By Gregg Baranski, MD, Colorectal Surgery

Is there a painless way to treat hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels inside the rectum or around the anus that become irritated by diarrhea or constipation, straining, pregnancy and delivery, age, and family history. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (protruding outside the anus). Common symptoms include pain after a bowel movement, itching, burning, bleeding, and even a palpable lump. The severity of these symptoms helps determine the best treatment.

For patients with minor symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. If hemorrhoid symptoms are mild, it's a problem that can be managed with simple dietary and lifestyle changes or with over-the-counter medications.

Most people who have moderate hemorrhoid symptoms can be treated effectively with one of these office-based procedures:

Rubber banding
A banding device is used to place a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The band cuts off circulation to the hemorrhoid, which disappears in a few days. This painless office procedure allows a patient to return to work in a day.

Infrared coagulation
An infrared wand is used to heat and destroy the blood supply in the hemorrhoid. The procedure is painless, and recovery is quick.

Surgical treatment for advanced hemorrhoids

For patients with advanced hemorrhoids that cause frequent pain and bleeding or for those whose hemorrhoids don’t respond to office-based treatments, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:

Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH)
PPH is a procedure for the treatment of advanced hemorrhoids that protrude through the anus. PPH lifts the tissue and restores it to its original position. It also interrupts blood flow to the hemorrhoids, which shrink within a few weeks.

Hemorrhoidal artery ligation (HAL)
Using Doppler (ultrasound) guidance, HAL cuts the blood supply to the hemorrhoidal “cushions” to decrease the pressure inside them. This procedure is safe and effective for specific grades of hemorrhoids.

Excisional hemorrhoidectomy
This approach surgically removes the hemorrhoidal tissue while avoiding injury to the underlying sphincter muscle.

Talk to your doctor about hemorrhoids

We get it—hemorrhoids are a problem not many people like to talk about. Some people try to ignore hemorrhoid symptoms and avoid seeking professional help.

The reality is that more than 50% of people over age 50 experience hemorrhoid symptoms, and many are unaware of the treatment options available.

Recognizing how awkward the subject can be, I take careful measures to make patients comfortable. I put the patient at ease as we discuss their medical history and symptoms.

Unfortunately, many conditions that affect the anus and rectum are attributed mistakenly to hemorrhoids. Therefore, they’re often misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated. As embarrassing as it may be, discussing your symptoms with an expert is essential.

Get expert hemorrhoid treatment

You don’t have to live with the pain of hemorrhoids or die of embarrassment talking to your doctor about them. Find a Virtua colorectal surgeon near you and schedule an appointment.