Hemorrhoids

Background:

Hemorrhoid disease is a very common problem, affecting millions of people each year. Hemorrhoid disease occurs when the vessels believed to help control your bowel movements become swollen and enlarged. There are two main types: internal hemorrhoids, which develop inside the anal canal, and external hemorrhoids, which form under the skin around the anus. Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids that have not responded to other treatments in patients who are not candidates for surgery or trans-rectal procedures.

Risk Factors

• Straining during bowel movements due to constipation or diarrhea
• Prolonged sitting on the toilet
• Low-fiber diet
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Heavy lifting Age (hemorrhoids become more common with age)

Symptoms

• Pain or discomfort in the anal area
• Bleeding during bowel movements (bright red blood)
• Protrusion of hemorrhoidal tissue
• Anal itching
• Mucus discharge from the anus

Diagnosis

Before recommending HAE, your doctor will perform a thorough examination to diagnose hemorrhoids and determine their severity. This may include:

• Digital rectal exam: The doctor feels inside your rectum to assess the size and location of the hemorrhoids.
• Anoscopy: A short, lubricated tube with a light is inserted into the anus and rectum to directly visualize the hemorrhoids.
• Colonoscopy: This procedure may be necessary to rule out other potential causes of bleeding, especially if there are additional symptoms.

For More Information:

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our IR physicians, please call 310-481-7545.