Hemorrhoid Treatment and Prevention

Recognizing, Treating and Preventing Hemorrhoids

Sep 8, 2008 Lori L. Board

Below are some tips on treating those embarrassing, bothersome and painful hemorrhoids.

Before you assume you have hemorrhoids, be sure you see a doctor for a diagnosis. “Oftentimes,” states Dr. Michael Morris, General Surgeon, “patients pay a visit to the office with complaints of hemorrhoids, when examination may reveal something just as painful; fissures (small tears in the wall of the anus).” Treatment for fissures is quite different, so getting a proper diagnosis is key.

According to Ethicon Endo-surgery, there are four classifications for hemorrhoids:

• 1st Degree: No Rectal Prolapse. Treatments recommended are diet (fiber), creams, sclerotherapy and/or infrared coagulation.
• 2nd Degree: Rectal Prolapse Corrects Spontaneously. Treatments include sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation and PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids).
• 3rd Degree: Manually Reducible Rectal Prolapse – Treatments include banding, hemorrhoidectomy and PPH.
• 4th Degree: Non-reducible Rectal Prolapse – Hemorrhoidectomy and PPH.

Early diagnosis of hemorrhoids is important and much easier to treat. Typical symptoms of internal hemorrhoids, (1st Degree), are painless rectal bleeding, blood on the stool or toilet paper. If the hemorrhoid becomes too large, it may extend beyond the anal wall to outside the body, where it can be felt, but sometimes corrects itself. This is called an external hemorrhoid (2nd Degree). Symptoms are anal itching, burning, throbbing and/or bleeding. Many times, once an external hemorrhoid can be felt by touching, it can gently be pushed back into the rectum (3rd Degree). On occasion, blood clots form in the veins and can become painful, trapping the hemorrhoid outside the rectum. This is a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Left untreated and in severe cases, they can block the passage of stool. The severely thrombosed (4th Degree) hemorrhoid requires surgical treatment by a medical professional.

Treatment of hemorrhoids can include something as simple as a topical cream or foam to surgical intervention. Dr. Morris has often had his patients use an anti-inflammatory cream, such as Anamantle HC, which can be prescribed by your doctor. In more severe cases involving internal hemorrhoids, he prefers performing hemorrhoidal banding. Dr. Morris explains, “Banding, or PPH Procedure, is the banding of bulging veins in an area of the rectum where there are no nerves, thereby making a much more comfortable procedure for the patient, and a far less painful recovery.”

External thrombosed hemorrhoids can often be treated in the office by lancing the thrombosed vein. The area is numbed and the vein sliced. Relief is immediate, and follow-up simply requires home care and one or two more office visits to make sure things are healing well. In extreme cases, where office procedures are not safe for the patient, surgical hemorrhoidectomy (removal of the hemorrhoid) may be required.

Preventing hemorrhoids is relatively simple. Drink plenty of water, eat a healthy, fiber-filled diet, get daily exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Respond to the urge of a bowel movement as soon as you get it. Use stool softeners, if necessary. Allow the body to do the work – don’t push too hard. And finally, keep the anal area clean; use soft toilet paper. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The copyright of the article Hemorrhoid Treatment and Prevention in General Medicine is owned by Lori L. Board. Permission to republish Hemorrhoid Treatment and Prevention in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Hemorrhoids