Bleeding hemorrhoids can be a difficult and uncomfortable condition to deal with, but the good news is that there are several treatments available. For women over 40 who want better health and fitness, understanding how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids properly is key to finding relief.
This guide will provide an overview of what causes hemorrhoids to bleed, their symptoms, treatment options, and when it’s time to see a doctor about this issue.
So if you’re looking for ways how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids effectively, then read on.
Table of Contents
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins located in the lower rectum and anus. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (outside of the anus).
Internal hemorrhoids form when blood vessels inside the rectal wall become enlarged due to increased pressure on them.
External hemorrhoids develop outside of the anal opening and often have a blue or purple tint. Both types of hemorrhoids can cause pain, itching, burning sensations and even bleeding during bowel movements.
Why Do Hemorrhoids Bleed?
Rectal bleeding is usually caused by straining during bowel movement when you’re trying to pass a particularly hard stool. This causes friction between the hard stool and delicate tissue in the area, which can damage small capillaries leading to minor bleeding from hemorrhoidal veins.
In rare cases, thrombosed hemorrhoids may burst due to excessive pressure — causing severe pain and heavy bleeding that requires immediate medical attention.
Other possible causes for rectal bleeding include:
- Constipation.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Infections like anal fissures.
- Inflammation due to Crohn’s disease.
- Tumors.
- Trauma from childbirth.
- Using laxatives too frequently.
- Sitting for long periods without taking breaks throughout your day.
It is important to understand the causes of bleeding thrombosed hemorrhoids so you can avoid them. Now let’s look at the symptoms associated with this condition.
Symptomatic Hemorrhoids: What to Look Out For
Knowing the symptoms of bleeding thrombosed external hemorrhoids is important in getting the right treatment as soon as possible.
Bright Red Blood
One of the most common signs that you may have bleeding thrombosed external hemorrhoids is bright red blood on toilet paper after wiping or even visible blood in the toilet bowl. This could indicate that your hemorrhoid has ruptured.
Itching and Irritation
Another symptom associated with a bleeding thrombosed external hemorrhoid is itching and irritation around the anal area. This may be due to inflammation caused by straining during bowel movements or sitting for long periods of time. The itching sensation can range from mild to severe depending on the severity of the inflammation.
Pain or Discomfort
Pain or discomfort around your anal area can also be a sign of a bleeding thrombosed external hemorrhoid, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as bright red blood, itching, and swelling. The pain may vary from mild to severe depending on how large your swollen veins are and how much they are protruding outwards from your rectum wall.
If you experience any combination of these symptoms, it is best to see your doctor immediately. This will allow them to diagnose what is causing the bleeding and provide appropriate treatment before the situation gets worse.
Let’s look at some of the hemorrhoid treatment options available for women over 40.
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How to Treat Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Fortunately, there are several options to treat hemorrhoids and relieve your symptoms.
Conservative Management
Conservative management is the first line of treatment for grade 1 internal and non-thrombosed external hemorrhoids. It includes warm baths, a high-fiber diet, adequate fluid intake, stool softeners, topical and systemic analgesics, proper anal hygiene, and topical steroid creams.
Relaxation of the sphincter can be achieved by bathing in tubs with warm water. Ice may also help relieve pain from acute thrombosis.
Retraining toilet habits is essential to shrink internal hemorrhoids as well as reduce symptoms associated with them. This means avoiding straining during bowel movements or constipation which are common causes of this condition.
The use of sitz baths has been debated due to their rigid structure which could act like a toilet seat causing venous congestion in the perianal area that worsens the problem. However, it still has its uses such as helping elderly or immobile patients who cannot get into bathtubs easily.
Most patients see improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms after a month of conservative therapy but aggressive measures should be taken if there is no change after this period of time.
Medications
In addition to conservative management, there are medications that your doctor may prescribe for treating hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid treatments include topical creams or ointments that can be applied directly to the affected area for immediate relief from itching or burning sensations.
Another option for hemorrhoid treatments is suppositories that are inserted into the rectum for temporary relief from pain or discomfort.
Oral medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation from symptomatic hemorrhoids while providing relief from the pain associated with rectal bleeding.
It is important to seek medical attention if at-home hemorrhoid treatments do not relieve symptoms of massive bleeding and anal fissures. Next, we will discuss when it is necessary to see a doctor for bleeding hemorrhoids.
When to See Your Doctor
If you are experiencing severe pain or swelling around the anus, persistent bleeding despite home treatment, or signs of infection such as fever, chills, or foul-smelling drainage from your hemorrhoids, it is important to seek medical attention.
Bear in mind that many individuals experience mild symptoms from their hemorrhoids, but if topical creams/ointments/suppositories and oral medications are not working, then it’s time to see your doctor.
Your doctor will likely perform tests such as a digital rectal exam (DRE), sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, proctosigmoidoscopy, barium enema X-ray, and endoanal ultrasound to determine what’s causing your hemorrhoids to bleed.
Depending on the severity of your hemorrhoidal disease, your physician may recommend a couple of invasive options for how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids.
Medical Treatments for Bleeding Hemorrhoids
When hemorrhoids become severe and cause problems, surgical intervention may be necessary.
How to treat bleeding hemorrhoids permanently?
Rubber Band Ligation
This is a minimally invasive procedure where the doctor uses rubber bands to cut off circulation to hemorrhoids. This causes it to shrink and eventually fall off. It’s typically done in an outpatient setting, with no anesthesia needed.
Sclerotherapy
In this treatment, your doctor injects a chemical solution into the affected area that will cause scarring and help reduce bleeding. This can be done in an office setting with local anesthesia or sedation if necessary.
Conventional Hemorrhoidectomy
Conventional hemorrhoidectomy is the most common procedure for removing large internal or external hemorrhoids. This involves surgically removing the swollen veins in the rectum or anus in an open (with a scalpel) or closed (with a ligator) procedure.
Hemorrhoid surgery is usually done under general anesthesia and requires several days of recovery time.
Other surgical procedures for treating hemorrhoids include transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) which uses sutures to block off blood flow to the affected area and stapled hemorrhoidopexy which removes part of the tissue around the affected area. Both of these techniques are minimally invasive and require only local anesthesia.
Following any type of surgical intervention for hemorrhoids, postoperative care should include:
- Diligently keeping the area clean with warm water baths several times daily.
- Taking pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- Refraining from straining during bowel movements.
- Taking stool softeners if needed.
- Wearing loose clothing that won’t chafe sensitive areas near your anus.
- Avoiding strenuous physical activities until you have completely recovered from surgery.
How to Prevent Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Prevention is key in how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids.
1. Exercise
Regular exercise can help prevent and treat hemorrhoids by increasing blood flow to the rectal area, which in turn helps reduce pressure on veins in the anal region. Examples of beneficial exercises include walking, jogging, swimming, biking, or any other activity that gets your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes per day.
Regular physical activity can also help with weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight.
2. High-Fiber Diet
A diet high in fiber can help reduce constipation and straining during bowel movements – two common causes of hemorrhoids – as well as reduce inflammation throughout the digestive tract.
Foods such as fruits (apples, pears), vegetables (broccoli, spinach), nuts (almonds), and grains (oats) are all excellent sources of dietary fiber that should be incorporated into a balanced diet plan to reduce risk factors associated with hemorrhoids.
3. Adequate Hydration
Staying hydrated is essential for overall health but it’s especially important when trying to prevent hemorrhoids since dehydration leads to hard stools that are difficult to pass. Aim for eight glasses of water per day plus additional fluids from tea or juice if desired.
Avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee or soda which may act as diuretics, causing further dehydration.
4. Avoid Prolonged Sitting or Standing
Prolonged sitting and standing can increase pressure on veins in the rectal area so try to break up your monotonous routine with brief walks around every hour. This will give you an opportunity not only to get some movement but also to take breaks from screen time.
Conclusion
It is important to consult your doctor if you experience bleeding hemorrhoids so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. By following your doctor’s instructions, making lifestyle changes, and using over-the-counter treatments as needed, you can successfully treat hemorrhoids and get back to living your life without discomfort or embarrassment.
Are you suffering from the painful symptoms of bleeding hemorrhoids? Don’t let them control your life! BodyHealthGuide.com is here to help with tips and advice on how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids.
Our comprehensive guide offers strategies for managing pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing. Take charge of your health today by exploring our resources – it could be the first step towards feeling better tomorrow!