Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus that can cause pain, itching, bleeding, or discomfort during bowel movements. At GastroCare LI, we offer both conservative and non-surgical hemorrhoid treatments to help patients in Valley Stream get lasting relief.
Mild hemorrhoids often respond well to lifestyle changes like increased fiber intake, hydration, and over-the-counter treatments. But if your symptoms persist or worsen, our gastroenterologists can provide in-office procedures such as rubber band ligation, infrared coagulation, or sclerotherapy.
These minimally invasive options are fast, effective, and require little to no downtime. Our team will help you understand your options and determine the most appropriate treatment based on your symptoms and hemorrhoid grade.
Hemorrhoids are extremely common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Left untreated, they can lead to complications like thrombosis or anemia due to chronic bleeding.
Get relief from the discomfort of hemorrhoids. Call GastroCare LI at (516) 825-8484 to schedule a discreet, compassionate consultation.
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in or around the rectum (the end part of your large intestine.) Internal hemorrhoids occur in the veins inside your rectum, while external hemorrhoids develop in the skin outside the anus.
Hemorrhoids are common in both sexes, but women often develop them more often. The main factor in hemorrhoid development is pressure in the lower abdominal area. That happens for reasons, such as:
- Pregnancy
- Extra weight
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods
- Standing for long periods
- Frequent vomiting
If you have an ongoing digestive tract issue, for example, chronic constipation or diarrhea, it can increase the pressure on your abdomen and cause hemorrhoids.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
External hemorrhoids are more likely to cause symptoms than internal hemorrhoids. Some of the symptoms that you may experience with external hemorrhoids include:
- Anal itching
- Discomfort or pain
- Sensitive or painful bump in the skin around your anus
- Swelling around the anus
- Feces leakage
- Blood on toilet tissue, discolored toilet bowl water, or blood in your stool
Internal hemorrhoids are usually painless. They may cause bleeding during bowel movements. However, internal hemorrhoids can sometimes protrude from the anus (prolapse), in which case they can cause discomfort, itching, and other issues.
How are hemorrhoids treated?
GastroCare LI treats hemorrhoids based on the type of hemorrhoid, the symptoms they cause, and your underlying health issues. In many cases, a high-fiber diet, sitz baths (sitting in warm water up to your hips), and over-the-counter pain relievers help with hemorrhoids.
However, if your hemorrhoids persist and cause disruptive symptoms, you might need a treatment like hemorrhoid banding. GastroCare LI offers the CRH O’Regan System®, an in-office treatment that’s more than 99% effective in eliminating internal hemorrhoids.
With this treatment, your provider places tiny bands on the hemorrhoids, cutting off their blood supply. The hemorrhoids then shrink and fall off in time. The CRH O’Regan System requires no sedation, no anesthesia, no fasting, and no downtime.
Hemorrhoid banding takes only a few minutes at the GastroCare LI office. Suppose hemorrhoid banding isn’t right for you. In that case, there are other effective options, such as sclerotherapy injections used to irritate and wither the veins, or infrared heat coagulation to seal off the veins.
Less than 10% of hemorrhoids need surgery, but if you have large or complicated-to-treat hemorrhoids, you could need a surgical procedure to drain the blood and eliminate the hemorrhoid.
If you have hemorrhoid symptoms, don’t wait to get help. Call the GastroCare LI office or click on the provided booking tool now.