Hemorrhoids are cushions of veins and other tissue around the anus and lower part of the rectum. These pills swell temporarily during a bowel movement, but when the swelling is persistent, it’s considered hemorrhoid disease.
Hemorrhoids can become swollen and inflamed from factors such as constipation and straining during bowel movements. Hemorrhoid swelling isn’t something to overlook, as it can impact your quality of life. It can also worsen, leading to greater discomfort and increasing the risk of complications such as a prolapsed hemorrhoid. Understanding what causes hemorrhoid swelling and how to address this symptom can help you get lasting relief.
Understanding Hemorrhoid Swelling
Hemorrhoids naturally swell and become larger during a bowel movement to help stool move easily through the anal canal. However, too much pressure causes the veins to stretch, stay enlarged, and become inflamed. Common causes of swollen veins include constipation, straining while having a bowel movement, sitting for long periods, and pregnancy.
Hemorrhoid swelling can vary depending on whether the swollen anal veins are external or internal.
External Hemorrhoid Swelling
External hemorrhoids develop outside of the anus, where there are more pain-sensing nerves. They are covered by anal skin that’s stretched to make room for the enlarged veins. When they swell, they form a hard lump near the anus and can feel tender to the touch.
Other signs of a swollen external hemorrhoid include:
- Increased swelling after straining
- Anal pain or discomfort when sitting
Internal Hemorrhoid Swelling
Internal hemorrhoids develop in the upper part of the anal canal or lower rectum, so the swelling isn’t visible unless they drop outside the anus and become prolapsed.
A prolapsed hemorrhoid will feel like a soft lump or bulge hanging out of the anus. The swelling associated with prolapsed hemorrhoids is caused by increased pressure in the anal veins. This can occur due to stress during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, or other factors restricting proper blood flow. As the veins become engorged, they may protrude and cause discomfort.
Some internal hemorrhoids are asymptomatic, which means you can have swollen anal veins without realizing it. Others can cause symptoms, such as:
- Red blood in the toilet bowl, stool, or on toilet paper
- Anal itching
- Mucus discharge
- Bowel discomfort
The more swollen and enlarged hemorrhoids are, the more pressure and discomfort a person might feel during a bowel movement.
Risks of Hemorrhoid Swelling
Swollen hemorrhoids can affect everyday life. Normal activities like sitting, walking, and bowel movements can be severely uncomfortable or painful. This can cause distress and embarrassment, affecting your emotional well-being.
If there’s continued pressure from straining or other factors, an untreated internal hemorrhoid can become more inflamed and prolapse. Prolapsed hemorrhoids can be very painful, and if they reach the point where they can’t be pushed back inside the rectum, they can cause ongoing pain and discomfort.
Treatment Options for Hemorrhoid Swelling
There are several ways to reduce hemorrhoid swelling and get relief.
Over-The-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter treatments can help manage symptoms temporarily. These include:
Anti-inflammatory creams or ointments: These can reduce swelling, itching, and inflammation, providing short-term relief.
Suppositories like Preparation H: These contain ingredients that help shrink swollen anal veins and alleviate discomfort.
While these treatments may offer temporary relief, they are a good option for managing symptoms until you can seek medical advice.
Medical Treatments
In some cases, medical treatment is necessary to alleviate swelling from internal hemorrhoids in the long term. External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are likely to go away on their own.
Non-surgical treatments: Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE) is a minimally invasive procedure offered at USA Hemorrhoid Centers. HAE works by shrinking hemorrhoid tissue and can be performed in an outpatient setting with a brief recovery time. It is an effective option for many cases of hemorrhoids that require treatment.
While there are over-the-counter options available, the best course of action is to consult a specialist for a proper diagnosis to see if Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE) is right for you.
When to Seek Medical Help for a Swollen Hemorrhoid
A prolapsed hemorrhoid that doesn’t retract on its own and swollen hemorrhoids that also bleed or are painful should be seen by a hemorrhoid doctor. They can give you a diagnosis and recommend a personalized treatment plan.
Generally, if you notice your hemorrhoid symptoms don’t start improving after a few days, they might not resolve without medical treatment. The earlier you can see a hemorrhoid doctor and get treatment, the better, as early treatment can lead to better outcomes and help you avoid more severe symptoms.
Count on Our Expert Hemorrhoid Doctors to Help You Get Relief
At USA Hemorrhoid Centers, our hemorrhoid doctors treat internal hemorrhoids with hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE). They also provide personalized treatment to help our patients feel better and get back to enjoying life without worrying about hemorrhoid symptoms. Schedule a consultation at a hemorrhoid clinic near you and determine if HAE is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Reduce Swelling from Hemorrhoids at Home?
Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams, ointments, or suppositories can help mitigate swelling at home. Sitz baths, which are warm, shallow baths, can also temporarily relieve swelling and pain from hemorrhoids until proper treatment.
How Long Does Hemorrhoid Swelling Last?
Hemorrhoid swelling can last for a few days. However, if it persists for more than a week, the hemorrhoid can become more inflamed, and you may start noticing other symptoms, such as bleeding and pain. Left untreated, hemorrhoids can last for months or longer, and they can become more severe.
Can Hemorrhoid Swelling Go Away On Its Own?
Hemorrhoid swelling can go away on its own after a few days. You can add fiber to your diet to reduce constipation and minimize excessive straining during a bowel movement. Avoiding sitting for long periods can also help encourage swelling to lessen.
For such a personal issue, I really appreciated how discreet and professional everyone was. The staff made me feel comfortable from check-in through my appointment.
The whole experience was much easier than I expected. The doctor listened to what I was dealing with, explained my options, and answered my questions without making me feel rushed
I had been ignoring my symptoms for months, hoping they would eventually go away. When they started interfering with my daily routine, I knew it was time to see someone. I’m glad I finally did.
I put off getting checked because I was embarrassed. After finally making the appointment, I realized I had built it up in my head to be much worse than it was. I wish I had taken care of it sooner.”
Very professional and compassionate staff. They listened to my concerns, explained my options clearly, and made an uncomfortable situation much easier to deal with.
I came in with a lot of questions and wasn’t sure what treatment would involve. The doctor explained my options clearly and took the time to make sure I understood everything
The doctor was professional, respectful, and easy to talk to. I never felt embarrassed about why I was there, which made a big difference for me.”
Making the appointment was probably the hardest part because I was embarrassed about my symptoms. Once I got there, I realized there was nothing to be embarrassed about. The team was understanding and focused on helping me find the right treatment option.
From scheduling my appointment to meeting with the doctor, I had a positive experience. Everyone treated me with respect and made an uncomfortable health issue much easier to address
I didn’t realize there were different ways to treat hemorrhoids until my consultation. The doctor took the time to explain my options and answer all my questions before I made a decision.
I had been dealing with hemorrhoid symptoms for longer than I should have. The doctor listened to what I was experiencing, explained my options, and helped me understand what treatment might be appropriate.
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I put off getting treatment because I was embarrassed, but I’m glad I finally made the appointment. Everyone was professional and respectful, and the doctor made it much easier to talk about than I expected.
Dr. Pridjian and his staff were extremely knowledgeable, professional, friendly, patient, and put me at ease as I was very nervous. The procedure went exactly it had been explained to me. I would highly recommend Dr. Pridjian and his team!
Dr. Reichman did his job competently and professionally. He is a credit to his profession. His assistant, nurse Kenya was professional, courteous, comforting, and definitely competent during the procedure. They are lucky to have her on their team.
Very helpful staff who made me feel comfortable. The provider was fantastic and I’m actually looking forward to my procedure. 🤞🏻
Dr. Reichman is the best! I’m super glad I decided to get my procedure with him.
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Doctor Reichman is Fantastic!! Made me feel totally comfortable and at ease with procedure. Now I have no more symptoms!! Free after 20 years of discomfort.
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That’s a good place to receive better treatment of Hemorrhoids. You will get a good care of what you are looking for. Dr. Aaron D. Reichman is an amazing person.
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