Hemorrhoids, Is Surgery Necessary?

Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the anus. They are common and can be found in 5-20% of people. Symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids may also cause itching, burning, and a feeling that something is protruding from the anal area (something you should not put your finger on). 

When does a hemorrhoid become bad enough for surgery? 

The decision to undergo surgery depends on several factors such as:

1)  Symptoms Severity

2) Quality of Treatment Results

3) Other Health Conditions

4) Age/Health Status

When the above factors indicate no other treatment option available, surgery may be tried. Hemorrhoid symptoms severity is determined by how much pain and bleeding are caused in your life. Treatment results are measured by whether or not they went away after previous treatments.

Suppose you do not get any relief from these types of home remedies, and the hemorrhoids persist to a level that causes discomfort in your daily life. In that case, it’s time to seek medical attention. Other health conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it’s essential to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis before taking any actions. 

Your doctor will conduct hemorrhoids tests to determine the treatment. Age also plays a role in symptom severity; younger people are less likely to have surgery since the symptoms tend to go away as age increases. 

Hemorrhoid surgery is performed under anesthesia either in an outpatient or inpatient setting, depending on the number of surgeries that are being done at once. 

There are two main types of surgeries: Rubber band ligation and removal of the hemorrhoids. Both procedures involve stopping the blood supply to the hemorrhoidal tissue, causing the tissue to die and be removed from the body.

Hemorrhoidectomy surgery removes hemorrhoidal tissue with a scalpel during an open incision. In banding hemorrhoid removal, a rubber band is placed around the base of hemorrhoids, causing them to degenerate.  Surgery recovery will depend on your overall health and age. Expect 4-6 weeks for complete recovery.

Is It Necessary To Get Hemorrhoid Surgery?

Hemorrhoids surgeries are generally safe procedures that have been performed for decades. Hemorrhoids may improve symptoms, but they are likely to come back in some people after surgery. The best option for treating them is through dietary and lifestyle changes. Here are the natural treatment options that can help you cure your hemorrhoids:

1) Lose Weight – Age and lack of exercise play a role in it, so don’t ignore them when deciding whether or not to lose weight. If you do nothing else from this list of home remedies, make sure you lose weight if needed.

A pound per week is a good treatment goal. Symptoms will decrease as weight decreases since surgery is more effective on minor hemorrhoid tissue. Surgery recovery time may be longer. However, they will not come back if you maintain your weight using these remedies.

2) Switch to a Hemorrhoid-Safe Diet – Adding fiber to your diet can be helpful for many people struggling with symptoms. Fiber bulks up the stool and helps it pass more quickly through the digestive tract, reducing strain and lessening pain during bowel movements. Drinking water with fiber also softens stools, and symptoms will improve.

Surgery recovery time is generally shortened when you make these natural treatment changes since they are due to diet and lifestyle changes. Many doctors recommend adding fiber to your diet even if you don’t suffer from Hemorrhoids.

Specifically, high fiber diets lower the risk of colon cancer by 40 percent. Bulk-forming fibers like Metamucil or Citrucel absorb water in your intestines, reducing straining during bowel movements. Psyllium husk contains mucilage that swells with water, softening stools. When added to your diet, psyllium husk may reduce pain and inflammation.

Ask your doctor about HemWell, an FDA-approved, pain-free treatment that’s permanent. If your provider doesn’t offer HemWell, we can assist you in finding one that does. Please visit our website to learn more about this life-changing treatment. Learn more about hemorrhoids.