You might feel embarrassed talking about hemorrhoids, but you shouldn’t. They’re a common problem, affecting about 1 in 20 men and women and about half of all adults older than 50.

At Imperial Digestive Health Specialists, the topic of hemorrhoids is one we address often.

Board-certified Oforbuike Ewelukwa, MD, MSc, and our team understand the discomfort and pain they can cause. We also have the expertise to treat you for this seemingly embarrassing yet very common issue.

Here’s some helpful information on when to seek help and what you can expect when you come in for treatment.

Knowing when to get treatment for hemorrhoids

The irritation caused by this issue not only makes you uncomfortable, but it can also lead to other complications when not accurately diagnosed or treated. 

Symptoms that call for treatment include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Bright red blood on your toilet tissue
• Pain in your rectum or anus when walking or sitting down
• Itchy anus
• Tender lumps in and around your anus
• Abdominal pain
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• No relief after using over-the-counter products
• Dark or maroon-colored bowel movements

If you have these symptoms of hemorrhoids, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ewelukwa. He can determine the exact cause of your issues while ruling out other conditions to help you avoid complications.

If you have continual rectal bleeding and start to feel light-headed, make a trip to the emergency room for immediate medical attention.

What to expect during your evaluation

Dr. Ewelukwa first asks you about your symptoms and other questions to find the root cause of your hemorrhoids. He then examines you for internal, external, and prolapsed hemorrhoids, which only takes a few minutes. 

He also checks for other potential problems, such as blood clots, skin tags, or infection.

We encourage you to be open with Dr. Ewelukwa about your concerns, and feel free to ask questions. He makes sure you feel comfortable throughout your appointment, so don’t delay getting the care you need.

How to treat your hemorrhoids

Our team starts with a conservative approach using at-home remedies for milder cases of hemorrhoids. These remedies include:

• Suppositories
• Medicated pads
• Medicated creams
• Sitz baths
• Laxatives to soften your stool
• Increased fiber in your diet

If your hemorrhoids don’t improve with these treatments, we provide minimally invasive medical procedures, including rubber band ligation, electrocoagulation, infrared coagulation, and sclerotherapy. 

In more severe cases, we have the expertise to perform surgery, as needed. 

Though you might feel uncomfortable reaching out for help about your hemorrhoids, don’t keep living with uncomfortable or concerning symptoms. We’re here to help!

To book an appointment with our team, call our office in Katy, Texas, today at 281-397-3499. You can also text us at 832-639-5725 or request a visit online.