Think you might have Hemorrhoids or are suffering from Fecal Incontinence?
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What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen or bulging veins located in your lower rectum and around your anus. Those who suffer from hemorrhoids experience extreme pain and oftentimes rectal bleeding.
The two main categories of hemorrhoids are internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are located far enough inside the rectum that they are much harder to disturb, and thusly do not generally cause pain. External hemorrhoids, however, are found just under the skin surrounding the anus and can come into contact with outside surfaces, causing intense pain and even bleeding.
Hemorrhoids can become enlarged, or “prolapse”, causing them to become visible as pinkish bumps. Bulging hemorrhoids complicate bowel movements by causing pain.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
It’s difficult to nail down the exact causes of hemorrhoids. If your family has a history of hemorrhoids you are more likely to experience them yourself.
Adding extra weight, whether permanent or temporary, can restrict blood flow and cause your veins to swell. Another way hemorrhoids can form is by straining during bowel movements or intense physical activity.
How Are Hemorrhoids Treated?
At Digestive Care Center, we take the treatment of hemorrhoids very seriously. We understand that living with the pain caused by hemorrhoids can be extremely unpleasant and work closely with our patients to ensure they live as pain free as possible.
We utilize the CRH O’Regan System in the treatment of hemorrhoids. This system serves as a painless and lasting solution to those suffering from the extreme discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. One aspect of the CRH O’Regan System that we value is its less-invasive nature. It takes only a few minutes and does not result in any additional pain; it doesn’t even require preparation or sedation!
The CRH O’Regan System uses very gentle suction on individual hemorrhoids, limiting their growth and causing them to eventually lessen in size within a few days.
Fecal Incontinence Clinic at Digestive Care Center
The Fecal Incontinence Clinic at Digestive Care Center is here to help alleviate the symptoms of chronic bowel incontinence in patients who have not had success with more conservative treatments — or who may not be candidates for these options. Our dedicated team of experts have developed a proven protocol to successfully diagnose and treat fecal incontinence.
Dr. Aaron Pugh is the Director of our Fecal Incontinence Clinic. A board-certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Pugh specializes in helping patients successfully overcome bowel incontinence and improve their quality of life through focused expertise and advanced treatment options — delivered by the multidisciplinary team of experts at Digestive Care Center.
Better Control for Better Living
18 million Americans suffer from bowel incontinence
Which means you are not alone.
Bowel incontinence (inability to control the bowel) is a common problem. And while this medical condition is more common in adults, especially women — people of any age can struggle with bowel control. Social stigma and embarrassment may cause patients to delay discussing bowel control issues with their doctor, but patients are often surprised to learn their problems are caused by an underlying — and often treatable — medical condition.
Treating Fecal Incontinence
Better treatment of fecal incontinence comes from a better understanding of the three different types:
- Urge Incontinence: A patient feels the urge to have a bowel movement but is unable to make it to the bathroom in time.
- Passive Incontinence: This type of incontinence involves the involuntary passage of stool without the patient being aware until after it has occurred.
- Rectal Seepage: Similar to passive incontinence, this type of incontinence occurs in lesser amounts.
Your physician will work with you to understand your type of incontinence and determine the best method of treatment, which may include:
- Anti-Motility Medications
- Muscle Strengthening Exercises
- Sacral Nerve Stimulation (InterStim Therapy)
- Biofeedback
- Non-Surgical Gel Injections (Solesta)
- Surgical Treatment, including Muscle Repair
- Artificial Anal Sphincter
With the help of our team.
Living with a bowel control problem isn’t easy. Besides the embarrassment these problems can cause, their effect on a patient’s quality of life can be debilitating. When patients can’t find an effective long-term treatment, it’s hard to stop worrying about when the next accident might happen. At Digestive Care Center’s Fecal Incontinence Clinic, we remain committed to helping patients gain control of their lives by finding solutions that work — solutions that will improve our patients’ lives for good.
And For the Better.