Hemorrhoids are a common issue. In fact, by age 50 about 50% of all people will experience hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins or blood vessels in and around your anus and lower rectum become swollen and irritated. Hemorrhoids are often a result of straining during bowel movements or from having chronic constipation or diarrhea. Many women also get hemorrhoids from pregnancy and childbirth. The pressure of carrying a baby in your abdomen strains the blood vessels in your pelvic area.
Symptoms typically include pain and itching, which can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications. For some people, drinking adequate amounts of water, eating a high fiber diet and taking over-the-counter remedies are enough to treat hemorrhoids. However, it is time to see a doctor when the pain is severe, you experience rectal bleeding, feel a lump or if you are experiencing recurrent hemorrhoids. The surgeon removes these painful swollen veins by making small incisions around the anus. It is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day.
Treating Hernias
People of all ages can develop hernias. A hernia is when an internal organ or tissue bulges through an abnormal opening in the body, such as a hole or weakness in the abdominal wall. Hernias can occur at various parts of your body but are commonly found in the navel, the groin, or anywhere you have had a surgical incision. Often the hernia creates a bulge you can see and feel. Hernias are generally painful and can sometimes damage your internal organs.
Some hernias are present at birth; others develop slowly over a period of months or years. Hernias can also come on quite suddenly. Experiencing an unusual or painful bulge in the affected area is the most commonly reported symptom. Some patients also report discomfort in the abdomen and swelling in the groin that worsens with activity. Though, you could have more subtle symptoms as well – including dull aches and pains. Hernia surgery is often relatively low-risk. Many hernias require the placement of mesh in order to reinforce the weakness in the abdominal wall, which lessons the chance for the hernia to come back.
Treating Gallbladder Issues
If you suffer from pain in the upper right or upper middle part of your stomach after eating it could be your gallbladder causing the issue. The gallbladder is located under the liver, which stores and collects bile produced in the liver. When your gallbladder is acting up, you will experience pain when eating foods, particularly fatty foods.
Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes and a bloated belly. One reason for having a gallbladder removed is the presence of gallstones. They can be as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Gallbladder removal is a common surgery and is performed using general anesthesia.
Preventing Colon Cancer
If you are age 50 or over, regular colon cancer screenings can save your life. A general surgeon uses a procedure called a colonoscopy to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). A colonoscopy helps find ulcers, colon polyps, tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. When colon cancer is found early, there is a 90% chance for a cure. The American Cancer Society recommends both men and women of average risk of colorectal cancer should begin receiving a colonoscopy every 10 years at age 50. The General Surgeons at Evanston Regional Hospital can discuss your own health and family history so that you can choose the best screening plan for you. Evanston Regional Hospital has a dedicated room in our operating suite for colonoscopies and other endoscopies such as EGDs.