What are the Non surgical Procedures for Hemorrhoids

Non surgical procedures can be used to treat hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that are inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

They are caused by increased pressure in the anal area. This pressure may result from straining to have a bowel movement (constipation), diarrhea, pregnancy, obesity, anal sex, or sitting for long periods of time.

Hemorrhoids can cause symptoms such as pain and bleeding. Various procedures may be performed if diet changes, lifestyle changes, and other treatments do not help your symptoms. Some of these procedures do not involve surgery. Three common nonsurgical procedures are:

• Rubber band ligation. Rubber bands are used to cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoids.
• Sclerotherapy. Medicine is injected into the hemorrhoids to shrink them.
• Infrared coagulation. A type of light energy is used to get rid of the hemorrhoids.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Pain.

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• You may need to have a procedure to examine the inside of your colon with a scope (colonoscopy). Your health care provider may do this to make sure that there are no other causes for your bleeding or pain.

What happens during the procedure?

• Your health care provider will clean your rectal area with a rinsing solution.
• A lubricating jelly may be placed into your rectum. The jelly may contain a medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• Your health care provider will insert a short scope (anoscope) into your rectum to examine the hemorrhoids.
• One of the following techniques will be used.

Rubber Band Ligation

Your health care provider will place medical instruments through the scope to put rubber bands around the base of your hemorrhoids. The bands will cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids will fall off after several days.

Sclerotherapy

Your health care provider will inject medicine through the scope into your hemorrhoids. This will cause them to shrink and dry up.

Infrared Coagulation

Your health care provider will shine a type of light through the scope onto your hemorrhoids. This light will generate energy (infrared radiation). It will cause the hemorrhoids to scar and then fall off.

Each of these procedures may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• You will be monitored to make sure that you have no bleeding.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.

Care After Non surgical Procedures for Hemorrhoids

These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions.

Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Slight rectal bleeding for a few days.
• Soreness or a dull ache in the rectal area.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Use a stool softener or a bulk laxative as told by your health care provider.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg).
• Do not sit for long periods of time. Take a walk every day or as told by your health care provider.
• Do not strain to have a bowel movement.
• Do not spend a long time sitting on the toilet.

Eating and drinking

• Eat foods that contain fiber, such as whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

General instructions

• Sit in a warm bath 2–3 times a day to relieve soreness or itching.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your pain medicine is not helping.
• You have a fever.
• You become constipated.
• You continue to have light rectal bleeding for more than a few days.

Get help right away if:

• You have very bad rectal pain.
• You have heavy bleeding from your rectum.