What to Do About Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a real pain, often flaring and resolving, but causing discomfort. Most hemorrhoids aren't severe, but if you see blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl, it's an extremely terrifying experience.

The good news is that bleeding hemorrhoids aren’t always a serious problem, but if you're not sure what's causing the bleeding, it's essential to seek help.

At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dr. Ilyas Memon offers various treatments for issues like hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding, and other GI issues. Dr. Memon is an experienced gastroenterologist offering conservative and surgical treatments for hemorrhoids.

Are bleeding hemorrhoids serious?

Hemorrhoids are an annoying issue that happens when blood vessels near the anus and rectum swell, causing discomfort and bleeding. There are both internal and external hemorrhoids, both of which can lead to bleeding.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are relatively common and may be the only sign that you have them. You may notice a tinge of blood when you wipe or see blood in your stool or the toilet.

The blood from a bleeding hemorrhoid is often pink or bright red and may be just a little bit or seem like a lot. If you notice darker blood in your stool or toilet, it's crucial to seek treatment as the issue may not be due to hemorrhoids.

In most cases, bleeding hemorrhoids aren't a serious problem, but if the problem persists, it’s a good idea to come in for an appointment.

Next steps in treatment

Anytime you see blood in the toilet, it should be cause for concern. When you come in for an appointment, Dr. Memon discusses your symptoms and performs a physical exam.

Treatment depends on the severity of hemorrhoids and the amount of bleeding you’re experiencing. If Dr. Memon needs more information, he may do a digital rectal exam or a sigmoidoscopy to look for other issues that cause bleeding.

For mild to moderate hemorrhoids, Dr. Memon recommends home care and conservative treatments. These treatments may include:

• Witch hazel pads or creams
• Drink plenty of water
• Soak in a sitz bath daily
• Increase fiber intake
• Using laxatives when needed
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories

You can also use wet wipes or toilet paper infused with lotion after a bowel movement. These therapies often help to keep the stools soft to prevent aggravating the hemorrhoids.

If conservative therapies don't work and the hemorrhoids cause pain, Dr. Memon recommends other treatments like rubber band ligation, electrocoagulation, or sclerotherapy.

When to seek emergency care for hemorrhoids

Anytime you see blood in your stool, it's a cause for concern — but certain situations require emergency treatment. If you have hemorrhoids and notice severe or heavy rectal bleeding, it’s critical to seek emergency care.

You should also get emergency care if you have severe rectal pain from hemorrhoids or constant bleeding. A bluish lump around the anus could indicate a thrombosed hemorrhoid, which is a problem.

A thrombosed hemorrhoid happens when a blood clot forms inside the hemorrhoid, often causing severe pain and significant bleeding.

To learn more about our hemorrhoid treatments, call one of our conveniently located offices in Texas or request a consultation on our website.