (the lumps may be as small as a pea or as big as a walnut).

How are they treated?

Here are things you can do that usually stop the hemorrhoids from bothering you:

• Eat foods high in fiber, like whole-grain cereals, fruit, and vegetables.
• Drink lots of water.
• Sit in lukewarm water 2 or 3 times a day for 15 minutes to help keep the area clean.
• Put cold packs on the anus to relieve pain.
• Try creams or ointments. Ask your healthcare provider what would be best for you.

You may need other kinds of treatment. There are other ways to take away or shrink hemorrhoids. For example, your healthcare provider could:

• Put tight bands around the hemorrhoids so that they dry up and fall off.
• Freeze the hemorrhoids.
• Destroy the hemorrhoids with electrical or laser heat or infrared light.
• Give a shot around the swollen vein to shrink it.

If you have really bad hemorrhoids, you may need surgery to cut out the hemorrhoids.

How can I take care of myself?

Always tell your healthcare provider if you have bleeding from the anus. Sometimes a serious illness may cause the bleeding. It's best to make sure it’s not something more serious.

If you have hemorrhoids:

• Ask your healthcare provider what you should use to help with pain and itching.
• Wipe gently after a bowel movement. Wipe with soft, moist toilet paper, or with moist towelettes or baby wipes. If you need to, shower instead of wiping. Dry the anus gently.
• Don't lift heavy objects. This may put more pressure on the veins and make the hemorrhoids worse.

Here's what you can do to prevent hemorrhoids:

• Don’t strain during bowel movements.
• Eat high-fiber food and drink plenty of water.
• Take a stool softener if your healthcare provider recommends it.
• Don't use too many laxatives. Irritation from diarrhea can cause hemorrhoids.
• Get enough exercise, which can help prevent constipation.