Hemorrhoids are as common as kittens in May. Millions of people are afflicted with them each year. In most instances hemorrhoids can be treated at home with good success. For the remaining 10 to 20 percent of sufferers with severe hemorrhoids, more strenuous interventions might be needed.
The severity of hemorrhoids is measured in large part by the degree of prolapse. A prolapse occurs when the internal hemorrhoid swells and bulges until it protrudes from the rectum. Sometimes a prolapsed hemorrhoid gets trapped outside the rectum. When that it happens it is called a “strangulated hemorrhoid.”
The medical community grades the severity of hemorrhoids as follows: Grade 1 hemorrhoids have no prolapse whatsoever; grade 2 prolapse after a bowel movement, but spontaneously retract; grade 3 hemorrhoids prolapse after a bowel movement, but must be manually re-inserted; and grade 4 hemorrhoids prolapse after a bowel movement but are trapped outside and cannot successfully be re-inserted. Specialized treatments are prescribed for both grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids. Some of the many treatments available for grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids are: ligation, hemorrhoid stapling, and hemorrhoidectomy.
Often called the rubber band treatment, ligation works best with grade 3 hemorrhoids, those that prolapse with a bowel movement and must be manually retracted. In this procedure a rubber band is placed around the hemorrhoid that cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid and rubber band fall off within a day or two, and full cessation of pain and discomfort occurs within two weeks.
Stapling is another method that is frequently used in treating severe hemorrhoids. In this procedure the physician uses a special stapling tool to excise the internal hemorrhoid. This stapling causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and thus eliminates the pain, but not the hemorrhoid itself. In general hemorrhoid stapling is more painful than the rubber band treatment and less painful than having the hemorrhoids surgically removed.
Hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the hemorrhoid entirely. It can be done with standard operating procedures using a scalpel and sutures or it can be performed with a laser. Hemorrhoidectomies are usually reserved for the most severe hemorrhoids or in cases of frequent hemorrhoid re-occurrences.
Hemorrhoid sufferers who experience severe or recurrent hemorrhoids should consult with their physician to discuss which specialized treatment best meets their need.
