Hemorrhoids (piles)
Content
Description
Hemorrhoids (piles) is a disease that is caused by dilated veins in the rectum or outside of anus.
- The easiest way to think of hemorrhoids is as varicose veins of the legs, but in the area of the rectum and anus.
- It is a relatively common condition (around 50% of the population) and affects men more often than women, commonly around the ages of 25 - 50.
- Hemorrhoids cause discomfort in the rectum, itching, burning, pain and rectal bleeding (fresh blood).
The causes of hemorrhoids are different, they are more common in patients with a low-fiber diet, problems with stool (hard stool, constipation, frequent diarrhea), overweight, lack of exercise, sedentary work.
They also appear during pregnancy and after childbirth, heredity also plays a role.
Facts
- Local or general anesthesia
- Outpatient procedure/One-day surgery
- Procedure lasts 30-60 minutes
- Healing for 3 days, recovery in 14 days
There are 4 stages of hemorrhoids:
- Grade 1 is represented by slightly enlarged blood vessels that are not visible.
- Grade 2 is characterized by larger vessels that bulge outward when pushing on the stool, then shrink when released.
- Grade 3 haemorrhoids have vessels that bulge when pressure is applied and remain pushed outward unless they are pushed back into the rectum with a finger.
- Grade 4 represents permanent hemorrhoids that are visible.
We also distinguish:
- Internal hemorrhoids, located under the mucous membrane of the anus. Most often manifested by bleeding - fresh red blood that can be seen after defecating on the stool or on the toilet paper.
- External hemorrhoids, which are located under the skin of the anus, arise after inflammation of the veins - a blood clot (thrombus) can also form in the veins, then the hemorrhoid is painful, swollen and blue in color.
Treatment of the first and second stages (grades) includes Dietary changes - increased fiber intake, improved hygiene, suppositories and ointments are also effective. Venotonics and a bath in oak bark are also used.
Surgical treatment of hemorrhoids includes:
- Barron's elastic ligature - a rubber band ligation, in which the hemorrhoid is tightened with a special rubber band and strangled in. After necrosis of the hemorrhoid it falls off within a few days. The procedure is performed without anesthesia, a small scar remains after it, which strengthens the rest of the tissue. 1 - 2 hemorrhoidal nodes are treated in one session, others with an interval of 3 - 4 weeks. Suitable for Stages 1 to 3.
- Laser treatment is the most modern method. It is performed under local anesthesia and is also suitable for more advanced stages (3rd and 4th stage). The procedure takes about 30 minutes and the final result is after 4 - 6 weeks.
- The radiofrequency method removes hemorrhoids by cauterizing them with radio waves. The procedure takes place under local anesthesia and lasts up to 30 minutes, suitable for all stages of hemorrhoids.
- Older methods are: sclerotization, in which a sclerotizing solution is applied to the hemorrhoids, which closes the vessels (suitable for hemorrhoids of the 1st and 2nd degree), cryotherapy, or electrocoagulation.
- Among the more extensive surgical procedures, it is hemorrhoid resection - hemorrhoidectomy (resection of part of the rectal mucosa), stapled hemorrhoidopexy and others.
Recovery depends on the type of procedure, but usually it is possible to carry out normal daily activities after 2 - 3 days.
Minor bleeding is common and can last up to 14 days.
