MANILA, Philippines - Hemorrhoids are
actually present in all individuals whether healthy or not. They are the
vascular cushions which surround the general area of the rectum and
anus.
The term hemorrhoids is associated with the symptoms when this part
of the body becomes enlarged, inflamed, thrombosed or prolapsed.
Many people have them without suffering from any symptoms, and
therefore these may be safely left alone. Treatment is usually required
for those whose hemorrhoidal symptoms such as excruciating throbbing
pain affect quality of life and daily living.
There are many traditional remedies and non-surgical treatments for
hemorrhoids. However, if none of these work, surgical procedures may be
required as a last resort.
Below are some misconceptions about hemorrhoids treatment and the truth behind each:
Misconception No. 1. All surgical procedures for hemorrhoids are very painful. Due
to this reputation of a painful operation, advances in
hemorrhoid surgery have focused on making it less painful. One such
operation is stapled hemorrhoidectomy. Using a specially designed,
single-use stapler instrument, hemorrhoids are excised and the anus
repaired from the inside. The end-result is that the surgical wound is
inside, and no wound is visible outside the anus. Scientific studies
have proven that this is less painful than traditional surgery.
Another advanced surgical technique is ****transarterial hemorrhoidal
dearterialization (THD). Using a Doppler ultrasound, the blood vessel
supplying the hemorrhoid is identified and ligated with stitches.
Deprived of its blood supply, the hemorrhoid then shrinks and shrivels.
Again there is no wound outside and is therefore almost painless.
Misconception No. 2. Another more common misconception about surgery
for hemorrhoids is that it can cause fecal incontinence, or the
inability to control farting or defecation. Again this is not true. When hemorrhoid
surgery is done properly, incontinence won’t develop.