What Are Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids(Piles)?

Cosmocare is a leading private clinic offering expert treatment options for hemorrhoids (Piles), besides all other general surgical problems by an experienced surgeon with over 20 years of blemish free procedures.

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, affect a sizeable number of the general population. But most of them choose to suffer the symptoms in silence so as to avoid the so-called 'embarrassment' they would face on visiting a doctor or for the fear of a surgery. Postponing treatment for symptomatic hemorrhoids not only helps them grow but timely intervention may help reduce or regress them, usually without a surgery.

Approximately 5 per cent of the general population suffers from hemorrhoids but less than one-third see a doctor for evaluation.
Hemorrhoids can be of two types, internal and external. They present with different set of symptoms. Internal hemorrhoids usually present with discomfort, itching, pain or bleeding. External present with a lump around the anal margin which may be painful. Internal hemorrhoids are graded according to their size, which decides their treatment.

Hemorrhoids symptoms often begin with painless rectal bleeding. This blood can be seen on the toilet tissue or with stool and after appears bright red. However, rectal bleeding may be a symptom of other anol-rectal disorders. Therefore, it is important to discuss this symptom with your surgeon when it occurs. Although some bleeding hemorrhoids subside within 1-2 weeks, others progress over time leading to itching, discharge and tissue prolapse (bulging). Hemorrhoids may reach a point where surgical intervention is the only treatment option. We feel it is better to treat hemorrhoids before they get to this point. With Cosmocare your hemorrhoids can be treated during a regular office visit and it requires no preparation, anesthesia or activity restrictions.

Most people suffering from hemorrhoids early on have minimal symptoms, such as mild discomfort or itching, to begin with. This usually lasts for a short time but has a knack of appearing at the most inopportune time, like in the middle of a meeting. It is at this stage that hemorrhoids can be best treated with simple measures and medicines, but is ignored by the patient. Others may pass fresh blood during passage of stools, which hastens an early visit to the doctor. As the stage progresses, the symptoms worsen, and this is when most would seek a consultation but it may be a too late for medical therapy alone.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids (Piles)

By middle age, almost half of all adults in the Dubai, UAE have had to deal with hemorrhoids at one time or another. The condition usually is signaled by itching, discomfort and bleeding. If blood pools in an external hemorrhoid, it may form a clot, called a thrombus. This condition can result in severe pain and inflammation. Other symptoms include:

• Irritation and swelling in your anal area
• Associated pain
• A sensitive or painful lump near your anus
• Painless bleeding that leaves bright red blood on tissue or in the bowl during bowel movements
• Leaking feces

 

Rectal bleeding also can be a symptom of another medical condition, including cancer. You should consult a surgeon to rule out other more dangerous causes. Furthermore, if you noticed a change in your bowel patterns or if you’ve passed black, tarry or maroon stools, see him right away. It can be a sign of a more serious condition, including colon cancer. Finally, get immediate help if you feel lightheaded or dizzy or if you’re passing a large volume of blood, which can lead to anemia.

Causes of Hemorrhoids (Piles)
Hemorrhoids (Piles) can form when you push and strain during bowel movements. Other causes include:

• Constipation
• Sitting on the toilet too long
• Aging
• Heavy lifting
• Chronic diarrhea
• The last six months of pregnancy
• Giving birth
• Anal intercourse
• Obesity
• A low-fiber diet
• Liver disease

 

Treatment options:

Early hemorrhoids can be managed quite well with medical treatment. Hence seeking early advice could save you from the surgery. If they don’t respond to medical treatment we still have a few office (OPD) procedures which can be done without Anesthesia without much pain in the OPD setting.

RFA Ablation ( Rafaelo) / Laser:

Under local Anesthesia Grade I and II and sometimes even early Grade III hemorrhoids can be dealt with. At the end of procedure patient walks out of the clinic at the prescription without much discomfort.

Rubber band ligation, in which our doctors place little rubber bands around the base of a hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. It shrinks and falls off with the rubber band in a few days during a bowel movement.

Infrared coagulation, a minimally invasive, state-of-the-art office-based option that uses infrared light or heat to treat your hemorrhoids. After one treatment, your small, bleeding, internal hemorrhoids harden and shrivel. The tiny resulting scar tissue holds the other veins in place, preventing future hemorrhoids.
Hospital based treatment:

These procedures are reserved for higher grade III, IV, external, prolapsed and thrombosed hemorrhoids. Some of these patients present with acute pain needing emergency surgery.

THD (Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation)-

Minimally invasive procedure to treat grade III And higher hemorrhoids. Almost pain-free with a quick return to regular activity and work. No dressings or painful ones.

Laser hemorrhoid coagulation-

Involves coagulating the feeding vessel of hemorrhoid under Doppler guidance. It is pain-free with short recovery period of 1 to 2 days with a quick return to activity the next day. it is best suited for grade II hemorrhoids.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy -

The less preferred option for grade III hemorrhoids as it involves resection of a circular margin of anal tissue. It is effective with less pain but has more immediate and long-term complications than THD.
Open Hemorrhoidectomy -
Involves resection of hemorrhoidal tissue. It is reserved for external or thrombosed prolapsed hemorrhoids. It is more painful with longer recovery to regular activity and involves regular postoperative visits to doctor for painful dressings.

There are many treatment options available. The best one is selected for each patient depending on multiple factors such as age,   grade, internal or external, thrombosed, prolapsed, etc. The number of surgeries for hemorrhoids has seen a gradual fall over the years due to effectiveness of newer treatments, such as laser. The more debilitating, painful and scarier option of open surgery has given way to less painful, minimally invasive surgeries such as the THD (transanal hemorrhoidal dearterializsation) which ensures a quick recovery with an early return to normal life and work, sometimes even within a few days.