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Causes
Hemorrhoids (also called piles) develop when the veins in the rectum and anal canal expand and stretch due to pressure. Straining while using the bathroom, pregnancy, prolonged sitting, obesity, diarrhea or continuous loose stools, and low fiber diet can cause this pressure. Hemorrhoids can also be hereditary.
Anatomy
 If a hemorrhoid forms at the top of the anal canal it is known as an internal hemorrhoid. Internal hemorrhoids often bleed and discharge mucus.
If it forms at the lower end of the anal canal closer to the actual anus it is known as an external hemorrhoid. These hemorrhoids cause sudden and severe pain, and swelling.
While a hemorrhoid is forming the blood vessels in the anus swell and supporting tissue increases in size. The mass of blood vessels and tissue that forms, sticks out in the anal canal where it begins causing problems and becomes a hemorrhoid.
Grading Hemorrhoids
Your doctor will evaluate your hemorrhoids and give them a “grade”. This grade is based on the severity of the hemorrhoids.
- Grade I
- Hemorrhoids are present in the anal canal only.
- Grade II
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These hemorrhoids may descend from the anus while straining during bowel movements. They shrink back into the anal canal when straining stops.
- Grade III
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Descend from the anus during straining or on their own. They can be pushed back into the anus as well.
- Grade IV
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These hemorrhoids have both internal and external components and they can not be reduced. Grade IV hemorrhoids are known to be very painful and usually require rapid medical attention.
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Infrared Coagulation
At the Chicago Vein Institute we use infrared coagulation to treat hemorrhoids.
Infrared coagulation (IRC) is a quick, easy, painless, non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment for hemorrhoids that works for about 90% of patients. The FDA-approved IRC procedure takes only about 10 minutes per session and doesn't require any fasting, medication, or other preparation. This means busy patients can come in for treatment during lunch breaks or between appointments and return to their normal schedules in half an hour.
During the IRC procedure, the area directly above the hemorrhoid is exposed to a few short bursts of warm, painless infrared light. The blood in the small veins above the hemorrhoid absorb the energy and dry out, or coagulate (hence the name of the procedure), cutting off blood flow to the hemorrhoid. Over a series of treatment sessions the hemorrhoid shrivels and is re-absorbed into the mucous of the anal canal, eliminating most or all painful symptoms.
Optimal Nonsurgical Treatment of Hemorrhoids: A Comparative Analysis of Infrared Coagulation, Rubber Band Ligation, and Injection Sclerotherapy.
Despite an abundance of nonsurgical hemorrhoid therapies, none has been consistently more efficacious. By combining data from multiple clinical trials in a meta-analysis, the present study compared the efficacy and complications of infrared coagulation, injection sclerotherapy, and rubber band ligation to determine the optimal non-operative hemorrhoid treatment.
All published clinical trials comparing the three methods were identified by computer search and review of appropriate English language journals. Five trials studying 863 patients satisfied all inclusion criteria. Results demonstrated that similar numbers of patients wee asymptomatic 12 months after treatment, regardless of initial therapy. However, significantly fewer patients undergoing rubber band ligation required additional treatment because symptoms had recurred.
Although rubber band ligation demonstrated greater long-term efficacy, it was associated with a significantly higher incidence of post treatment pain. In contrast, infrared coagulation was associated with both fewer and less severe complications. Thus, when all factors are considered, infrared coagulation may in fact be the optimal non-operative hemorrhoid treatment.
For a complete report see;
The American Journal Of Gastroenterology Vol.87.No11.2002
http://starpoli.com/roids.html |
Financing
The cost is about one-fourth the cost of traditional hospital surgery and is covered by most commercial insurance companies as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express and personal checks.
We also offer financing through and Chase Health Advance.
Please call our office at 1-773-506-7340 so that we could determine together which option is best for you. If you do not have insurance coverage, please contact us to discuss your options.
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