Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists
Gastroenterology located in Aiea, HI & Honolulu, HI
A bloody bowel movement may be scary, but more than likely the blood is from a hemorrhoid, which is a common and treatable condition. If you’re concerned about hemorrhoids, the board-certified gastroenterologists at Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists offer solutions to relieve your symptoms and are experts in hemorrhoid banding, a treatment for hemorrhoids that don’t respond well to more conservative measures. Call one of the offices in Honolulu or Aiea, Hawaii today or schedule an appointment online.
Hemorrhoids & Banding Treatment Q & A
What are Hemorrhoids?Also referred to as piles, hemorrhoids are swollen veins found in the anus or lower rectum. Hemorrhoids may develop from straining during a bowel movement or from the pressure caused by pregnancy.
Types of hemorrhoids include:
- Internal hemorrhoids: swollen veins inside your rectum
- External hemorrhoids: swollen veins under the skin around your anus
- Thrombosed hemorrhoid: formation of a clot
While you may feel embarrassed about the thought of having hemorrhoids, it’s important to know that they’re very common, affecting as many as 75% of adults at some point during their lifetime.
How Do I Know if I Have Hemorrhoids?Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids vary depending on the type and location. Internal hemorrhoids you might not feel, but they can cause bleeding after a bowel movement.
Other symptoms that may indicate you have hemorrhoids include:
- Anal itching or irritation
- Swollen anus
- Pain or discomfort when you sit
A hard, painful lump near your anus may indicate that you have a thrombosed hemorrhoid. If you’re straining during a bowel movement, you may push the internal hemorrhoid out — referred to as protruding hemorrhoid — which can be painful.
How are Hemorrhoids Treated?The gastroenterologists at Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists may recommend conservative treatments to relieve your symptoms that you can do from the comfort of your home.
At-home treatments for hemorrhoids include:
- Eating a high fiber diet and drinking plenty of water
- Using moist towelettes instead of dry toilet paper
- Soaking in a sitz bath
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
- Using ointments, suppositories, or pads
If you have internal hemorrhoids that don’t respond well to conservative treatments or are painful or bleeding, the experts Hawaii Gastroenterology Specialists are skilled at hemorrhoid banding for permanent removal and relief of your symptoms.
What is a Banding Treatment?Banding is an effective minimally invasive treatment for internal hemorrhoids. During treatment, your gastroenterologist inserts a viewing tool into your anus and then uses a special instrument called a ligator to take hold of your hemorrhoid. They use the ligator to tie a medical rubber band around the hemorrhoid to stop the flow of blood, causing it to die and fall off.
Watch this video on the CRH O'Regan System
Before the procedure, your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to your rectum depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids. You may feel some discomfort after treatment, but the pain resolves within a day or two.For expert management of your hemorrhoids, call the office or schedule an appointment using the online booking agent.