What are Hemorrhoids?

 

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your lower rectum or anus. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include ache or pain (especially while sitting or during bowel movements), anal itching, bright red blood (on toilet tissue, in toilet bowel, or stool), lump or protrusion near anus.

 

Hemorrhoids Procedure

 

Principle

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1. In this procedure we place a latex band around the neck of the hemorrhoid, then freeze the hemorrhoids with a special cold probe (cryotherapy) all the way around the anus. The rubber band will come out on its with your bowel movements. The hemorrhoids will gradually shrink following the procedure.

2. Since internal hemorrhoids originate inside the rectum where there are no pain nerves, the procedure does not usually require sedation or freezing, and most patients tolerate it well.

3. You may have some discomfort, irritation, or burning from the raw surface for a few days until it heals over. Please avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several days.

4. You may need several visits to complete the treatment – depending on the size and severity of your hemorrhoids. You may also need a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy to make sure there is no problem up higher causing your symptoms.

5. All patients with hemorrhoids can be treated this way. In-hospital surgery is a lot more invasive, very painful, and is out of date.

 

Advantages
 

• No hospitalization, no anesthesia, no time off work, no severe pain and no prolonged recovery

• This procedure has much fewer serious complications than surgery (such as severe bleeding, infection, narrowing of anus, and problems with bowel movements control)

• Early recurrence rate is reduced to about 5% with this method. Hemorrhoids may recur if you have constipation, straining, and hard stools

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Precautions

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1. Avoiding constipation and straining is VERY important. If you have this tendency add fiber and water to your diet.

2. Minor bleeding and spotting may occur after your treatment. The bleeding is usually present in small amounts and stops on its own. Also, you may continue having periodic bleeding from your other hemorrhoids. If the bleeding does not stop or is present in large amounts, or you are feeling ill or unwell, you must go to the nearest hospital immediately.

3. Minor discomfort, burning, irritation and raw sensation are fairly common. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods (including pepper, onion, and garlic), and use a hemorrhoid cream (such as Preparation H or Anusol) and Sitz Baths (with Epsom Salts) if needed.

4. Another Hemorrhoid sometimes acts up after a hemorrhoid treatment. Try to push any hemorrhoid that comes out back in.