Wondering How Hemorrhoids Are diagnosed and Treated? Find Out Now!
Hemorrhoids: Consultation and Treatment.
Hemorrhoids, or piles, is a common problem that many people deal with at some point in their lives.
They can cause discomfort, pain, and even bleeding, often due to things like sitting too long, constipation, or pregnancy.
The good news is that finding the right treatment starts with a visit to your doctor.
Based on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor can suggest anything from simple lifestyle changes to medications, and sometimes even more advanced treatments or surgery.
If you are Wondering How Hemorrhoids Are diagnosed and treated ? Find it Out Now in this article!
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| Wondering How Hemorrhoids Are diagnosed and Treated? |
Your Medical treatment helps you relieve your hemorrhoidal crisis.
If the symptoms persist, an endoscopic or surgical treatment is necessary.
Hemorrhoids: Medical Consultation
Your primary care physician may refer you to a gastroenterologist for an assessment.
The gastroenterologist will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing.
They will examine the anal region and explore the anal canal using an anoscope (a small, short, rigid endoscope).
No additional tests are necessary to diagnose hemorrhoids.
The hemorrhoidal origin of bleeding can only be confirmed after excluding other lesions in the digestive tract
(Such as colon polyps, colon cancer, etc.), particularly through a colonoscopy.
Hemorrhoids: Hygienic and Dietary Rules are Essential
Regardless of the treatment considered for hemorrhoidal disease, your doctor will explain the importance of following hygienic and dietary recommendations.
Medications for Hemorrhoids
Medical treatment for hemorrhoids aims to eliminate or reduce symptoms (in terms of intensity, duration, and frequency).
It is typically used for short periods of one to two weeks.
Laxatives
Laxatives can be used to treat constipation (bulk-forming, osmotic, lubricating) that exacerbates hemorrhoidal disease.
Topical Medications to Relieve a Hemorrhoidal Crisis
Often used in self-medication, these medications, in the form of creams or suppositories for local use, soothe hemorrhoids due to their decongestant, anesthetic, lubricating (facilitating bowel movements), and anti-inflammatory properties.
They act as a protective dressing, shielding the mucosa from the irritation caused by stool.
These products can be obtained without a prescription, except for those containing corticosteroids, which should not be used for prolonged periods.
Hemorrhoids: Are Venotonic Medications Useful?
These medications, taken orally, can be used for short courses to treat a hemorrhoidal crisis.
There is no benefit in combining venotonics or using them for extended periods.
They can be combined with laxatives.
These medications cannot be used preventively.
Pain Relievers and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Relieve Hemorrhoidal Pain
Paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in relieving pain, particularly from hemorrhoidal thrombosis.
Endoscopic Treatment of Hemorrhoids at the Doctor’s Office
Instrumental treatment of hemorrhoids: If medical treatment fails and hemorrhoidal symptoms persist, an instrumental treatment may be offered.
It can be done in consultation, without anesthesia or preparatory enema.
During the examination of the anal region and anoscopy, the doctor decides on the most appropriate therapeutic technique.
Whatever the treatment chosen, it provides significant relief but does not eliminate the possibility of recurrence.
The goal of this treatment is to create a scarred area at the top of internal hemorrhoids to strengthen their support.
It does not eliminate the hemorrhoids.
It involves various methods, used in one or more sessions if needed:
- Elastic ligation of hemorrhoids (an elastic band is placed at the top of the hemorrhoidal masses)
- Sclerotherapy (a sclerosing agent is injected under the mucosa)
- Photocoagulation or electrocoagulation
- Cryotherapy
Side effects may include fever, bleeding, or pain. However, the treatment is usually well tolerated.
If you have a professional activity, one day off is generally enough.
The effectiveness of these treatments diminishes over time, and symptoms may reappear.
Treatment of External Hemorrhoidal Thrombosis
Medical Treatment
It combines non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and transit regulators.
The pain disappears, and the thrombosis regresses within a few weeks.
Excision or Incision of Hemorrhoidal Thrombosis
This is a simple procedure that can be performed in consultation, if necessary under local anesthesia, which provides immediate relief.
The incision involves making a simple opening in the swelling with a scalpel and cleaning the cavity to ensure complete removal of the clot.
Excision removes the swollen skin, allowing complete evacuation of the clot and the fibrous sac surrounding it.
It is often preferred over incision because it reduces the risk of complications and recurrence.
Local care with antiseptics may sometimes be prescribed.
Surgical Treatment of Hemorrhoids
Surgical treatment is recommended after failure of instrumental treatments or if the hemorrhoids are large from the outset.
Surgical procedures for hemorrhoids are carried out in an outpatient surgery setting or during a hospital stay.
Anesthesia is required.
Surgical Techniques: Various surgical techniques exist, and the surgeon will propose the best option for the patient:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: The hemorrhoidal masses are completely removed;
- Hemorrhoidopexy: Internal hemorrhoids are lifted in the anal canal (not removed). They are held in place by removing a ring of mucosa and performing a sutured stapling. This reduces the blood flow to the hemorrhoids and provides better support;
- Hemorrhoid ligation: The small arteries supplying blood to the hemorrhoids are ligated at several points under Doppler guidance, thus reducing blood flow to the hemorrhoids. This is a minimally invasive surgery;
- Minimally invasive surgery using radiofrequency: This newer technique allows for "burning" the hemorrhoidal masses with a radiofrequency probe without damaging the mucosa. Postoperative recovery is simple (minimal pain and bleeding).
Hemorrhoid Surgery: What Are the Postoperative Outcomes?
The recovery is more challenging after hemorrhoidectomy due to pain and a longer healing time compared to other surgeries.
Local care should be done carefully after hemorrhoid surgery.
Complications (pain, bleeding, anal itching, temporary incontinence, constipation, and mild bleeding) may occur in the days following surgery.
If symptoms like fever, pain, or bleeding persist for more than two days after surgery, it is advised to consult a doctor.
Healing after hemorrhoidectomy typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Possible issues with anal incontinence after hemorrhoidopexy usually resolve in 3 to 4 weeks, and the staples disappear on their own after 4 weeks.
The effectiveness of ligation appears after 1 to 2 months.
Hemorrhoid surgery may lead to complications such as anal itching, urgency to have a bowel movement, or difficulty passing gas.
Prado: Home Care Service
If you are hospitalized for surgery, the Health Insurance may assist you in preparing for your return home.
With Prado, a Health Insurance advisor will visit you during your hospitalization to arrange your first appointments with local healthcare professionals after discharge.
This advisor can also help with administrative tasks.
Resuming Activities After Hemorrhoid Surgery
After hemorrhoid surgery, a gradual return to physical activities is possible depending on how each patient feels.
However, swimming or vigorous sports require complete wound healing (about 4 to 6 weeks).
Air travel is not recommended for 15 days.
A work stoppage is necessary after surgery. Its duration, adapted to each patient, depends on:
- Their general health;
- The surgical technique used and the postoperative course;
- The nature of the work. Physical work involving heavy lifting requires a longer rest period than sedentary work.
For hemorrhoidopexy, the work stoppage varies from 7 days for sedentary work to 10 days for heavy physical labor.
After hemorrhoidectomy, the work stoppage is longer, ranging from 14 days for sedentary work to 28 days for heavy physical work.
In the latter case, returning to work may require temporary adjustments to the work position. Discuss this with your doctor.
Conclusion
Taking care of hemorrhoids usually involves a mix of medical advice, changes to your diet and habits, and sometimes more serious treatments like surgery.
While creams and small adjustments can help with mild cases, if your hemorrhoids stick around or get worse, you might need something stronger, like a procedure or surgery.
A quick chat with your doctor will help you figure out the best way to treat them.
With the right steps, you can reduce the pain, prevent the problem from coming back, and get back to feeling like yourself again.
