Many cases of hemorrhoids have been cured with a couple of home and natural remedies such as a sitz bath, medicated creams and gels, fiber diet, exercise and even painkillers.
However, hemorrhoid conditions can vary in their severity and when a case doesn't respond to conventional treatment, a hemorrhoidal surgery may just be what the doctor ordered.
A hemorrhoid is a swollen anal vein.
It can either be internal or external.
Internal hemorrhoids are not easily detected by the patient until they are pushed out of the anus and bleed.
External hemorrhoids are found in the outer anus.
These pea-sized lumps have turned dark as a result of blood clotting.
Each type of hemorrhoids has the potential to turn severe and cause excruciating pain especially when it is left untreated.
Who needs hemorrhoidal surgery? A hemorrhoidal surgery, although classified as a minor type of surgery, is not recommended to any patient who simply wants to have permanent relief from hemorrhoids.
It is only advisable in cases of very large, painful and sometimes bleeding hemorrhoids.
What are the different surgeries for hemorrhoids? A most common surgical procedure in removing hemorrhoids is called the Hemorrhoidectomy.
This is a minor procedure that doesn't need overnight admittance in the hospital.
In this process, the patient can either be given a local or general anesthesia.
The local anesthesia does not put the patient to sleep, but the general anesthesia does.
This procedure is done to cut or remove the swollen parts of the veins.
The doctor will make cuts and incisions while performing the operation and finish it off with a bandage.
The patient can immediately go home after the operation.
Hemorrhoidal surgery can be in many forms.
Other procedures are: - The Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH): This type of hemorrhoidal surgery is performed in the event of a prolapse or when the anal tissues have slipped out of the canal.
A device is used to cut-off the flow of blood.
Without blood, the hemorrhoid is deprived from the nutrients that is helping it grow thus resulting it shrink and eventually die.
- Laser or Infrared Coagulation: Exposing the swollen tissues to direct infrared light and burning them in the process.
- Sclerotherapy: Injecting a chemical solution or a thickening agent into the inflamed blood vessel to shrink and kill it.
This method is well-tolerated by most patients because less discomfort is felt after the operation.
It also holds the highest success rate.
Hemorrhoidal surgery may be the ultimate solution to end pain associated with hemorrhoids, but the pain doesn't end when you leave the operating room.
A whole lot of pain can be felt once the anesthesia wears off and you still have a good 8 to 10 days of recuperation.
It also poses a high risk for bleeding and recurrence if one is not too careful.
If you are suffering from chronic hemorrhoids, hemorrhoidal surgery is a valid option.
But before you validate your decision, make a thorough research about it and always follow the medical advice of your doctor.