Tag Archives: external hemorrhoids

Your Recovery after Hemorrhoids Removal | Minneapolis & St Paul

May 28, 2018 admin

After you have hemorrhoids removed, you can expect to feel pain, bleeding, swelling in the first week. This is most likely when you have a bowel movement. It is important to keep stool soft and do Sitz bath, and you will feel much better in the second week. It is common to have some light bleeding and clear or yellow fluids from your anus in the first 2 weeks. You will notice the swelling of wound edges and hardness of the tissue around anus, and it may last for 1 to 2 months after surgery.

After the first few days, you should be able to do most of your normal activities. But don’t do things that require a lot of effort. It is important to avoid heavy lifting and straining with bowel movements while you recover.

Post-op instructions:
1. You may shower in the evening or next morning. Good hygiene is essential for proper healing.
2. Water is your best friend. It is important to take a sitz bath after each bowel movement or at least three times a day.
3. Wearing soft gauze pads or Maxi pads in your underwear helps to control bleeding, fluid /mucous drainage.
4. Avoid foods which make you constipated. Be sure to include wheat bran, fresh fruits and plenty of vegetables in your diet.
5. Take Metamucil to increase fiber intake.
6. Take stool softener, such as Colace.
7. Drink plenty of water, otherwise, fiber and stool softener won’t work.
8. Avoid straining, especially the first week after surgery.
9. If you develop hard stool or constipation, A laxative, Miralax is recommended.
10. Mild to Moderate exercise is encouraged. You may walk as much as you like.
11. Avoid heavy lifting.
12. You are able to drive right after the surgery, and you may return to work with restriction in 2 days.
13. You may take Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Advil, motrin, etc.) for mild pain. Should these not be effective in relieving the pain, prescription pain medications will be given on an individual basis.
14. Please call the office to report any of the following: excessive bleeding, fever, Signs of wound infection, persistent moderate to severe pain, and constipation.

Posted in Hemorrhoid, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatments, Hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged external hemorrhoids, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, hemorrhoid symptoms, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, internal hemorrhoids

Proctalgia Fugax Means “Fleeting” Rectal Pain | Minneapolis & St Paul

March 11, 2018 admin

8%-18% of people have it. And of those people, only 20-30% seek a professional diagnosis for it. Patients suffer from episodes of severe pain that can make it difficult to function in their daily lives. What is this mysterious ailment?

Proctalgia fugax is the answer. Proctalgia fugax, fugax meaning “fleeting” in Latin, is a condition that causes severe episodic pain in the anorectal area caused by cramps in the levator ani, the main pelvic floor muscle. Attacks typically occur at night and are often mistaken as an urge to defecate. When the levator ani spasms, the result is anorectal pain lasting anywhere from a few seconds to 30 minutes. Men may even get an involuntary erection! This condition typically starts around the age of 45. While it does not cause physical damage to the body, proctalgia fugax can be very painful and debilitating.

Proctalgia fugax cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be managed. Here’s a list of some of the many treatments that can help ease the pain during an attack:
1. Warm baths
2. Warm enemas
3. Cold packs
4. Relaxation techniques
5. Salbutamol inhaler – Usually used for bronchitis, salbutamol inexplicably seems to shorten episodes of pain
6. Botox – Inhibits acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that controls muscle, which reduces contractions
7. Topical calcium channel blockers – Vasodilates blood vessels, reduces muscle contractions
8. Counseling – Stress can be a major trigger of proctalgia fugax. Eliminating stress may reduce the frequency of attacks.
9. Galvanic stimulation – High voltage stimulation has been shown to reduce frequency of attacks
10. Treatments of the underlying diseases, such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Overall, proctalgia fugax can be a real nuisance. The 8%-18% figure above may be even greater in reality because so few people seek treatment. And it’s understandable why people don’t- it’s an uncomfortable and embarrassing thing to talk about. Many will just try to ride it out. Proctalgia fugax can be a struggle. It’s not worth the loss in quality of life. If you feel that proctalgia fugax is making your life worse, it might be time to see your doctor.

Posted in Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid Care, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatments, Hemorrhoids, rectal pain | Tagged Tagged external hemorrhoids, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoidectomy, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, Infrared coagulation, internal hemorrhoids, Rectal Bleeding, rectal itching, Rectal lump, Rectal Pain

Rectal Examination Process in Hemorrhoid Care | Minnesota

March 7, 2018 admin

Anorectal assessments include visual inspection, palpation, digital rectal examination and anoscopic examination. The patient typically lies sideway on his or her left side with the patient’s knees flexed toward the chest (left lateral decubitus position), which is allows comfort for the patient as well as good visualization and access for the examiner.

The doctor usually inspects the entire perianal area first. It is common that patient apprehension is great before any anal examination, and you may slowly take deep breath and try to relax. The doctor gently spread your buttocks to allow easy visualization of anus.

The doctor often the following signs by simple inpection.
1. Redundant tissue
2. Skin tags, anal polyps, and anal cancer
3. External hemorrhoids
4. Anal warts
5. Fissures and fistulas
6. Signs of infection or abscess formation
7. Rectal or internal hemorrhoidal prolapse.

The digital exam is to palpate any suspicious mass lesion in the anorectal canal. Because internal hemorrhoids are soft vascular structures, they are usually not palpable unless thrombosed. The prostate in men is palpated during the rectal exam.

anoscope Anoscopy is a simple medical procedure that can help your doctor identify an abnormality in your anus and distal rectum.

To perform an anoscopy, your doctor will insert a device called an anoscope into your anus. This scope is typically 3-4 inches long, made of plastic or stainless steel . An anoscope allows your doctor to get a detailed look at the tissue within your anorectal areas.

Anoscopy is to confirm the diagnosis of hemorrhoids, severity of hemorrhoids, anal fissure and other anorectal diseases.

Posted in Anorectal Diseases, Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid Care, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatment, Hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged external hemorrhoids, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoidectomy, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, Infrared coagulation, internal hemorrhoids, Rectal Bleeding, rectal itching, Rectal lump, Rectal Pain

Learn about Pruritis Ani | Minneapolis & St Paul

December 10, 2016 admin

What is pruritis ani?
Pruritis ani is a Latin term meaning “itchy anus” and it is an unpleasant, intense, cyclic itching or burning sensation of the skin around the anus (rectal opening) that produces the urge to scratch. Minimal stimulation or irritation of the skin in the anal area may cause itching. The subsequent scratching may cause damage to the skin which leads to more itching and scratching, which is a vicious cycle.

Pruritis ani is classified as either primary or secondary. The primary form is idiopathic, which may not have an identifiable cause, while the secondary form has an identifiable cause. It affects up to 5% of the population in Minnesota.

The symptom of itching is common to many anorectal diseases, such as internal and external hemorrhoids, anal tags, anal fissures and fistulae, anal warts. But the difference is that itching in pruritis ani is more intense and cyclic, having an irresistible urge to scratch, and it happens more often at night or after a bowel movement.

What causes pruritis ani?

The exact mechanism of developing pruritis ani is not clear. There are many risk factors that contribute the disease.

Excessive Cleanliness

Prolonged exposure to moisture

Dietary factors

Skin Irritants

Infectious processes

Anal skin diseases.

How is pruritis ani diagnosed?
The diagnosis of pruritis ani is clinically diagnosed by history, physical examination, and anoscopy. There is no test for it. In the initial office visit, your doctor may inspect the anus visually to look for skin changes or growth in the anus, followed by a digital rectal examination with a gloved, lubricated finger and then anoscopy to look for abnormalities in the lower rectum and anal canal. If indicated, your doctor may also perform a biopsy (a small piece of skin removed for microscopic examination).
Anoscopy is a rectal exam with a very short (3 to 4 inch) rigid metal tube to examine the lower rectum and anal canal. It is very useful when your doctor suspects hemorrhoids, anal fissures and other anorectal diseases.

How is pruritis ani treated?
The goal of therapy is to reduce or eliminate the itching symptom and cure the disease by restoring clean, dry, and intact skin.

Avoid injury to the skin. This is one of the most important, but often most difficult, part treatment of pruritis ani. This means no scratching with hands or dry toilet paper, which is often very difficult to achieve, due to the intense desire to scratch. The patients should cut their nails and wear a pair of mittens at night so they are not able to scratch.

Thicken stool and create a formed bowel movement to minimize leakage. Most people can benefit from taking a fiber supplement. If stools still remain loose, additional medications, such as Imodium and Lomotil, may be helpful.

Make dietary changes. Avoiding overuse of several common foods and beverages may improve symptoms. These foods and include coffee, colas, tea, chocolate, tomatoes and beer.

Improve bowel hygiene or modify cleaning habits. It is important to clean the anus gently. Cleaning with plain water rinses is quite helpful. Anything containing deodorants, alcohol and witch hazel agents should be avoided. You may use diluted white vinegar.

Make sure the skin is dry. You may use a hair dryer on a low setting and place a wisp of rolled cotton between the buttocks and against the anus to absorb moisture.

Try skin barriers or short course of steroid cream in the initial stage of treatment.

Treat the underlying diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal tags, anal fissures, and anal warts.

Posted in Anal itching, Anorectal Care, Anorectal Diseases, Pruritis Ani | Tagged Tagged Anal itching, anal itching Minneapolis, external hemorrhoids, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid prevention, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoidectomy, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, internal hemorrhoids, Pruritis Ani, Pruritis Ani Minnesota

How to Prevent the Hemorrhoids | Minneapolis & St Paul

December 8, 2016 admin

Hemorrhoids are a varicose vein disease. More than 10 million people in the United States suffer from hemorrhoids. Three out of four people will develop hemorrhoids at some time in their lives. Although they can be extremely unpleasant and painful sometimes, they can be easily treated with non-surgical therapy and they are preventable. Moreover, if patients don’t take preventive measures, it is possible to relapse after hemorrhoid care, especially in advanced hemorrhoids.

There are many ways to prevent hemorrhoids for patients in Minnesota.

1. One of the best things you can do to prevent hemorrhoids is to make important dietary changes to keep your stools soft and prevent constipation. Why is fiber so very important? People in Minnesota who do not get enough fiber in their diet tend to have constipation with hard stool and strain when going to the bathroom. In turn, this pressure constitutes one of the greatest risk factors to those who are vulnerable to developing hemorrhoids. Constipation with hard stool and straining often causes the rupture of hemorrhoidal veins and anal skin tearing.
Eating a diet that is high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains is recommended. Taking a fiber supplement every day, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, can help keep bowel movements regular. Drinking enough fluids is equally as important so that these bulking agents work better (6-8 glasses of water daily).

Frequent diarrhea does not help, either. Straining related to diarrhea also can rapidly increase the pressure in the abdomen and hemorrhoid venous complex, too.

2. Daily exercise is also great to help the bowel move through your digestive system and prevent you from becoming constipated. Moderate activity of at least 30 minutes 3-4 times per week is recommended.

3. Obese patients are 2-4 times more likely to develop hemorrhoids than the average patient, so weight loss may help to reduce the recurrence.

4. Individuals who are prone to developing hemorrhoids should also avoid standing for extended periods of time and constant heavy lifting.

5. You should have a good toilet habit. The toilet time should not be too long; you should avoid the bad habit of reading newspapers or surfing on the Internet on the toilet. Scheduling time each day for a bowel movement and keeping it a daily routine may help. Take your time and do not strain when having a bowel movement, because it is the straining that causes hemorrhoids. Straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum. Lastly, once you feel the urge, it is important to go because if you wait to pass a bowel movement, the urge goes away and your stool could become dry and harder to pass.

6. You may program your bowel movement in the way that you always try to have bowel movements right before your regular shower. For example, if you are a morning person, you go to the toilet first before you take a shower, so the anus is always clean without residual feces. Residual feces are irritable to the skin around anus. If you starting having recurrent symptoms, then a daily Sitz bath helps a lot to relieve the symptoms.