Do I Need To Go For Surgery To Treat Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids, or piles, develop when the clusters of veins in the lowest part of the rectum and anus become swollen. It is a common condition that becomes even more common with age, especially for adults in the 45 to 65 age bracket. However, it’s not unusual for younger adults to have them too.

Pile symptoms generally clear up on their own with at-home approaches and can be continually kept at bay with lifestyle and dietary changes. According to one research, less than 10 per cent of people with haemorrhoids eventually require medical intervention.

Still, it may be difficult for some people to remain unconcerned about their condition since they may find the pain and discomfort past bearing. They may also be worried about typical yet shocking symptoms, such as rectal bleeding. Indeed, several gastrointestinal diseases have symptoms similar to haemorrhoids; thus, it’s only fitting to ask if their own symptoms are a cause for concern.

The four-point scale

Haemorrhoid symptoms vary in size and development. Medical professionals generally grade them on a four-degree scale. If someone has Grade III or Grade IV haemorrhoids, doctors will often recommend specific procedures or surgical treatment.

Grade I: Piles are not prolapsed (they do not emerge out of the anus).

Grade II: Piles may prolapse when strained during bowel movements but can shrink and retract after.

Grade III: Piles prolapse and may not retract independently but can still recede with manual intervention.

Grade IV: Piles prolapse outside the anus and cannot be pushed back in. They are large, distended, and irreducible.

Surgical treatments and other procedures

The four-point scale is significant in considering the appropriate treatment for prolapsed haemorrhoids. There is a wide range of minor procedures and surgical treatments that correspond with the grade of the haemorrhoid and the severity of the patient’s condition.

Non-surgical (minor) procedures

Sclerotherapy: A liquid chemical is injected into the swollen piles to make them shrink and eventually shrivel up.

Rubber band ligation: A small rubber band is placed around the haemorrhoid’s base to cut blood supply to the swollen vein. The pile typically falls off in up to 10 days.

Electrotherapy: A gentle electric current is applied to the piles to stop blood flow and make them shrink. It is synonymous with diathermy, which uses heat energy to destroy the haemorrhoid tissue.

Infrared coagulation:A surgeon uses an infrared light probe that transmits heat to burn the haemorrhoid tissue. It cuts off blood circulation to the haemorrhoid and shrinks it.

The above procedures may be variously effective for Grades I to III haemorrhoids.

Surgical treatment

Haemorrhoidectomy: The complete surgical removal of the haemorrhoids or the total removal of the affected tissue. It removes large external piles or prolapsed internal ones. It is said to be the most effective option in eliminating piles but has side effects, including pain in the days following the operation and difficulty with passing stools.

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: The removal of piles using a unique stapler instrument that pulls a prolapsed haemorrhoid back inside the anus and reduces blood supply to the affected area so it shrinks. It is described as being a less painful procedure than haemorrhoidectomy.

When should you visit the A&E?

You should head up to your doctor’s clinic if your symptoms change rapidly and if you experience severe pain, unstoppable bleeding, and see large blood clots on your toilet bowl from rectal bleeding.

Conclusion

If you are considering a haemorrhoid treatment, you may want to speak with your doctor about potential risks, side effects, and the haemorrhoids treatment cost in Singapore. Do not be hesitant to speak to your doctor if you are in any way concerned about your symptoms. Even if it is just to help relieve haemorrhoid pain and discomfort, your healthcare provider will have all the instruments that help.