Introduction

Hemorrhoids are common but not everyone gets them.  If you are tired of suffering from hemorrhoids, keep browsing our website to learn more and decide what treatment options are best for you.  Because hemorrhoid ointments and creams don’t work for everyone, we offer painless, simple and effective hemorrhoid removal at “The Hemorrhoid Treatment Center at GI Consultants of Manhattan”.

The most common treatment choice is Hemorrhoid Banding.  Learn more about Hemorrhoid Banding.

If you suffer from hemorrhoids and are interested in learning more about  painless hemorrhoid removal, give us a call or keep reading to learn more.

• What are hemorrhoids?

  Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine leading to the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where bowel contents leave the body.

  External hemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop in the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids may protrude, or prolapse, through the anus. Most prolapsed hemorrhoids shrink back inside the rectum on their own. Severely prolapsed hemorrhoids may protrude permanently and require treatment.

• What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

  The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood on stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids that are not prolapsed are usually not painful. Prolapsed hemorrhoids often cause pain, discomfort, and anal itching.

  Blood clots may form in external hemorrhoids. A blood clot in a vein is called a thrombosis. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids cause bleeding, painful swelling, or a hard lump around the anus. When the blood clot dissolves, extra skin is left behind. This skin can become irritated or itch.

  Excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may make symptoms, such as itching and irritation, worse.

  Hemorrhoids are not dangerous or life threatening. Symptoms usually go away within a few days, and some people with hemorrhoids never have symptoms.

• How common are hemorrhoids?

  About 75 percent of people will have hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. Hemorrhoids are most common among adults ages 45 to 65.Hemorrhoids are also common in pregnant women.

• What causes hemorrhoids?

  Swelling in the anal or rectal veins causes hemorrhoids. Several factors may cause this swelling, including:

  • chronic constipation or diarrhea
  •  straining during bowel movements
  •  sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
  •  a lack of fiber in the diet

  Another cause of hemorrhoids is the weakening of the connective tissue in the rectum and anus that occurs with age.

  Pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids by increasing pressure in the abdomen, which may enlarge the veins in the lower rectum and anus. For most women, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy disappear after childbirth.

• How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?

  The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to determine whether a person has hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other anorectal problems, such as fissures, abscesses, warts, and polyps.

  The doctor will perform a physical exam to look for visible hemorrhoids. A digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger and an anoscope—a hollow, lighted tube—may be performed to view the rectum.

  A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by a doctor is important any time a person notices bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool. Bleeding may be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.

  Additional exams may be done to rule out other causes of bleeding, especially in people age 40 or older:

  • Colonoscopy. A flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope is inserted through the anus, the rectum, and the upper part of the large intestine, called the colon. The colonoscope transmits images of the inside of the rectum and the entire colon.
  •  Sigmoidoscopy. This procedure is similar to colonoscopy, but it uses a shorter tube called a sigmoidoscope and transmits images of the rectum and the sigmoid colon, the lower portion of the colon that empties into the rectum.
  •  Barium enema x ray. A contrast material called barium is inserted into the colon to make the colon more visible in x-ray pictures.

• How are hemorrhoids treated?

  At-home Treatments

  Simple diet and lifestyle changes often reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids and relieve hemorrhoid symptoms temporarily but in most cases the hemorrhoids will return. Eating a high-fiber diet can make stools softer and easier to pass, reducing the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining.

  Fiber is a substance found in plants. The human body cannot digest fiber, but fiber helps improve digestion and prevent constipation. Good sources of dietary fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. On average, Americans eat about 15 grams of fiber each day. The American Dietetic Association recommends 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams of fiber per day for men.

  Doctors may also suggest taking a bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).

  Other changes that may help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms include:

  • drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water or other nonalcoholic fluids each day
  • sitting in a tub of warm water for 10 minutes several times a day
  • exercising to prevent constipation
  • not straining during bowel movements

  Over-the-counter creams and suppositories may temporarily relieve the pain and itching of hemorrhoids. These treatments should only be used for a short time because long-term use can damage the skin.

• How are hemorrhoids treated?

  If at-home treatments do not relieve symptoms, medical treatments may be needed. Outpatient treatments are usually performed in a doctor’s office or in an outpatient hospital setting. Outpatient treatments for internal hemorrhoids include the following:

  • Rubber band ligation. Your health care provider places a special rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. This is commonly performed in the doctor’s office and does not require any sort of bowel prep or sedation.  The procedure takes less than a minute and is virtually painless.  In most cases, a series of three bands spaced two weeks apart is necessary.  In addition, it is usually covered by your insurance.  The band cuts off circulation, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink and go away.  Learn more about HEMORRHOID BANDING  clicking here.
  • Infrared coagulation. Your health care provider uses heat to shrink the hemorrhoid tissue. This is commonly performed in the doctor’s office and does not require any sort of bowel prep or sedation.  In addition, it is usually covered by your insurance.  To learn more about this treatment, click here- Infrared Coagulation (IRC)/Laser Hemorrhoid Treatment.
  •  Sclerotherapy. The doctor injects a chemical solution into the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.

   

  Large external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids that do not respond to other treatments can be surgically removed.

  Almost everyone gets them. They may be embarrassing, painful and annoying, but they’re rarely deadly. Hemorrhoids are veins in your anal canal and lower rectum that have become inflamed or swollen. The same condition in your legs causes varicose veins.

  Almost everyone gets them. They may be embarrassing, painful and annoying, but they’re rarely deadly. Hemorrhoids are veins in your anal canal and lower rectum that have become inflamed or swollen. The same condition in your legs causes varicose veins. – See more at: http://www.manhattangastroenterology.com/hemorrhoids/hemorrhoids/#sthash.hwn1lN4p.dpuf

Cancer Screenings

Are you 50 years old or older?

Do you have a personal history of colon polyps or colon cancer?

Are you 40 years old or older and have a family history of colon polyps or cancer?

Are you 45 years old or older and of African American descent?

As a gastroenterologist, we specialize in the prevention and early detection of colon cancer and esophageal cancer.

Few cancers are as easily preventable as colon cancer. Removing precancerous growths, called polyps, from the colon prevents the development of colon cancer. Even if colon cancer has already developed, finding it and treating it before symptoms are present result in a greater than 90% treatment success. If everyone aged 50 years or older had regular screening tests, at least 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. So if you are 50 or older, start getting screened now.

Colonoscopy

• What is colonoscopy?

  Colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a colonoscope or scope, to look inside the rectum and entire colon. Colonoscopy can show irritated and swollen tissue, ulcers, and polyps—extra pieces of tissue that grow on the lining of the intestine. A gastroenterologist—a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases—performs this procedure.

• What are the rectum and colon?

  The rectum and colon are part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus—a 1-inch-long opening through which stool leaves the body. The body digests food using the movement of muscles in the GI tract, along with the release of hormones and enzymes. Organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine—which includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum—and anus. The intestines are sometimes called the bowel. The last part of the GI tract—called the lower GI tract—consists of the large intestine and anus.
  The GI tract

  The large intestine is about 5 feet long in adults and absorbs water and any remaining nutrients from partially digested food passed from the small intestine. The large intestine then changes waste from liquid to a solid matter called stool. Stool passes from the colon to the rectum. The rectum is 6 to 8 inches long in adults and is located between the last part of the colon—called the sigmoid colon—and the anus. The rectum stores stool prior to a bowel movement. During a bowel movement, stool moves from the rectum to the anus.

• Why is a colonoscopy performed?

  A colonoscopy is indicated for many reasons including:

  • colon cancer screening
  • changes in bowel habits
  • abdominal pain
  • bleeding from the anus
  • weight loss

  A gastroenterologist also performs a colonoscopy as a screening test for colon cancer. Screening is testing for diseases when people have no symptoms. Screening may find diseases at an early stage, when a health care provider has a better chance of curing the disease.

• Get Screened for Colon Cancer

  The American College of Gastroenterology recommends screening for colon cancer

  • at age 50 for people who are not at increased risk of the disease
  • at age 45 for African Americans because they have an increased risk of developing the disease
  • at age 40 for people with a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer or 10 years before the index case (For example:  If your brother was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 45 then you should have your first colonoscopy at age 35)

  A gastroenterologist may recommend earlier screening for people with a family history of colon cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease—a long-lasting disorder that causes irritation and sores in the GI tract—or other risk factors for colon cancer.

  Medicare and private insurance companies sometimes change whether and how often they pay for cancer screening tests. People should check with their insurance company to find out how often they can get a screening colonoscopy that their insurance will cover.

  Read more about colon cancer at www.cancer.gov.

• How does a person prepare for a colonoscopy?

  Preparation for a colonoscopy includes the following steps:

  • Talk with a gastroenterologist. When people schedule a colonoscopy, they should talk with their gastroenterologist about medical conditions they have and all prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements they take, including
    • aspirin or medications that contain aspirin
    • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen
    • arthritis medications
    • blood thinners
    • diabetes medications
    • vitamins that contain iron or iron supplements
  • Arrange for a ride home after the procedure. Driving is not allowed for 24 hours after the procedure to allow time for the anesthesia to wear off.
  • Cleanse the bowel. The gastroenterologist will give written bowel prep instructions to follow at home. A gastroenterologist orders a bowel prep so that little to no stool is present inside the person’s intestine. A complete bowel prep lets the person pass stool that is clear. Stool inside the colon can prevent the gastroenterologist from clearly seeing the lining of the intestine. Instructions may include following a clear liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before the procedure and avoiding drinks that contain red or purple dye. The instructions will provide specific direction about when to start and stop the clear liquid diet. People may drink or eat the following:
    • fat-free bouillon or broth
    • strained fruit juice, such as apple or white grape—orange juice is not recommended
    • water
    • plain coffee or tea, without cream or milk
    • sports drinks in flavors such as lemon, lime, or orange
    • gelatin in flavors such as lemon, lime, or orange

    The person needs to take laxatives and enemas the night before a colonoscopy. A laxative is medication that loosens stool and increases bowel movements. An enema involves flushing water or laxative into the rectum using a special wash bottle. Laxatives and enemas can cause diarrhea, so the person should stay close to a bathroom during the bowel prep.

    Laxatives are usually swallowed in pill form or as a powder dissolved in water. Some people will need to drink a large amount, usually a gallon, of liquid laxative at scheduled times. People may find this part of the bowel prep difficult; however, it is very important to complete the prep. The gastroenterologist will not be able to see the colon clearly if the prep is incomplete.

    People should call the gastroenterologist if they are having side effects that are preventing them from finishing the prep.

• How is a colonoscopy performed?

  A gastroenterologist performs a colonoscopy at a hospital or an outpatient center. In most cases, light anesthesia and pain medication help people relax for the test. The medical staff will monitor people’s vital signs and try to make people as comfortable as possible. A nurse or technician places an intravenous (IV) needle in a vein in the arm to give anesthesia.

  For the test, the person will lie on a table while the gastroenterologist inserts a colonoscope into the anus and slowly guides it through the rectum and into the colon. The scope inflates the large intestine with air to give the gastroenterologist a better view. The camera sends a video image of the intestinal lining to a computer screen, allowing the gastroenterologist to carefully examine the intestinal tissues. The gastroenterologist may move the person several times so the scope can be adjusted for better viewing. Once the scope has reached the opening to the small intestine, the gastroenterologist slowly withdraws it and examines the lining of the large intestine again.
  For the test, the person will lie on a table while the gastroenterologist inserts a colonoscope into the anus and slowly guides it through the rectum and into the colon.

  The gastroenterologist can remove polyps during colonoscopy and send them to a lab for testing. Polyps are common in adults and are usually harmless. However, most colon cancer begins as a polyp, so removing polyps early is an effective way to prevent cancer.

  The gastroenterologist may also perform a biopsy, a procedure that involves taking a small piece of intestinal lining for examination with a microscope. The person will not feel the biopsy. A pathologist—a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases—will examine the tissue.

  The gastroenterologist may pass tiny tools through the scope to remove polyps and take a sample for biopsy. If bleeding occurs, the gastroenterologist can usually stop it with an electrical probe or special medications passed through the scope. Colonoscopy usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

• What can a person expect after a colonoscopy?

  After the colonoscopy, a person can expect the following:

  • People may need to stay at the hospital or outpatient center for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure.
  • Cramping or bloating may occur during the first hour after the test.
  • The anesthesia takes time to completely wear off.
  • Full recovery is expected by the next day, and people should be able to go back to their normal diet.
  • A member of the health care team will review the discharge instructions with the person—or with an accompanying friend or family member if the person is still groggy—and provide a written copy. The person should follow all instructions given.
  • A friend or family member will need to drive the person home after the procedure.
  • If the gastroenterologist removed polyps or performed a biopsy, light bleeding from the anus is normal.

  Some results from a colonoscopy are available immediately after the procedure. After the anesthesia has worn off, the gastroenterologist will share results with the person or a designee. Biopsy results take a few days to come back.

• What are the risks of colonoscopy?

  The risks of colonoscopy include

  • bleeding.
  • perforation—a hole or tear in the lining of the colon.
  • diverticulitis—a condition that occurs when small pouches in the colon, called diverticula, become irritated, swollen, and infected. Read more in Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis at www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov.
  • cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, low blood pressure, or the heart skipping beats or beating too fast or too slow.
  • severe abdominal pain.
  • death, although this risk is rare.

  Bleeding and perforation are the most common complications from colonoscopy. Most cases of bleeding occur in people who have polyps removed. The gastroenterologist can treat bleeding that occurs during the colonoscopy right away. However, a person may have delayed bleeding up to 2 weeks after the test if a polyp or growth is removed. The gastroenterologist diagnoses delayed bleeding with a repeat colonoscopy and treats it with placement of metal clips or staples, electrical probe or special medication. Perforation may need to be treated with surgery.

  A study of screening colonoscopies found 2.1 serious complications per 1,000 procedures performed.

• Seek Help for Emergency Symptoms

  People who have any of the following symptoms after a colonoscopy should seek immediate medical attention:

  • severe abdominal pain
  • fever
  • continued bloody bowel movements or continued bleeding from the anus
  • dizziness
  • weakness

• Points to Remember

  • Colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a colonoscope or scope, to look inside the rectum and entire colon.
  • Colonoscopy can show irritated and swollen tissue, ulcers, and polyps—extra pieces of tissue that grow on the lining of the intestine.
  • A colonoscopy is performed to help diagnose
    • changes in bowel habits
    • abdominal pain
    • bleeding from the anus
    • weight loss
  • A gastroenterologist also performs a colonoscopy as a screening test for colon cancer.
  • Preparation for a colonoscopy includes talking with a gastroenterologist about medical conditions the person has and medications the person is taking, arranging for a ride home after the procedure, and cleansing the bowel.
  • The gastroenterologist will give written bowel prep instructions to follow at home. A gastroenterologist orders a bowel prep so that little to no stool is present inside the person’s intestine.
  • The gastroenterologist will not be able to see the colon clearly if the prep is incomplete.
  • A gastroenterologist performs a colonoscopy at a hospital or an outpatient center. For the test, the person will lie on a table while the gastroenterologist inserts a colonoscope into the anus and slowly guides it through the rectum and into the colon.
  • The gastroenterologist can remove polyps during colonoscopy and send them to a lab for testing. The gastroenterologist may also perform a biopsy, a procedure that involves taking a small piece of intestinal lining for examination with a microscope.
  • Bleeding and perforation are the most common complications from colonoscopy.