Did New Year's Leave you with Hemorrhoid Symptoms?

After months of indulgence over the holidays, many people are ringing in the new year with new hemorrhoid symptoms. These are caused by bulging blood vessels that form lumps in or outside the anus. Unfortunately many start a new year with this problem because of the changes in their routine throughout the holiday season. So, to help you avoid such issues, we're taking a deep dive into the world of hemorrhoids and holiday triggers. Let's dive in!

Why Do You Get Hemorrhoids?

Risk factors for hemorrhoids include constipation; straining to pass bowel movements; spending too long sitting on the toilet or on an airplane; lifting heavy items, and carrying a pregnancy. And, while these risk factors can pose a threat at any time of year, they are more pressing during the holidays.

Why? From Thanksgiving until New Years, people are prone to overeating, indulging in hard-to-digest treats like alcohol, meat, cheese, and sweets. Unfortunately, that leaves less room for fiber filled favorites like vegetables and fruits, increasing our likelihood for constipation. Add in hours spent sitting in a plane or car while traveling for the holidays, and your hemorrhoid risk will skyrocket. In fact, cases of new hemorrhoid diagnoses rise by about 30% in the initial weeks of any New Year. Could you be about to join those ranks? Here's what you should be on the lookout for as the December 31st approaches.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms That Indicate a Problem

Common hemmorhoid symptoms include pain, itching or lumps in or around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids may bleed, so you might notice blood in the toilet after passing a bowel movement.  Mucus may also be present, on your toilet paper or in your underwear. And you could still feel the need to go to the bathroom after passing a bowel movemement.

Finding Relief with Hemorrhoid Treatment

Mild hemmorhoid symptoms can be relieved with topical creams and by making lifestyle changes like drinking more water, eating more fiber, and reducing the time you spend sitting, especially in the bathroom.

But when symtoms are persistent and moderate to severe, medical treatment will provide a pathway to relief. So, if you want to stop the itching, bleeding and pain of internal hemorrhoids, click here to request an appointment[/tx-app-link]at the Texas Hemorrhoid Institute, so you can start exploring minimally invasive treatment options like Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization.