Are you dealing with the itching, burning, and pain of hemorrhoids? If yes, you’re not alone. This condition affects millions of people each year. The good news is that several treatments are available to help alleviate symptoms.
Here are the benefits and risks of some of the most popular hemorrhoid treatments.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the anus or rectum. They can cause pain, itching, and bleeding. They are usually caused by straining during bowel movements.
Other risk factors for the increased pressure on the veins in the rectal area include:
- Pregnancy
- Advanced age
- Constipation
- Having loose stools daily for at least four weeks
- Internal rectal prolapse, where the rectum begins to drop but has not yet protruded through the anus
How Are Hemorrhoids Treated?
Treatment options vary, depending on the type of hemorrhoid and its severity.
Conservative Measures
Doctors usually recommend simple treatments for most people with mild to moderate hemorrhoids. This help reduces symptoms and prevents the condition from getting worse.
These treatments include:
- Taking Sitz baths, a warm, shallow bath that you sit in to help ease discomfort
- Eating a high-fiber diet
- Drinking enough fluids
- Using stool softeners
- Using over-the-counter creams and ointments to help relieve pain and swelling
- Maintaining good hygiene
- Avoiding straining during bowel movements
- Changing bathroom habits to prevent constipation
In addition, a particular type of medication called phlebotonics might be beneficial in treating hemorrhoids.
Non-Surgical, Office-Based Procedures
There are many ways to treat persistent internal hemorrhoids without surgery. Some of these methods include:
- Hemorrhoid ligation
- Infrared coagulation
- Injection sclerotherapy
- Bipolar diathermy
- Cryotherapy
These techniques work by destroying the hemorrhoids directly through various strategies. Hemorrhoid ligation is the most-used treatment and is the standard and benchmark for other remedies.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical interventions for hemorrhoids help with more severe cases that do not respond to non-surgical treatments.
It’s worth noting that surgical options have risks and benefits. Discuss with your doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case.
Risks Of Hemorrhoid Treatment
The risks of non-surgical treatments, such as hemorrhoid ligation, are generally considered to be low but can include the following:
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Infection
Rare complications could include a condition called necrotizing pelvic sepsis. This serious infection comes with severe pain, fever, and difficulty emptying the bladder. It usually occurs one or two weeks after the procedure, often in people with weakened immune systems. Immediate surgery is necessary to remove the infected tissue.
There is also a possibility of experiencing significant pain, especially with surgical treatment. The pain may require over-the-counter medications and painkillers. Other rare complications include the loss of bowel or urinary control and difficulty with bowel movements.
If you don’t make lifestyle changes, the results of treatment for hemorrhoids may not be satisfactory. Even surgery does not always guarantee a positive outcome.
Benefits Of Hemorrhoid Treatment
Several non-surgical treatments for hemorrhoids do not require hospitalization or general anesthesia. Your doctor can perform these procedures in their office or clinic, and you can go home the same day. You can return to normal activities soon after the procedure.
Compared to other options, hemorrhoid ligation can control rectal bleeding and other symptoms with fewer treatments. The procedure is also usually not very painful. It does not even require local anesthesia, and post-procedure pain is also minimal. This method is cost-effective, with a low complication rate.
If you need more convincing before consulting a gastroenterologist, these are some more benefits:
Relief Of Symptoms
The interventions can relieve pain, itching, and rectal bleeding.
Shrinking Of Hemorrhoids
Various options are available to shrink internal hemorrhoids. Reducing their size decreases the tendency to produce bothersome symptoms.
Prevention Of Complications
Remedies can prevent complications such as bleeding, infection, and tissue death.
Preservation Of Anal Function
Interventions can help preserve normal anal function, such as bowel movements. If done early, it can also prevent incontinence.
Receiving treatment is cost-effective in the long term, as the untreated condition can lead to more severe complications. Worse conditions will require more invasive therapies.
Improved Quality of Life
Hemorrhoids are a leading cause of outpatient visits for gastrointestinal issues. They affect about 3.3 million people in the United States.
Though not life-threatening, hemorrhoids can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Treatment can improve your condition by reducing symptoms and allowing you to return to normal activities.
Furthermore, your doctor can customize your hemorrhoid treatment options to your specific needs and preferences.
Hemorrhoid ligation and these other methods for treatment are generally effective when a trained and experienced healthcare professional performs them.
Hemorrhoid Treatment In California
Several treatment options, such as lifestyle changes, medications, and procedures like hemorrhoidectomy, are available for hemorrhoids. The benefits of treatment include relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of future hemorrhoids. Rare complications include infection, bleeding, and pain. It is crucial to weigh these risks before embarking on any course of treatment.
At inSite Digestive Health Care, our highly qualified, board-certified gastroenterologists will work with you to determine the best action. We have multiple locations across California. With extensive experience in all areas of digestive health, every GI specialist we have is committed to your health. To know more or to schedule an in-office consultation, call our GI clinic near you or request your visit online.
We look forward to helping you find the best treatment options for your hemorrhoids and achieve optimal wellness.
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