BY DEAN PAPPAS M.D.
Hemorrhoids can be an irritating and uncomfortable condition affecting the area around the anus. But what many patients don’t realize is that hemorrhoids are a vascular structures that are located within and around the anus.
It is only when these tissues become inflamed or irritated that they begin to cause issues. Hemorrhoids can be quite painful, and can cause a number of other symptoms, including itching and bleeding.
At Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, our doctors offer hemorrhoid treatment to calm irritated tissues and relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. In most cases, hemorrhoids respond well to non-invasive treatment methods, but when necessary, our doctors do offer surgical intervention.
Here we go over the non-surgical and surgical hemorrhoid treatments offered at our Long Island, NY practice.
Non-surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment
There are homeopathic remedies that can help relieve mild hemorrhoid symptoms. Patients can take warm baths, apply warm compresses to the area, and make dietary changes that can soften the stool so that further irritation does not develop. If these treatments do not work, patients can seek further treatment at our practice.
Mild to moderate cases of hemorrhoids tend to respond well to non-surgical treatment methods. Our doctors may recommend non-surgical medical treatment options, such as:
- Special creams or lotions
- Medicated wipes
- Suppositories
- Steroids
- Pain medication
Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment
If hemorrhoids have failed to respond to non-surgical treatment methods, we may suggest surgical treatment. We offer a number of surgical hemorrhoid treatments that are minimally invasive, yet still extremely effective.
Some of the minimally invasive surgical options available to patients include:
- Injection sclerotherapy: During this procedure, medication is injected directly into the veins. This causes the veins to shrink and stick together, which should relieve inflammation and irritation.
- Infrared coagulation: During this procedure, a heating tool is applied to hemorrhoid tissues. This causes the formation of scar tissue, which will block the blood supply so that hemorrhoids shrink and stop bleeding.
- Hemorrhoidal ligation: During this procedure, rubber bands are wrapped around specific veins to cut off the blood supply to internal hemorrhoids. Without a supply of blood, internal hemorrhoids should shrink significantly.
The majority of patients respond well to one of these minimally invasive surgical procedures. Often, the patient notices an immediate improvement in hemorrhoid symptoms, but the condition nearly always clears up within a week or two of treatment.
In the rare case in which hemorrhoids continue to persist, our doctors can perform a hemorrhoidectomy. During this procedure, the swollen veins within the hemorrhoid are tied off, and the hemorrhoid is surgically removed.
The anal area is likely to be sore for two to four weeks after this procedure, but it will effectively alleviate hemorrhoid symptoms.
Get In Touch
At Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, we offer the discreet and professional treatment of a wide range of colorectal conditions. If you would like to learn more about hemorrhoid treatments, and which may be most effective for you, get in touch with our team of experienced doctors.
