While the pain and irritation of hemorrhoids may be significant and intense, many people put off going to a doctor because of they fear they will be subjected to the even more painful hemorrhoid treatment options of the past.
Traditionally, surgery to completely remove the hemorrhoid, known as a hemorrhoidectomy, was the only option. This was particularly the case if a blood clot had formed in the hemorrhoid under the skin of an external hemorrhoid, which can create sharp, shooting pain that is unbelievably difficult to manage without removal.
The Old Treatment
The traditional painful surgical hemorrhoid treatment starts with an outpatient surgical procedure; although in some cases the patient may be required to stay in the hospital. Most commonly general anesthesia is used and the patient will be on pain medication for several days. A small incision is made to the upper part of the hemorrhoid and the vein is removed and the incision is closed.
Typically most patients have restricted work, movement, and lifting for one to weeks before returning to work and normal activities. It is a painful hemorrhoid treatment but it can be highly effective.
The Newer Treatments
Patients now have several choices besides painful surgical hemorrhoid treatment. Hemorrhoids can be stapled into place, which is somewhat painful but tends to have a good record in preventing the return of the condition.
Banding is also common and includes cutting off the blood supply to the swollen vein by attaching a rubber band around the top. However, while not considered a painful hemorrhoid treatment it does take two to four procedures over a period of up to two months for full treatment.
The Newest Treatment
A more recently developed option is the use short pulses of a warm, infrared light to the area just above the hemorrhoid. This, in effect, coagulates or clots the blood in the vein, preventing additional swelling. Unlike the traditional painful hemorrhoid treatment, Infrared Coagulation (IRC) is a pain free method that is highly effective.
Patients using this alternative to a painful hemorrhoid treatment will have a set number of treatments to fully coagulate the vein. Each treatment lasts about 10 minutes and requires no anesthesia, pain medications afterwards and no lost work time in recovery.
