What is a hemorrhoid?
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins. Hemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding and may be marked by pain or itching. If untreated, internal hemorrhoids can worsen, protruding from the anus.
Causes
Nearly three out of four adults will have hemorrhoids from time to time. Hemorrhoids have a number of causes, but often the cause is unknown.
The veins around your anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to:
- straining during bowel movements
- sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
- chronic diarrhea or constipation
- obesity
- pregnancy, when your growing uterus presses on your veins
- anal intercourse
- a low-fiber diet
- regular heavy lifting
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids usually depend on the type of hemorrhoid.
External hemorrhoids
These are under the skin around your anus. Signs and symptoms might include:
- Itching or irritation in your anal region
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling around your anus
- Bleeding
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You usually can’t see or feel them, and they rarely cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can cause:
- Painless bleeding during bowel movements. You might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet.
- Hemorrhoid to push through the anal opening (prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoid), resulting in pain and irritation.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids
If blood pools in external hemorrhoid and forms a clot (thrombus), it can result in:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Inflammation
- A hard lump near your anus
Treatment
Treatment of hemorrhoids involves a change of diet to prevent constipation and avoid further irritation, the use of topical medication, and sometimes surgery. Depending on the symptoms and severity of the hemorrhoids several treatments are available.
How we treat it
At the Regenerative Healing Center, we utilize the latest technology. We have chosen a modern system that was developed to offer a safe and effective, minimally invasive technique to treat internal hemorrhoids with little or no post-operative pain, and immediate return to normal daily activities.
We use a safe, well-established radiofrequency technology, to treat all grades of internal hemorrhoids.
The area around the hemorrhoid is anaesthetized to avoid any discomfort. Radiofrequency energy is then applied to the hemorrhoid, reducing the blood flow to it, causing it to shrink and eventually disappear. Its effect is to reduce the symptoms to a normal level and to remove hemorrhoids.
Our procedure is quick and generally carried out under local anesthesia and/or in an outpatient setting, allowing patients to walk in and walk out.