When you notice blood in stool, it can be very frightening. This symptom could be caused by a variety of conditions, from hemorrhoids and Inflammatory Bowel Disease to anal fissures, infections or even cancer. So, how can you determine the cause of your bloody stool, and seek appropriate care? Here’s what you need to know.

Consider the Color of Blood in Stool

If you see blood on your toilet paper after passing a bowel movement, or you notice that there’s blood in your stool, it’s important to consider the color of that blood. As we learned from a recent viral TikTok post, knowing that information can help determine the underlying cause of your symptom.  

You see, if the blood is one of several hemorrhoids symptoms, it’s color will be bright red, looking a lot like fresh tomato sauce. But blood associated with cancer is often darker in color. Now, determining the color of blood in stool is not the only way to differentiate between causes. Any condition that causes bleeding is likely to manifest with other symptoms—you may also notice changes in your bowel habits, anal protrusions or other differences in your overall health.  Be sure to note any unusual symptoms and share them with your healthcare provider. Doing so will help you get an appropriate diagnosis and targeted, effective treatment.

Minimally Invasive Hemorrhoid Relief in Georgia

After tracking your symptoms and speaking to your doctor, you may learn that internal hemorrhoids are causing blood to appear in your stool. And, if that’s the case, our Georgia Hemorrhoids team is here to help. If you want to relieve your symptoms without surgery, request a consultation at one of our three locations in and around Atlanta. Together, we can explore your candidacy for HAE (hemorrhoid artery embolization) a  minimally-invasive treatment that resolves symptoms such as blood in stool while allowing you to avoid surgery and overnight hospital stays.

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that develop in and around the anus. Some causes of hemorrhoids, also known as piles, include constipation, sitting too long on the toilet, and straining to pass a bowel movement. Recently, there has been a rise in the use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy for individuals who are trying to lose weight. And, because they can impact your diet and digestion, there are important factors to consider when it comes to GLP-1 medications and hemorrhoids.

How Ozempic Impacts Digestion

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications can reduce your appetite, meaning you’re less likely to take in large amounts of fiber-rich fluids. This medication class can also change the fluid balance in your body, meaning stool may be harder to pass. Finally, the medications can directly impact your digestion, slowing down the process. In combination, these factors can increase your risk for constipation—and, in turn, for hemorrhoids.

GLP-1 Medications and Hemorrhoids

While this class of medication can increase your hemorrhoid risk, taking a drug like Ozempic does not have to leave you with piles. To help prevent hemorrhoid formation, you can focus on the following:

• Increase fiber in your diet, giving particular focus to these 5 foods to prevent hemorrhoids
• Drink more water, since hydration helps with digestion while keeping stools soft to prevent straining
• Move more, as staying physically active can also support healthy digestion
• Consider a stool softener if lifestyle measures alone are not preventing constipation

When to See a Doctor

As we’ve learned more about this class of medication, phrases like ‘Ozempic face’ have become part of our vocabulary. Sometimes, the drugs work so quickly that your body can’t quite keep up with all the changes, and side effects develop. So, if changes in your digestion due to GLP-1 medications have led to internal hemorrhoids, you don’t have to with symptoms such as pain, itching or bleeding. Instead, you can reach out to the team at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute to request a consultation. When you come into the office, we can discuss your eligibility for HAE (hemorrhoid artery embolization), a minimally-invasive treatment option for Grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids.

Sitting on the toilet for too long can wreak havoc on your lower body. But how can something so basic cause so many concerns? Let's dive in, together.

The Problem With Sitting on the Toilet Too Long

It's hard to say exactly how long is too long when you're sitting on the toilet. Ideally, though, you'd spend no longer than 10-15 minutes trying to pass a bowel movement. (That means you'll have to steer clear of distractions on your phone. Otherwise, you're risking developing a condition known as ‘TikTok tush, something you can prevent by finishing your business in under five minutes, according to this study in the journal PLOS One.) But why is that short time-frame so crucial?

Extended toilet sitting compresses nerves in the perineum. (Located between a man's anus and scrotum or a woman's anus and vulva.) Immediately, that can lead to perineal numbness, or foot and leg tingling once you get up off the toilet.

But that's just a temporary concern; sitting too long on the toilet can lead to more lasting damage. Why is that the case? Staying in this position puts pressure on the rectum, especially since the hole in the toilet allows your rectum to drop below the height of the buttocks. Add in straining or constipation (common reasons for extending your toilet time) and you've got the perfect recipe for hemorrhoid formation.

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are enlarged rectal veins. They form under pressure, like the kind that comes from sitting too long on the toilet. And that's because the combination of pressure and gravity lets blood collect in the veins in your rectum. That makes it harder for blood to flow naturally, causing bulging hemorrhoids to form. In turn, you may develop symptoms such as itching, discomfort or bleeding with bowel movements. And that should suggest that it's time to explore treatment options.

Internal Hemorrhoid Relief in Georgia

If sitting on the toilet too long has left you with symptoms of internal hemorrhoids, we're ready to provide relief! Click here to request an appointment at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute. When you come in, we'll review your minimally invasive treatment options!

When you have internal hemorrhoids, symptoms can disrupt your daily life. If you’re already dealing with itching, bleeding and discomfort, the last thing you want to do is worsen the existing problems. So, what activities irritate hemorrhoids? And what are safe alternatives to try while you research treatment options? Here’s what you need to know!

What Activities Irritate Hemorrhoids?

Internal hemorrhoids are classified from grade 1-4, depending on the degree of protrusion from the rectum. Mild, grade 1 hemorrhoids could become irritated and even progress from the following activities:

• Sitting for too long, especially on the toilet

• Workouts that put pressure on your rectal area, including cycling and heavy weight lifting
  
• Extended periods of standing, especially for individuals living with obesity

What Not to Do When Having Hemorrhoids

If you want to avoid activities that irritate hemorrhoids, you should reduce the amount of time you spend on the toilet. Remaining sedentary for long periods of time is also a problem, as it can take a toll on your digestive health, increasing your risk for constipation—and making hemorrhoids worse!

When you have hemorrhoids, moderate exercise can help manage your symptoms, but strenuous workouts could lead to irritation. (Below you can review the best and worst exercises for hemorrhoids.)

You should also steer clear of constipating foods and avoid dehydration, following a diet to help hemorrhoids instead.  Finally, when you do pass a bowel movement, avoid excessive straining and wiping with rough, irritating toilet paper as both activities can irritate hemorrhoids. 

 Best and Worst Exercises for Hemorrhoids

When you have internal hemorrhoids, these workouts could worsen your symptoms:

• Lifting heavy weights
• Spinning classes or bike rides
• Deep squats
• Sit-ups
• Horseback riding 
• Rowing

Still, in order to help improve digestion and blood flow, and reduce your risk for constipation, you should get regular exercise. Try to work exercise into your daily routine, choosing low-impact options such as the following activities:

•  Walking
•  Yoga
• Swimming
•  Planks
• Body weight exercises

When to See a Doctor

While avoiding certain activities may prevent irritation, if your internal hemorrhoids have progressed past grade 1, you may require medical intervention in order to find lasting relief. Here at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute, we treat grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids with hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE), a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks swollen vessels by blocking their blood flow. You can learn more and explore your candidacy by requesting a consultation at on of our three locations in the greater Atlanta area.

Are pregnancy-related hemorrhoids making it harder to get through the day? The pressure, itching, and pain feel overwhelming, especially when your focus should be on growing a happy, healthy baby.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are a common but uncomfortable concern. At Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute, we help you manage symptoms with safe, effective, non-surgical options. During pregnancy, our goal is to prevent flare-ups and manage symptoms with gentle remedies.. After childbirth, you can explore additional treatment options to support long-term relief and healing.

What Causes Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the rectal area. Some factors are unavoidable, like the growing uterus adding pressure on your pelvic veins. Others, like diet, constipation, and lifestyle habits, can often be managed to help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Pressure From the Growing Uterus

As your pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus and the fetus inside it put more pressure on your bowel and pelvis. This added weight restricts blood circulation in the pelvic area, compressing the veins around the anus and rectum. When blood can’t flow back to the heart properly, it causes swelling and can lead to hemorrhoidal formation.

Hormonal Changes and Constipation

During pregnancy, your hormones change rapidly. Some of those changes affect your digestive process, increasing your risk of constipation.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy can develop for two main reasons. First, the extra weight from retained stool puts more pressure on your rectum. Additionally, constipation can cause you to strain while trying to pass a bowel movement, which can worsen the issue.

Straining During Bowel Movements

Straining during bowel movements increases your risk of hemorrhoids in several ways.

The pressure from straining puts excess pressure on veins in your anus and rectum, damaging the small valves inside these veins. This can cause blood to pool, leading to painful swelling, inflammation, and tissue damage.

If you already have internal hemorrhoids, severe straining can push the swollen veins outside the anus, causing a prolapsed hemorrhoid.

Common Symptoms of Pregnancy Hemorrhoids

If you develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy, symptoms include pain, itching, and burning in or around the anus. You might notice small, painful bumps or swollen areas around your anus that feel tender to the touch, especially when sitting or during bowel movements. With internal hemorrhoids, you may experience bleeding with bowel movements, and the swollen vessels could protrude from your anus.

Itching, Discomfort, and Swelling

When you have hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you may experience intense itching in your anal area. You may also experience pain or discomfort around the anus, especially when sitting. The affected area may feel hard, lumpy, or swollen.

Pain During Bowel Movements

Both internal and external hemorrhoids can cause pain during bowel movements. With internal hemorrhoids, you may experience pain if pushing to pass your bowel movement causes the swollen veins to prolapse. With external hemorrhoids, passing stool can increase pressure on the inflamed and swollen tissue surrounding the anus, causing sharp or stabbing pain.

Bleeding or Protruding Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids may protrude or bleed when passing a bowel movement. As such, you may notice bright red blood on your toilet paper or in the toilet after passing a bowel movement. Some protruding hemorrhoids can be manually inserted back into the rectum, but more severely prolapsed hemorrhoids will remain in place.

How To Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

To help prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy, focus on diet and lifestyle measures that naturally reduce your risk for constipation.

Diet and Hydration Tips

Increasing your daily fiber intake to about 25 grams may help prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy. While supplements can help, you can also try adding fiber-rich foods such as leafy green veggies, fresh fruits—especially ones with skin, such as pears or apples—and whole grains.

If you’re already worried about what helps with hemorrhoids while pregnant, you can also choose produce that comes in bright colors, as their flavonoids can help manage bleeding hemorrhoids.

Staying hydrated is also important. Try drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. You should drink water consistently throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty. And, if constipation is already a problem, consider drinking fiber-rich fluids like prune juice to help soften stool and reduce straining when trying to pass a bowel movement.

Avoiding Constipation Naturally

In addition to increasing your fiber and fluid intake, changing your bathroom habits can also help prevent constipation naturally. Try using a stepstool to elevate your knees above your hips when passing a bowel movement. This position can help relax your muscles and digestive system, making it easier to empty your bowels without straining. Adding more physical activity to your day can also help relieve constipation.

Exercise and Gentle Movement

Any time you move your body, even if you do something as simple as walking, you help reduce your risk for constipation. Regular physical activity stimulates your intestinal muscles, promoting healthy contractions that help move food through your digestive tract more efficiently, preventing the stool buildup contributing to hemorrhoid formation. After clearing any form of physical activity with your physician, aim for 30 minutes of mild to moderate exercise each day to reduce your risk for hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Safe Hemorrhoid Relief During Pregnancy

While we would not recommend a medical procedure to relieve hemorrhoids during pregnancy, there are safe and effective ways to deal with them that won’t compromise the health and safety of your growing fetus.

At-Home Treatments and Remedies

When you have hemorrhoids during pregnancy, finding relief can be complicated. But you can manage your symptoms by:

• Reducing constipation
• Avoiding standing or sitting for too long
• Gently soaking or soothing the affected area
• Using creams or topicals that are approved by your obstetrician

Sitz Baths, Cold Packs, and Creams

To manage hemorrhoid symptoms, soaking in a sitz bath of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes, several times a day, can help reduce inflammation and may promote blood flow away from your swollen rectal veins.

To alleviate pain and swelling, apply a covered ice pack directly to the area for a few minutes, several times a day. Topical creams may also provide relief, especially those that contain soothing witch hazel. However, any products you consider must be cleared for safety by your healthcare provider.  

When To Talk to a Specialist

If at-home remedies or treatments aren’t providing sufficient relief, consult your healthcare provider or a specialist about treatment options. This is especially important if you’re experiencing severe pain or rectal bleeding.

What Helps With Hemorrhoids While Pregnant?

Several different approaches can help with hemorrhoids while you’re pregnant:

• Increase your physical activity.
• Increase your daily intake of fluid and fiber.
• Avoid staying in one position for too long.
• Try natural or home remedies to relieve discomfort if you start experiencing hemorrhoid symptoms.

When To See a Doctor for Hemorrhoids

Consult your healthcare provider if you experience severe pain,  bleeding, or if your symptoms don’t improve after a week of home treatment.

You should also seek medical advice if your bowel habits change, pass tarry or black stool, or have any concerns about the cause of rectal bleeding.

Signs Your Hemorrhoids Need Medical Attention

Your hemorrhoids may need medical attention if:

• You experience persistent, severe pain
• Rectal bleeding is heavy
• Prolapsed hemorrhoids can’t be easily repositioned
• Stool color is consistently black
• You develop a fever or other systemic symptoms

Safe Options for Medical Evaluation During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your hemorrhoids can be safely evaluated with a visual inspection or a digital rectal exam. For internal hemorrhoids, your healthcare provider may insert a small, flexible tube into your rectum to conduct a sigmoidoscopy. This helps visualize the internal lining of the rectum. You can also begin considering post-pregnancy treatment options by answering these HAE screening questions to help determine if you’re a candidate for hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE).

Support From Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute

With three different locations in Georgia, we are here to support you through the challenges of hemorrhoids during pregnancy and after childbirth. If you’re considering how to manage  hemorrhoids during pregnancy, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider. For personalized guidance on postpartum treatment options tailored to your specific symptoms and medical history, request a consultation with our team of experts at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute.

Hemorrhoids cause many disruptive symptoms. These include itching, bleeding and discomfort in and around your anus. But can you have intercourse with hemorrhoids? Here's the low down on getting busy with this condition.

Undertsanding Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (or piles) are enlarged veins that develop in your rectum or anus. We can diagnose this condition using a scale of severity of hemorrhoid protrusion, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 4.

• Grade 1 hemorrhoids are small, usually invisible and not palpable. They may bleed when you pass bowel movements, but are unlikely to hurt.
  
• Grade 2 hemorrhoids are larger, and may protrude from your anus during bowel movements, returning without intervention once the movement is complete. They can also cause pain, itching and bleeding.
  
• Grade 3 hemorrhoids bulge out of the anal canal, only returning inside with manual repositioning. They also cause disruptive symptoms.
  
• Grade 4 hemorrhoids bulge out of your anal canal, even after manual repositioning. They cause severe symptoms.

Having intercourse with hemorrhoids

Your sex life may be unaffected by less severe hemorrhoids. But with grade two, three or four hemorrhoids, it may be too painful to engage in anal or vaginal penetration. (Anal penetration can also be a cause of hemorrhoids, a fact Bravo TV star Scheana Shay learned the hard way.) Of course, you can find other ways to connect intimately while you explore your hemorrhoid treatment options. But seeking medical intervention is likely the only way you'll be able to fully re-engage in an unimpeded sex life.

Hemorrhoid Treatment in Georgia

Here at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute, we perform Hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE), a non-surgical procedure that relieves symptoms of grade two and three internal hemorrhoids. Unlike surgical hemorrhoid removal, it comes with a faster recovery period, along with fewer side effects and minimal discomfort.

Are you having difficulty engaging in intercourse with hemorrhoids? Are you ready to find lasting symptom relief? Click here to request an appointment with our hemorrhoid experts in Georgia.

Hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) is the best treatment for internal hemorrhoids when you want to avoid surgery.

This minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatment is specifically designed for patients with grade 2 to 3 internal hemorrhoids and is now available at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute.

Below, we explain what to expect during and after this non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment that's changing lives across Georgia..

What Is Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE)?

HAE is a minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatment that provides targeted relief. Performed through small incisions, the procedure is much less invasive than surgical treatments. And, because it is a targeted treatment focused on the arteries that supply blood flow to your hemorrhoids, it comes with a lower risk of side effects and complications.

How HAE Works to Treat Hemorrhoids

As the premier minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatment in Georgia, HAE targets the root cause of hemorrhoids rather than just addressing symptoms. This medical procedure treats hemorrhoids by cutting off their blood supply. To achieve this goal, our interventional radiologists insert a catheter into a blood vessel so it can be guided to the arteries that supply your hemorrhoids. Next, we use that catheter to deposit embolizing materials that block blood flow, beginning a process that causes your hemorrhoids to shrink over time. 

How HAE Differs From Surgery, Banding, and Other Treatments

Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive, highly targeted treatment that stands apart from more traditional options like surgery, banding, or infrared coagulation.

Surgical hemorrhoid removal physically cuts out the hemorrhoids, often impacting the surrounding tissue and leading to longer, more painful recovery times. In contrast, HAE works by precisely blocking the arteries that supply blood to the hemorrhoids, without cutting or direct contact with the hemorrhoid itself.

Banding, or rubber band ligation, treats hemorrhoids by cutting off their blood supply, but it’s less targeted. The bands are placed at the base of the hemorrhoid, which can affect the surrounding tissue and may cause discomfort.

Infrared coagulation uses heat to shrink hemorrhoids, but it’s also less precise and slightly more invasive than HAE, since it works externally rather than inside the arteries.

Unlike traditional hemorrhoid surgery, which can require weeks of painful recovery, HAE at Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute allows most patients to return to normal activities within just a few days.

Who Is a Good Candidate for HAE?

HAE is the best treatment for internal hemorrhoids when patients experience chronic symptoms like bleeding and wish to avoid surgery.

This treatment works best for grade 2 to 3 internal hemorrhoids. Patients with grade 4 hemorrhoids may not be able to find relief from hemorrhoid treatment without surgery. You can further explore your own candidacy for this procedure by answering these HAE screening questions.

When To Choose HAE as an Alternative to Hemorrhoid Surgery

HAE is intended to treat symptomatic patients who have not responded to less invasive treatment options (e.g., lifestyle measures or medications).

Hemorrhoid artery embolization may be a better choice than hemorrhoid surgery when targeting internal hemorrhoids. It is also the preferred option for those who are not medically cleared for surgery, or for those who wish to avoid invasive procedures and overnight hospital stays.

Signs and Symptoms That May Require Intervention

Hemorrhoids are not typically dangerous. However, some symptoms could indicate it’s time to seek medical intervention. Speak to your healthcare provider if you experience one or more of the following:

• Severe pain
• Persistent rectal bleeding
• Prolapsed hemorrhoids that can’t be pushed back into the rectum
• Changes in stool color or bowel habits
• Discomfort that can’t be managed with over-the-counter treatments.

Why Patients Choose HAE Over Traditional Surgery

Many patients choose HAE for its minimally invasive nature, allowing them to avoid overnight hospital stays and extended recovery periods. The procedure also comes with a lower risk of side effects and complications when compared to traditional surgery and is typically a more cost-effective treatment option.

HAE for Grade 2–3 Hemorrhoids: What To Know

Hemorrhoid artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that treats grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids by blocking their blood supply. This causes the hemorrhoids to shrink, improving symptoms and reducing concerns such as prolapse or bleeding.  While it’s less invasive than surgery, some preparation will still be required before your treatment, as well as some post-procedure care instructions to follow.

Preparing for Your HAE Procedure

If you are considering hemorrhoid artery embolization, your treatment journey will begin with a consultation at one of our three Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute locations.

Consultation and Diagnostic Imaging

During your initial consultation, you will be asked about your complete medical history, including any medications you may be taking. Prior to undergoing HAE, you may need to adjust medications, especially if you’re taking blood thinners.

We may also order imaging or diagnostic tests to confirm your candidacy for the procedure.

Medications and Day-Before Guidelines

On the evening before your procedure, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight. We will review which medications you may or may not take prior to undergoing HAE. You may also need to undergo bowel preparation, but you will receive separate instructions if that is necessary.

What To Expect on the Day of the Procedure

On the day of the procedure, you will arrive and meet with your interventional radiologist and anesthesiologist. While your HAE does not require general anesthesia, you may be under sedation to keep you relaxed and comfortable.

What Happens During HAE

During the procedure, our interventional radiologist uses X-ray guidance to direct a catheter to the arteries supplying your hemorrhoids with blood. Embolic material is then injected into the catheter to block blood flow through the arteries and into your hemorrhoids.

Starved of blood, the hemorrhoids continue to shrink in the weeks following HAE.

Step-by-Step Overview of the Procedure

1. Prepare
   Fast the night before your procedure and stop taking blood thinners when directed. 
2. Relax
   You will be given medication to remain calm and comfortable during your procedure, but you won’t require general anesthesia.
3. Insertion of Catheter
   We’ll make a small needle puncture, allowing us to insert the catheter used for the procedure.
4. Navigation
   Using imaging guidance, we’ll direct the catheter to access the specific small arteries supplying your hemorrhoidal tissue. 
5. Deposit
   We’ll inject tiny particles of embolic material to cut off the hemorrhoid’s blood supply. 
6. Imaging
   We’ll confirm successful blood flow reduction via X-ray.
7. Recovery and Release
   We’ll monitor you for a brief period following hemorrhoid artery embolization, then allow you to go home. You must be driven and accompanied by a friend or family member.

Anesthesia, Access Point, and Duration

When you undergo HAE at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute, you will receive IV sedation instead of general anesthesia. We will insert your catheter through a small access point in your wrist, and you can expect the entire procedure to last between 30 and 45 minutes.

Minimally Invasive vs. Surgical Approach

While not everyone is a candidate for hemorrhoid artery embolization, patients who undergo HAE instead of surgery will enjoy a shorter recovery period with less discomfort. They can also avoid the costs of general anesthesia and overnight hospital stays. And they will find relief from internal hemorrhoids without many of the complications and side effects associated with traditional surgical procedures for hemorrhoids.

Recovery After HAE

Patients will go home on the same day as their procedure, without the need for nursing care or specialized medical instructions. Mild discomfort may be present but can typically be managed with topical medication. Most patients will resume normal activities within a few days of their procedure.

Typical Recovery Timeline

You will go home on the same day as your procedure, but you should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 48 hours. You can resume normal activities within a few days of your procedure, and any discomfort should completely resolve within a few days.

During the first two weeks following your procedure, you will begin to notice some hemorrhoid symptom improvement, with dramatic improvements becoming apparent in the two to six week period following hemorrhoid artery embolization. 

Managing Post-Procedure Discomfort

Following HAE, some patients report mild irritation around the rectal area. You may also experience an urge to pass a bowel movement. Typically, we treat the discomfort with topical lidocaine cream. Symptoms should resolve in just a few days.

When You Can Return to Work and Daily Activities

As stated, most patients will return to work within a few days of their procedure. You will not have restrictions on physical activities after two days.

Is HAE Safe? Potential Risks and Side Effects

This procedure is generally considered safe. The potential risks are relatively low, and side effects are typically mild, resolving on their own within several days.

Common and Rare Complications

Common complications include mild discomfort at the catheter injection site and several days of discomfort surrounding the rectal area. Rarely, patients may experience an allergic reaction to the material used during the procedure.

How Safety Compares to Surgery

Compared to surgery, HAE is much safer and carries no risk of rectal trauma or side effects such as anal incontinence. The procedure is highly effective and delivers lasting results without the extended recovery period associated with surgical treatment.

Life After HAE

Following hemorrhoid artery embolization, patients should experience lasting relief from hemorrhoidal symptoms. However, lifestyle adjustments may be necessary to prevent new hemorrhoidal tissue from forming.

Long-Term Relief and What to Expect

For 95% of patients, HAE delivers relief from hemorrhoids. As the procedure is a relatively new non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment, extensive follow-up data is not yet available, but current data show the effects last for at least one year. 

Preventing Hemorrhoid Recurrence

To reduce your risk for hemorrhoid recurrence, try to adjust your diet and lifestyle, including:

• Eating foods rich in fiber
• Staying hydrated to avoid constipation
• Keeping pressure off your rectum
• Avoiding sitting on the toilet for too long,
• Avoiding straining to pass a bowel movement
• Engaging in regular exercise to help digestion and maintain a healthy weight

Book a Consultation with Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute

Just reach out to our team to make your appointment.

Learn If HAE Is Right for You

We’ll discuss your candidacy when we see you in one of our three locations in Georgia.

If you have hemorrhoids, that means you've developed merely swollen, inflamed vessels either in or around your anal opening. Typically, this is not a major medical concern. At the same time, anal cancer, diverticulitis and other diseases share common symptoms with hemorrhoids. For that reason, some people worry that their hemorrhoids mean cancer has developed. Luckily, we can help you differentiate between each concern with the information highlighted in this post.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms

Hemorrhoids can form outside of your anus (external hemorrhoids), and that may lead to itching, discomfort, and/or swelling.  They can also form inside the anus, causing less pain but leading to other hemorrhoid symptoms such as rectal bleeding, leaking mucus, itching and protruding vessels.

Diverticulitis Symptoms

With diverticulitis, you develop an infection in the diverticula (small pouches that occur naturally in the colon lining.) The infection can cause abdominal distension, pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits; some overlap with hemorrhoid and certain cancer symptoms, occasionally causing confusion.

Anal Cancer Symptoms

Though having hemorrhoids doesn't mean you have cancer, these conditions do have overlapping symptoms. The American Cancer Society notes that anal cancer symptoms can include anal bleeding and abnormal discharge as well as itching around your rectum. Now, while these concerns could also be signs of hemorrhoids, there are additional cancer symptoms that are separate and distinct. These include :

• A lump or mass that forms at the anal opening
• Feelings of fullness or pain in the anal region
• Loss of control over or changes to bowel movements
• Lymph node swelling in the groin or anus

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids & Cancer: When to Seek Intervention

if you're dealing with mild hemorrhoid symptoms, you can probably find relief at home by making simple changes. Try to drink more fluid and eat more fiber to alleviate any constipation and pass bowel movements with greater ease. Even if you are constipated, don't sit on the toilet for too long, and try not to strain when you pass a bowel movement.

Are your symptoms persisting or worsening, even with these lifestyle changes to manage hemorrhoids? Are your experiencing any kind of rectal bleeding? If you answered yes to either question, you should see a doctor right away, to make sure you are dealing with hemorrhoids and not cancer symptoms. Then, if you are diagnosed with internal hemorrhoids you can request a consultation with the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute to discuss your treatment options.

Hemorrhoids (also known as piles) can form in the veins in and around the rectum when they come under pressure. Often, straining to pass a bowel movement is the source of that pressure. So, if you soften your stool, you might need to strain less. And that could take pressure off your rectum. But is it worth it to soften your stool with fiber supplements for hemorrhoids? In this post, we'll explore the benefits of added fiber in your diet.

Can Fiber Supplements Relieve Hemorrhoids?

Fiber supplements for hemorrhoids can help prevent hemorrhoids from forming. They reduce your constipation risk. But even if you already have piles, this study shows that fiber supplementation can provide a 50% reduction in the risk for hemorrhoid symptoms like rectal bleeding. Just be sure to maintain sufficient fluid intake while taking these supplements, or they might not work the way they are intended.

Finding the Best Supplement to Eliminate Hemorrhoids

Most people who begin taking a fiber supplement will turn to something like Metamucil (an OTC psyllium husk fiber product.) Sometimes, this kind of supplement leads to bloating and gas. And if that happens to you, you can look for Benefiber or other wheat dextrin supplements, since they may be easier to digest.

Can Fiber Supplements Shrink Hemorrhoids?

If you have mild, Grade 1 hemorrhoids, adding more fiber to your diet could help resolve your piles. But if you have grade 2, 3 or 4 hemorrhoids, added fiber is unlikely to shrink your swollen vessels. In such cases, you'll likely need a medical procedure to find relief.

How to Shrink Hemorrhoids the Fastest

Treating hemorrhoids with lifestyle measures such as fiber supplements can be a slow process. And grade 2, 3 or 4 hemorrhoids are unlikely to respond to these measures. Thus, if you want to find the fastest way to shrink hemorrhoids, and you wish to avoid surgery, we suggest exploring HAE (hemorrhoid artery embolization) at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute. For more information and to explore your candidacy, you can request your consultation today.

Patients with hemorrhoids may be told to change their diets. Why is that the case? Dietary changes can reduce constipation. And that could eliminate hemorrhoid risk factors such as straining and sitting for too long on the toilet. But what's the best diet to help hemorrhoids? Here's what you need to know.

Diet to Help Hemorrhoids: Embrace Fiber

A high-fiber diet can help manage hemorrhoid symptoms by giving you softer stools. But how much is enough? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, suggests getting 14 grams of fiber per day for every 1,000 calories consumed, meaning you should get at least 28 grams each day if you're following a 2,000-calorie diet. But what foods should you include in that diet? Try adding:

• Pears, prunes, apples and berries
• Squash, peas and collard greens
• Navy, pinto and/or kidney beans
• Whole grains such as shredded wheat and bran

Make sure to also drink lots of water every day, and get plenty of regular exercise. For some patients, these lifestyle changes will be sufficient to prevent or treat mild hemorrhoids. But others will need more help to find relief.

Foods to Skip in a Diet for Hemorrhoids

While you're upping your daily fiber intake, you can also avoid foods that may trigger constipation. Some of the worst offenders include low-fiber items such as:

Low-fiber foods to avoid:

• chips
• cheeses
• hot dogs
• fast food
• meat
• ice cream
• processed snacks
• frozen dinners

When to Ask for Help

Lifestyle changes work well when you're dealing with mild hemorrhoids. But if your condition is more severe, and you experience bleeding when you pass bowel movements, it's time to seek medical intervention.

So, if you don't find relief with a diet to help hemorrhoids, it's time to visit the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute! Our experts perform hemorrhoid artery embolization, a minimally-invasive procedure that relieves hemorrhoids by reducing their blood supply. And, in the process, you can avoid overnight hospital stays, surgery, and many medical complications.Are you ready to discover if you are a candidate for hemorrhoid artery embolization? Click here to request an appointment.