Urgent Care
Hemorrhoids Treatment
In Napa, Sonoma and Benicia
Hemorrhoids Treatment
You might have hemorrhoids if you notice discomfort, itching, or pain around your anus, especially when sitting. Look for blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. If you feel a painful lump near your anus or experience rectal bleeding, these are also common signs of hemorrhoids.
At Urgent Care + TeleHealth clinics in Napa, Sonoma, and Benicia we’ll examine you and provide treatment. Depending upon the severity, we may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription hemorrhoids creams, ointments, or suppositories to relieve discomfort.
There’s no need to wait for your primary care doctor. We take most insurance plans including Medicare and Kaiser and can usually see you on the same day. We offer easy online appointments for both in-person and telehealth visits, but you can also just come on in without an appointment and we’ll see you as soon as possible.
Click image to enlarge hemorrhoids diagram.
Concerned about hemorrhoids? Feel Better Fast with Urgent Care + TeleHealth
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal canal’s tissue and muscle. They can be internal, located higher in the rectum and usually painless, or they can swell and stick out of the anus. External hemorrhoids form around the rectum’s outer lining and often cause discomfort, itching, pain, and bleeding.
Common causes of hemorrhoids include:
- Straining During Bowel Movements: This is a frequent cause of hemorrhoids. When you strain when using the bathroom, it puts extra pressure on the veins in the rectal area which leads to swelling.
- Prolonged Sitting: Sitting for extended periods, especially on the toilet, increases pressure on the veins in the lower rectum, which can contribute to hemorrhoids.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the growing uterus exerts additional pressure on the veins in the rectal area. This increased pressure, along with hormonal changes, can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.
Making Hemorrhoid Treatment Easy
- Busy? Try a quick doctor video call first. When appropriate, we can call in a prescription to your pharmacy for same day pickup. If needed, follow up in person at one of our walk-in clinics.
- Walk-ins at the clinics are always welcome, but appointments are recommended when possible.
- We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare and Kaiser. Plus we offer discounts for FSA/HSA payments.
- Weekend hours are available in Napa and Benicia.
- Usually you won’t have to wait long.
- Our patients highly recommend us – see our reviews!
- Led by Dr. Ian Ahwah, an emergency medicine doctor with 25 years of experience, our Urgent Care clinics offer expert care.
What are the types of Hemorrhoids?
- Internal Hemorrhoids: These are inside the rectum, so you can’t see them. They usually don’t hurt, but they might cause bleeding without pain. Sometimes, they can stick out of the anus, especially when you’re going to the bathroom.
- External Hemorrhoids: These are under the skin around your anus. You can feel these because they might itch, hurt, or bleed. If a blood clot forms in one of these hemorrhoids, it can be very painful.
Some people can have both internal and external hemorrhoids at the same time. How bad they are and how they’re treated depends on their type and how much they bother you. At your appointment, we’ll do an examination and dianose the type and severity of your hemorrhoids and then provide treatment.
How are hemorrhoids caused?
Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in the lower rectum, which leads to swelling of the veins in that area. This pressure can arise from several sources.
- Straining during bowel movements, particularly if you have constipation.
- Prolonged sitting, especially on the toilet, can also contribute to this pressure buildup.
- Being overweight or obese adds to the strain in the rectal veins.
- Pregnancy, due to the weight of the growing uterus, can lead to hemorrhoid development.
- Age is another factor, as the tissues supporting rectal and anal veins weaken and stretch over time, making older adults more prone to hemorrhoids.
How are hemorrhoids treated?
- Home Treatments and Lifestyle Changes: Many people find relief from hemorrhoids with home treatments and by making lifestyle changes. This might include dietary adjustments, such as increasing fiber intake, and changes in toilet habits to avoid straining during bowel movements.
- Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription medications can be used to relieve mild pain, swelling, and itching associated with hemorrhoids.
- Procedures: In severe cases procedures may be necessary such as a rubber-band ligation or hemorrhoidectomy. In these situations, we’ll recommend that you visit a specialist.
How can I avoid hemorrhoids?
Effective methods include eating high-fiber foods and taking stool softeners or fiber supplements like psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel). It’s also beneficial to drink plenty of water or other nonalcoholic fluids. Try to avoid straining during bowel movements and don’t sit on the toilet for too long. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can help. Additionally, sitting in a warm water bath, known as a sitz bath, several times a day can alleviate pain.
What are 6 ways to get relief from hemorrhoids?
- Dietary Changes: The goal is to reduce straining during bowel movements. To reduce constipation, we recommend increasing fiber. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water keeps stools soft and that makes them easier to pass.
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Pain relievers and hemorrhoid creams or suppositories containing hydrocortisone can also provide relief. In addition, stool softeners or fiber supplements containing psyllium or methylcellulose can help prevent constipation and make it easier to pass stool. Your provider at Urgent Care + TeleHealth will recommend a course of treatment.
- Warm Baths: Sitting in a warm bath for about 10 to 15 minutes several times a day, especially after bowel movements, can reduce symptoms.
- Ice Packs: Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce swelling and pain.
- Physical Activity: Regular exercise can prevent constipation and reduce pressure on veins.
References
- Treatment of Hemorrhoids, US Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids/treatment
- Hemorrhoids: Diagnosis and Treatment, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360280
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