Hemorrhoids

About one in 20 Americans will develop hemorrhoids at least once in their life. To quickly shrink painful veins and resolve itchy, bleeding and other hemorrhoid symptoms, Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc., offers nonsurgical infrared coagulation (IRC) procedures in-office. IRC cuts off the blood supply to the enlarged veins, so they shrink and fall off. Hussein Abidali, DO, and the team can also recommend strategies to prevent new hemorrhoids from developing. Call the office in Rancho Cucamonga, California, to schedule a hemorrhoid consultation or request one online today. 

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your lower rectum and anus. These enlarged veins can develop inside your rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin surrounding your anus (external hemorrhoids).

You can develop hemorrhoids if you frequently strain during bowel movements or sit for an extended time. Other factors that contribute to hemorrhoids include:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Low-fiber diet
• Heavy lifting
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation

Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. offers diagnostic exam services to identify the type of hemorrhoids you have. The team can also treat them with a same-day, nonsurgical procedure.

When should I seek medical care for hemorrhoids?

Many people with hemorrhoids can find relief from hemorrhoid symptoms using over-the-counter creams that shrink enlarged tissue. However, if this treatment isn’t enough, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. if you have persistent symptoms like:

• Anal itching
• Anal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Hard lump near the anal opening

The medical team physically examines the veins. They customize a care plan to quickly relieve your symptoms and treat the enlarged veins.

How are hemorrhoids treated?

Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc., uses infrared coagulation (IRC) technology to treat painful hemorrhoids. IRC uses infrared light as a heat source to cut off blood supply to internal hemorrhoids. The loss of blood causes the vein to shrink and eventually fall off.

During your procedure, your provider places a probe above the hemorrhoid to deliver bursts of light into the vein. You may feel some warmth in the area of the probe, but the procedure shouldn’t be painful.

IRC procedures are safe and quick. You should be able to return to your usual activities with minimal recovery. It’s common to experience mild side effects after an IRC treatment, such as:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling
• Difficulties urinating

If you develop blood clots, your hemorrhoid may get bigger (thrombosed hemorrhoid), and the medical team can recommend any additional treatments you need.

Sometimes, the medical team may need to repeat the IRC procedure to fully shrink hemorrhoids and resolve your symptoms. They also recommend diet and lifestyle changes to prevent additional hemorrhoids from developing.

Call Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc., to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for painful hemorrhoids or request an appointment online today.