About Hemorrhoids

At HCA we can help you get the relief you deserve today with our non-surgical hemorrhoid office treatment. You no longer have to suffer the pain, bleeding, or itching of hemorrhoids or fissures. We understand you may be nervous or embarrassed but we can assure you our office treatment will quickly get you back to the old you. Going to the bathroom does not need to be feared. Our patients are thrilled to get rid of their pain, bleeding, and itching without surgery. They only wish they would have done it sooner. Do yourself a huge favor and make an appointment today.

What are Hemorrhoids?

In the human body, several blood vessels supply the tissue in the lower rectum. We all have these blood vessels and they are called the hemorrhoid vessels. They form three cushions that help fill the rectum and aid in continence. The internal hemorrhoids are connected to the surrounding muscles by connective tissue. As the hemorrhoids continue to enlarge they may break their connections and protrude outside the anal canal which is called prolapse. A combination of genetically determined decreased connective tissue strength and increased pelvic pressure may lead to these blood vessels swelling which can cause pain, itching, leakage, and bleeding. Straining from constipation or diarrhea, heavy lifting, core exercising, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, or even air travel may exacerbate your hemorrhoids.

What are Internal vs. External Hemorrhoids?

There are two types: internal, on the inside of the rectum, and external, under the skin of the opening of the anus. Internal hemorrhoid swelling is the main cause of rectal bleeding and pressure. External hemorrhoid swelling adds to the pressure and makes hygiene more difficult. Enlarged internal hemorrhoids can lead to a discharge of infected mucous causing skin infections, rash, and itching. Blood clots in the external hemorrhoids leads to a painful thrombosis that may rupture and bleed.

Treatments

Mild hemorrhoid symptoms may respond to increased water, fiber, lubrication, and lifestyle modifications. Over the counter hemorrhoid creams and suppositories may provide temporary relief for some, but do nothing to help reduce the increased pressure in the rectum. The use of witch hazel, hydrocortisone, and topical anesthetics may provide some temporary relief. Their use should be limited to avoid side effects of skin infection, rash and skin thinning. Their usage may also mask symptoms due to other conditions such as colorectal or anal cancer. It is not safe to assume your bleeding, pain, or itching is due to hemorrhoids. Change in bowel habits, black or tarry stools, passage of significant blood or clots, abdominal or pelvic pain, or weight loss may indicate other conditions and need evaluation as soon as possible.

Many hemorrhoid products touted on the internet have to be taken everyday forever, are expensive, and have no proven results. Steroids and OTC preparations or suppositories are ineffective and do not help the increased anal pressure and pain. The appeal of this type of Hemorrhoid “Treatment” capitalizes on the fear and embarrassment of seeing a doctor. Knowing we will help you with our non-surgical treatment should help you overcome your fears. Topical Nitroglycerin and the analgesic Lidocaine will reduce anal pressure, swelling, pain, and bleeding. These “miracle” ointments can help you get the relief you deserve today. Custom compounds have replaced ineffective OTC preparations, suppositories, and steroids as the preferred medical treatment If needed, we will use a bander ligation system to quickly and with minimal discomfort shrink your internal hemorrhoids. It is time to get a proven, effective, and safe cure for your hemorrhoids.

Surgical Treatment Can Be Avoided

Traditional surgery for hemorrhoids is called hemorrhoidectomy. In this procedure, any internal and external hemorrhoids are excised and the tissue is either sewn closed, or left open to heal naturally. The healing process is slow and painful, and patients can expect to be home from work, resting, and on pain medication for up to two or three weeks. Over the years, various surgical methods have been tried, each with their own risks and side effects.

Dilation treatment is one approach. The anus is forcefully dilated to reduce the tightness and pressure placed on the veins. However, many patients find that while the treatment cures their hemorrhoids, it causes fecal incontinence. A more invasive approach with similar results is the sphincterotomy, wherein the anal sphincter is partly cut to loosen it, lessening chronic anal tightness. Another procedure, a “stapled” hemorrhoidectomy, offers a shorter healing period and less pain, but there are still serious side effects which can occur. This so called “PPH” procedure has been abandoned by many surgeons because of potential complications. Doppler guided ligation is effective but involves anesthesia and operating room charges. A variety of lasers have been used but are also expensive and may require anesthesia.

Non-Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment

Surgery has been replaced by non-surgical office hemorrhoid treatments. Cryotherapy, freezing of hemorrhoids, is very painful and no longer recommended. Sclerotherapy, injection of liquids that clot the hemorrhoids, is painful and rarely used now. Infrared coagulation or IRC has proven to be less successful than originally hoped and made external hemorrhoids worse in some cases.

Hemorrhoid Ligation System -The New Gold Standard

The preferred non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment is rubber band ligation. Our disposable banders are a marked improvement over other systems. It is disposable, safe, and effective. It uses gentle suction to place the rubber band over one internal hemorrhoid per treatment. Three banding sessions are frequently required. Within days, the hemorrhoidal tissue dies and is passed during a bowel movement. A small scar will form making it less likely the hemorrhoid will recur or prolapse. Our bander ligation system is disposable and easy to use. The procedure takes only seconds. Most patients feel a slight pressure for 1-2 days afterwards. This new ligator eliminates the need for surgery in almost all cases. As an office procedure, the patient can return to work comfortably right after the appointment.

At HCA we only use disposable ligation systems. Dr. Goldman introduced disposable banding to the Southeastern United States in 2006. Dr. Alan Goldman is the Medical Director of Hemorrhoid Centers of America. At HCA we have helped thousands of patients avoid surgery and get the relief they deserve. We will start you on our special hemorrhoid compounds as needed for immediate relief and help you get rid of your hemorrhoids with our ligation system.

HCA Office Treatment Features the CRH O'Regan Ligation System

Mitchel Guttenplan, MD
CRH Medical Director

Top 10 Hemorrhoid Questions

1How To Get Rid of Hemorrhoids?

The best way to get rid of hemorrhoids is rubber band ligation with a disposable bander that uses gentle suction. The multiple and sometimes expensive creams, ointments, suppositories, or pills provide some temporary relief at best. Fiber, water, lubrication, topical steroids, topical analgesics have been used for many years with minimal success. Modern prescription ointments that contain smooth muscle relaxers and analgesics are the most effective medication for temporary relief.

2What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoid enlargement is due to inherited weak rectal connective tissue and straining.

3How Do You Get Hemorrhoids?

We all have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids may enlarge and cause pain, bleeding, itching, and swelling due to inherited weak connective tissue and straining. Over time the hemorrhoids may protrude outside the anus. Constipation, diarrhea, core exercising, prolonged sitting or standing, pregnancy, and air travel are some of the aggravating factors.

4What Is Good For Hemorrhoids?

Prescription Nitroglycerine, Nifedipine, or Diltiazem combined with topical analgesics are best for temporary relief. Fiber, stool softeners, or Miralax is used for constipation. Rubber band ligation is the preferred treatment.

5How To Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Fast?

Surgery is the fastest way to get rid of hemorrhoids. Surgery is painful, disabling, complicated, and expensive. The fastest ointments for relief contain Nitroglycerine, Nifedipine, or Diltiazem combined with Lidocaine.

6What Causes Rectal Bleeding?

Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bright red bleeding that may be located on the tissue, stool, or into the water. If there is an associated sharp or burning pain there may be an associated anal fissure or tear. Diverticulosis, Colitis, arteriovenous malformations, or Cancer of the anus, rectum, or colon may also cause rectal bleeding. It is not safe to assume rectal bleeding is due to hemorrhoids.

7How Can I Get Rid of External Hemorrhoids?

External hemorrhoids are treated with banding the internal hemorrhoids and then removing the external tissue in the office under local anesthesia.

8Does Rubber Band Ligation Hurt?

No. Topical analgesics and smooth muscle relaxers are use prior to the banding. It is a quick procedure that leaves a slight pressure feeling for one day. Most people return to work the same day.

9How Do I Get Rid of Hemorrhoids At Home?

You can try soaking in a tub, laxatives, topical Lidocaine and steroids, antifungal creams for rash and itching, OTC pain relievers, and rest. Do not try and ligate your own hemorrhoids or cut or puncture them in anyway. See a specialist in non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment to make sure of the diagnosis and get you the relief you deserve.