Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins of the anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids may result from straining during bowel movements or increased pressure on the veins during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids often cause painless bleeding during bowel movements, itching or irritation of the anus, swelling around the anus, leakage of feces and pain or discomfort. Hemorrhoids may protrude from the anus. Treatment of hemorrhoids ranges from non-invasive medications to surgical interventions.
Medications
When hemorrhoids produce minimal discomfort, physicians may choose to treat hemorrhoids with over-the-counter creams, ointments, suppositories or pads. According to the MayoClinic.com, these medications include products such as witch hazel and hydrocortisone that relieve pain and itching as well as reduce inflammation. Overuse of the products may cause skin rash and inflammation.
Rubber Band Ligation
A rubber band ligation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat persistently painful or bleeding hemorrhoids. During a rubber band ligation, a physician will place two tiny rubber bands around the base of an internal hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood supply.
Without the necessary blood circulation, the hemorrhoid will atrophy and fall off. The MayoClinic.com reports that patients often find hemorrhoid banding uncomfortable and may notice minor bleeding beginning two to four days after the procedure.
Laser Therapy
Laser, or coagulation, therapy uses laser or infrared light to cause bleeding internal hemorrhoids to harden and wither. Laser therapy has less risk than a rubber band ligation but a greater chance of recurrence after treatment. Patients should discuss the choices with physicians to find the best option for their hemorrhoids.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a chemical into the hemorrhoid to shrink the tissue, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Over time, the treated tissue will shrink and fall off. Sclerotherapy is painless but may not be as effective as other hemorrhoid treatments.
Hemorrhoidectomy
When minimally invasive procedures have not effectively treated the hemorrhoids, physicians will then turn to surgical interventions. A hemorrhoidectomy is the surgical removal of the hemorrhoid. Surgeons perform the procedure in an outpatient surgical center under local or general anesthesia.
A hemorrhoidectomy effectively removes hemorrhoids but also carries the most risk for complications. After surgery, patients may experience difficulty emptying the bladder and urinary tract infections may occur. Patients may also experience pain following the procedure, which physicians can usually control with medication.
Stapling
Another surgical intervention to treat hemorrhoids involves a procedure called stapling. Stapling generally causes less pain and recovery time then a hemorrhoidectomy. During stapling, physicians block blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissues, causing the tissues to shrink and die.
Patients may find stapling less painful than the hemorrhoidectomy; however, the MayoClinic.com website reports that stapling is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and rectal prolapse, in which part of the rectum protrudes from the anus.
