So you have hemorrhoids. You’re not alone. Most adults in this country eventually develop hemorrhoids – half of us have them by age 50 and three quarters of us will have issues at some point during our lifetime! It is now estimated that over 25 million Americans are affected. All races, both sexes, and all ages are susceptible.
What causes Hemorrhoids?
Pregnancy, lack of dietary fiber, heavy lifting and constipation are common hemorrhoid triggers. We are all at risk. Hemorrhoids don’t discriminate – we can all get them!
What Are Hemorrhoids?
They are simply cushions of tissue containing blood vessels that occur in the last couple of inches of the rectum. In affected patients, these cushions become loose, and the vessels enlarge, causing problems which include swelling and bleeding. Other problems which may occur include itching, prolapse, and even leakage of stool, and they are often associated with conditions causing pain as well. While everyone has hemorrhoids, we typically do not start referring to them as such until they start causing problems.
What Are The Symptoms?
Symptoms depend on the location and severity of the hemorrhoidal changes. Internal hemorrhoids typically cause issues which include swelling, prolapse, itching and bleeding, but they typically do not cause pain. External hemorrhoids, which are covered by very sensitive skin, can be painful, as can conditions including anal fissures (a tear in the anal lining). Bleeding, whether found on the toilet tissue or found in the toilet bowl, is what most often brings patients to their doctors for evaluation and treatment.
Do you need to treat hemorrhoids?
Diagnosis is an important first step in treatment. Often, patients present with bleeding, which can also be found in more serious conditions of the colon and rectum. For this reason, many patients need other diagnostic tests, such as a colonoscopy, in order to make certain that the bleeding is simply coming from their hemorrhoids as opposed to one of these other conditions. When other conditions have been ruled out, hemorrhoid treatment may begin. If left untreated, hemorrhoids can come and go but reoccurrence is likely to continue until the underlying problem is treated.
What is the most effective treatment?
There are several methods of hemorrhoid treatment available today. These methods range from surgery, which is very painful, to infrared coagulation to ultroid, both have higher complication rates and longer recuperation time. The non-surgical CRH O’Regan System, utilizing a technique known as band ligation, offers a painless, effective, and safe alternative to these surgical options.
How does it work?
By using a disposable plastic device, the doctor uses soft suction to draw hemorrhoid tissue into the ligator and then slips a tiny rubber band around the tissue. With its blood supply cut off, the hemorrhoid slowly shrivels up and falls off. Most patients will require three treatments and will often start seeing their symptoms disappear right away.
Where can you get rubber banding?
Dr. Leon Egozi in Miami Beach, Aventura and Sunny Isles offers the gold-standard in hemorrhoid care, the CRH O’Regan System. It is a singleuse, non-surgical device that treats all grades of hemorrhoids easily and painlessly by rubber band ligation. This simple procedure is performed in the office and is effective in treating 99.1% of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoid disease. No prep or sedation is needed, and patients typically return to work the same day.
Should I be worried?
No! Hemorrhoids are annoying, uncomfortable, and often embarrassing, but never serious. Book an appointment for your hemorrhoids and get treated today. Call Dr. Leon Egozi’s office at 305-504-2112 and start feeling better today!
