Hemorrhoids Q&A

What is a hemorrhoid?

A hemorrhoid is a swollen vein or group of veins in or around the anus (where poop comes out).

What causes hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids tend to be caused by high pressure in the lower rectum (tube leading to the anus).

This pressure can be caused by:

• Sitting for long periods, especially on the toilet
• Pushing hard when trying to poop
• Long-lasting diarrhea (loose or frequent poops) or constipation (hard or infrequent poops)
• Being obese
• Being pregnant
• Having anal sex
• Eating a low-fiber diet
• Regularly lifting heavy items

What are symptoms of hemorrhoids?

People with hemorrhoids may experience:

• Painless bleeding from the rectum
• Anal itching or pain
• Tissue bulging around the anus
• Leakage of poop or difficulty cleaning after a poop

These symptoms are common and typically resolve with treatment. But if you experience severe pain, contact Firefly immediately because it may be a sign of a serious problem.

How do you treat hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids typically get better after 1 to 2 weeks of the following treatment:

• Treat any constipation. Your provider may recommend a laxative, a type of medication that makes poop softer and easier to get out. By treating constipation, you will avoid pushing and straining to poop, which can worsen existing hemorrhoids and raise the risk of developing new hemorrhoids.
• Take warm sitz baths. Sitz baths work by improving blood flow and relaxing the muscle around the anus. During a sitz bath, you soak the anus in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes two to three times daily. Sitz baths are available in most drugstores. It is also possible to use a bathtub and sit in 2 to 3 inches of warm water (without soap or bubble bath).
• Avoid sitting for long periods. To avoid putting pressure on the hemorrhoids, use a donut pillow when sitting and alternate sitting/standing.

After 1 week:

• Increase fiber in your diet. Fiber is one of the best ways to keep your poop soft and prevent more hemorrhoids in the future. The recommended amount of dietary fiber is 20 to 35 grams per day. You can get fiber through fruits and vegetables and also through supplements like psyllium (e.g., Konsyl, Metamucil), methylcellulose (e.g., Citrucel), polycarbophil (e.g., FiberCon), and wheat dextrin (e.g., Benefiber). To avoid side effects, start with a small amount and increase slowly.

If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse after this treatment, please reach out to us right away.