If you’re someone who’s suffering from hemorrhoids, you’re not alone. Hemorrhoids are a common occurrence in both men and women and affect a significant number of Americans.
In fact, about 1 in 20 Americans have hemorrhoids. It’s worth noting that the risk of developing this painful condition increases with age, with over half of adults older than age 50 experiencing hemorrhoids.
However, there’s no need to worry; there are plenty of non-surgical treatment options available to help alleviate the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids.
So if you’re experiencing symptoms of hemorrhoids, don’t hesitate to look into non-surgical treatment for relief.
IR procedures are nonsurgical, outpatient, same-day procedures that can often be performed in under an hour. They are also called percutaneous procedures or needle entry procedures. These recently developed techniques allow access to areas that would otherwise require a more invasive procedure, such as traditional surgery, which requires general anesthesia, a stay in the hospital, and a long recovery period.
While it’s normal to experience mild discomfort during and post-treatment, most patients report a positive experience without any major pain.
All procedures can be done on-site at the medical clinic. No general anesthesia or hospital stay is required.
Interventional radiology procedures typically involve shorter recovery periods and faster return to daily activities than traditional open surgeries.
Interventional radiology has a high success rate in diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions using non-surgical techniques.
Compared to traditional surgical procedures, interventional radiology has fewer side effects, such as reduced pain and scarring, shorter recovery times, and lower risks of complications.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins caused by increased pressure in the rectum or anus. There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum, while external hemorrhoids develop around the anal opening.
Internal hemorrhoids are small, swollen veins in the rectum, while external hemorrhoids look like lumps or masses around the anus. Prolapsed hemorrhoids are internal hemorrhoids that bulge from the anal opening, while strangulated hemorrhoids are internal hemorrhoids that become trapped outside the anal opening.
Age, pregnancy, being overweight, straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for long periods of time, and anal intercourse are all risk factors for developing hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous or life-threatening, but they can be very painful. They can also bleed, which can lead to anemia if left untreated. It is important to see a doctor if you have rectal bleeding to rule out other serious causes.
The most common symptom of hemorrhoids is rectal bleeding during bowel movements. Other symptoms include pain, itching, discomfort, and the presence of a lump or mass around the anus.
Hemorrhoids are usually diagnosed through a physical exam, including a digital rectal exam. In some cases, a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy may be recommended to rule out other conditions.
Medical procedures for treating hemorrhoids include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation, laser surgery, hemorrhoidectomy, and hemorrhoid embolization (emborrhoid technique).
An Imaging & Interventional Specialist can provide a free medical consultation to go over your history, review your medical chart and imaging, and discuss with you the best treatment option.
Imaging & Interventional Specialists are leaders in interventional radiology and offer non-surgical image-guided procedures for hemorrhoid treatment. Their board-certified physicians offer in-house testing for diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment program for your hemorrhoids.