What to do about a bleeding hemorrhoid?
I had asked the doctor who did my colonoscopy this summer to remove it, but when I woke up he said that he didn’t because it was too small to bother with…..well, right now it has been bleeding off and on all afternoon – now what do I do?
I don’t have insurance, so its not like I can go run off to the doctors if this is something minor….
Is there anything that I can do?
Tagged with: colonoscopy • doctor who • doctors • insurance
Filed under: Hemorrhoid Questions
angie (68)
I’ve been there, off and on, for years. I did have one removed by ligation a few years ago, and it has since returned. I plan to see the doctor about it again and hopefully have another ligation.
Without insurance, you don’t want to run off to the doctor if it can be avoided. If the blood is bright red, that is good. Dark blood means possible trouble and you’d have to see a doctor asap. Bright red blood means the fissure is near the "end of the line", so to speak, and you’re not getting waste into your bloodstream.
Here are some things to do that do help:
Keep the anal area clean, using a mild soap and gentle dabbing after a bowel movement. Avoid vigorous rubbing of the area.
Keep the anus and hemorrhoids as dry as possible, using talcum powder and a pad of soft tissue to absorb moisture.
Eat a diet high in fiber (bran) and roughage. Fiber and bran retain water in the stool, producing soft, bulky stools which are easier to pass and reduce the tendency to develop hemorrhoids. Bulking agents, such as Metamucil, Konsyl, Citrucel, and Fibercon, are available in drug stores. These also come in less expensive generic versions.
Avoid straining when having a bowel movement. Don’t force it.
When thrombosis, pain, and tenderness occur, a 10 to 20 minute hot tub bath two to four times daily brings heat to the area, provides relief from the pain, and promotes healing. This is called a hot Sitz bath.
It perhaps helps to know that the amount of blood lost is usually much smaller than you think. A few drops of blood in the bowl can spread out in the water and look like a lot more than it really is.
get some haemarrhoid cream from the pharmacist.
Hemorrhoids can get irritated by constipation. Increasing the fiber in your diet may help. (ie, more fruits and veggies or cereal high in fiber). In the mean time, you can try a medicated cream or which hazel wipes (TUCKS pads). If it is bleeding continuously in large amounts go back to your doctor ASAP as you don’t want to lose too much blood. GOOD LUCK!