Non-Surgical Treatment of Hemorrhoids
By: Ricardo G. Cacdac, M.D., FACS

Hemorrhoids have plagued mankind throughout history. Most people will attribute any variety of anal symptoms such as minor itching, rectal bleeding and pain to hemorrhoids. The presence of hemorrhoids is normal for everyone. They are blood vessels that ease the process of a bowel movement. Unfortunately, over time they do become bigger, especially because of constipation and straining. When they do so, they begin causing many symptoms. Large sums of money are spent on products to control and alleviate the symptoms. Often they work but in some instances, they will fail.

The goal of non-surgical procedures to treat hemorrhoids is to reduce the blood supply to them so they will shrink and stop causing symptoms. Presently, I use the infrared photocoagulator. This technology is similar to laser devices and performed in the office setting. It is painless and only takes a few seconds to complete without anesthetic. It is very effective for small symptomatic hemorrhoids. Complications are very infrequent. Most importantly, there is no “downtime” and patients resume normal activities immediately.