Hemorrhoids are certainly not an uncommon issue and, in fact, about half of all adults will experience problems with hemorrhoids after their fiftieth birthday. They are also very common in pregnant women of all ages. While common, many people still don’t realize that there are highly effective treatment options to stop the pain and irritation of this condition.
Types of Hemorrhoids
There are two different types of hemorrhoids that are problematic. Internal hemorrhoids occur within the lower rectum above what is known as the dentate line or the pectinate line. This is an area that indicates the lower third of the anal canal from the upper two thirds. When hemorrhoids, or swelling of the blood vessels, occur in the upper two thirds of the anal canal they are classified as internal.
Internal hemorrhoids typically are not painful as there are no specific pain sensing nerve endings in this part of the digestive system. However, in some situations, the swelling may actually cause the veins to drop down and out the anus, a condition known as a prolapse.
The second type of hemorrhoid is the external hemorrhoid. These are located below the dentate line and may also be noted as swollen, painful, irritated or itchy bumps around the anal area external to the body.
Immediate Treatment Options
With the discomfort and pain of external and thrombosed hemorrhoids immediate treatment is important. Depending on the type of hemorrhoid and the amount of swelling or possible risk, your doctor may recommend different treatment options.
For thrombosed hemorrhoids a surgical procedure known as excision is used. This is a very simple procedure that is done on an outpatient basis and involves a small incision that is made in the swollen vein to release the clot and reduce the swelling. The vein will naturally decrease in size and return to the normal position.
There is no down time or recovery time for patients after the procedure. However, typically doctors will recommend lifestyle and dietary changes that can help to reduce the risk of developing hemorrhoids in the future.
Infrared Coagulation
For internal hemorrhoids there is also a treatment that is non-invasive and not as painful as traditional options. It is called Infrared Coagulation and uses pulses of a specially designed laser to coagulate the blood in the swollen vessel and allow it to be naturally absorbed by the body.
With different treatment options for painful hemorrhoids there is no longer any need to suffer. All you need to do is schedule an appointment with a specialist to get the relief that you have been hoping for.
To learn more about treatment options to get rid of hemorrhoid pain visit us online. More information can be found at www.chicagohemorrhoid.com.
