Last Updated on May 24, 2023 by Nurse Vicky

How to treat hemorrhoids 6 things to know

 Hemorrhoids: Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in the anus and rectum. They can be caused by increased pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal area, such as from straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, and obesity.

Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and cause a range of symptoms, including itching, pain, bleeding, and even a prolapse, where a hemorrhoid protrudes from the anus.

Fortunately, there are many ways to treat hemorrhoids, and many of these treatments can be done at home. In this article, we will discuss the most effective ways to treat hemorrhoids and how to prevent them from recurring.

Prevention of hemorrhoids and the use of conservative treatment Outpatient treatments Surgical removal of hemorrhoids There are numerous treatments and therapies available for hemorrhoids.

There are three primary types of treatments available for hemorrhoids, and they are as follows: treatments that are both preventative and conservative treatments that don’t require hospitalization therapies based on surgical procedures.

The features of the condition and the degree to which it has progressed are two factors that influence which treatment option is the most appropriate for addressing hemorrhoids’ symptoms and root causes.

Prevention of hemorrhoids and the use of conservative treatment Diet and lifestyle Modifying your lifestyle, your hygiene routine, and the foods you eat can be helpful in preventing hemorrhoids. During the disease’s early stages, these have also shown to be effective in treating it. Please find below some helpful measures that can either alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids in cases

when they are only minor or avoid their formation altogether:

Maintaining regular intestinal function and keeping feces soft and hydrated can assist lessen the amount of effort required during defecation and can also cut down on the amount of time needed for the process.

It is essential to take a large quantity of the dietary fibers that may be found in fruit, vegetables, legumes, and cereals, as well as in dietary supplements, in order to do this.

In addition to that, you need to ensure that you are getting enough water throughout the day (at least 1.5 liters). Regular exercise can improve the function of the intestines and help prevent constipation if it is performed regularly.

It is important to practice good hygiene in intimate regions by making use of certain products in order to lower the likelihood of developing local infections.

Medical treatment: local and systemic administration In the early stages of hemorrhoids, when only mild symptoms are present, topical remedies like creams, ointments, and lotions can help alleviate the discomfort and anguish that are associated with the condition.

There is a wide variety of creams, ointments, and lotions that may be purchased to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoid illness.

Some of these products include ointments and creams that are both emollient and relaxing. topical pharmaceutical preparations containing anesthetics (lidocaine) — the usage of these is to reduce pain, and while they are effective, they are often only suggested for short periods of time because they can create local hypersensitivity.

topical pharmaceutical products containing cortisone have the purpose of reducing inflammation, burning, and local irritation. These preparations should only be used for brief periods of time.

Supplements that are based on bioflavonoids, such as diosmin, troxerutin, and hesperidin, can assist in the improvement of venous microcirculation and the reduction of local swelling and inflammation Outpatient treatments During the early stages of the condition when symptoms are more noticeable, it is preferable to receive therapy outside of a hospital setting.

These therapies target the hemorrhoidal cushion and work toward the goal of reducing the increased blood flow that is producing congestion in the affected area. However, it is common for these therapies to require more than one session.

The following categories make up the majority of outpatient procedures: a treatment known as rubber band ligation is one of the most popular outpatient operations performed.

It includes placing a small elastic rubber ring at the base of the hemorrhoidal cushion in order to cut off the blood supply to the symptomatic portion of the hemorrhoids. This causes the hemorrhoidal tissue to necrotize and fall off after a few days.

Possible consequences include slight discomfort in the treated area, which has a tendency to resolve on its own; pain following ligation in the case of inappropriate positioning of the rubber band; bleeding; and hemorrhoid thrombosis.

All of these issues tend to go away on their own. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical substance that causes tissue to necrotize and fall, hence reducing blood flow and the volume of the hemorrhoidal cushions.

This is accomplished through sclerotherapy.

Mild bleeding and brief discomfort in the anorectal region are two of the potential concerns that could arise in the days following treatment. Cryotherapy is one of the outpatient therapies that is utilized the least frequently.

It involves the application of low temperatures to destroy the congested tissue, which ultimately contributes to a reduction in the size of the hemorrhoidal cushions. After therapy, edema, bleeding, and infections are all potential problems that could arise.

There are also additional outpatient treatments that are performed less often and make use of different technology, but they have comparable risks of complications and a high incidence of illness recurrence:

infrared photocoagulation: infrared photocoagulation involves the use of infrared rays to overheat the haemorrhoidal cushions, which then trigger a coagulation process that reduces the amount of blood flowing through the affected area. Additionally, in this scenario, the hemorrhoid cushion rots away, and a scar develops at the base of the hemorrhoid.

In most cases, the operation will cost a lot of money, and some of the potential dangers include intense pain and bleeding. In addition, there are not a lot of clinical trials available, and the ones that are available only follow patients for a limited period of time. hemorrhoids.

This procedure is performed under the guidance of a Doppler probe, which identifies arteries in the body. Experiencing discomfort and bleeding are two potential consequences. There is a lack of sufficient clinical evidence about the effectiveness of the treatment and the short-term follow-up.

radiofrequency coagulation: radiofrequency coagulation prevents blood from flowing to the hemorrhoidal cushions, which results in necrosis of those cushions. Experiencing discomfort and bleeding are two potential consequences. There haven’t been many cases of this method tested in clinical settings.

Electrocoagulation: The process of electrocoagulation involves generating thrombosis in the blood arteries that deliver blood to the hemorrhoidal cushions in order to diminish the volume of the cushions. According to the reports in the scholarly literature, this operation can be uncomfortable and may result in bleeding.

Surgery for a hemorrhoid obstruction

When non-hospital outpatient procedures are not considered to be beneficial or are unsuccessful, the practitioner may recommend that the patient undergo surgical operations instead. Milligan-Morgan and Ferguson are two of the most used surgical procedures for hemorrhoidectomy.

The removal of haemorrhoidal cushions is the primary focus of the haemorrhoidectomy procedure, which is the traditional name for this type of surgery. Techniques such as the Milligan-Morgan and Ferguson procedures are examples of common traditional surgical therapies.

The Milligan-Morgan approach involves the wounds being left open by the surgeon, who then allows the wounds to heal on their own without any intervention. In order to effectively seal wounds with the Ferguson approach, the surgeon will make use of a continuous suture.

If they are carried out correctly, these strategies frequently produce the desired results. Incontinence of feces, severe bleeding, and narrowing of the ano-pharyngeal canal are examples of complications that are uncommon but potentially life-threatening.

In addition, haemorrhoidectomy is known to cause extreme agony, which often leads patients to decide against undergoing surgery. The sores are the source of the discomfort, and they are more painful when bowel movements are taking place.

Haemorrhoidectomy using Staples or Clips

The first surgical procedure to cure the problem of haemorrhoidal prolapse without the removal of hemorrhoids was called stapled haemorrhoidopexy, and it was performed with surgical staples.

In this procedure, a circular suturing device, also known as a staple, is used to cut a portion of the rectum and then relocate the hemorrhoids to the area where they were originally located.

This method does not include the removal of hemorrhoids, but in a sizeable portion of patients, major complications may develop as a result of the procedure.

Post-operative bleeding, urgent defecation, intense and prolonged rectal-anal discomfort, and, in certain instances, perforation of the rectum are among the most prevalent problems that can arise. As stated in the aforementioned published text The THD Doppler Method is a form of hemorrhoid surgery that is less invasive.

The THD Doppler procedure is a surgical therapy for hemorrhoids that is minimally invasive, does not involve excision, and is a non-excisional technique.

This treatment does not entail the removal of the hemorrhoids; rather, it consists of the placement of internal stitches in locations that are not painful. These sutures relocate the hemorrhoids to their natural position and minimize the extra blood flow that is directed toward the hemorrhoids.

The operation is carried out by the surgeon with the assistance of a specialized anoscope and a Doppler probe. With the use of the Doppler signal, the surgeon is able to pinpoint the arterial vessels that are causing the hemorrhoids and ligate them.

In the event that prolapse is present, the surgeon will, following ligation, perform a mastopexy, which refers to the repositioning of the mucosa in its initial position. Please see the page dedicated to the THD Doppler Method for further details regarding this treatment.