Advances in Non-Invasive Treatments for Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids- those painful, swollen veins in the lower rectum that people actually discuss as a severe medical condition are actually more common than people realise. It’s estimated that around 5% of the population suffers from haemorrhoids at any given time. Let’s take a closer look at what haemorrhoids are and how they affect so many.

Understanding Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are a common anorectal disease which occurs when the veins in the rectal area swell as a result of increased pressure. To make it more clear, let’s first understand what the anal canal is. 

The anal canal is the end portion of the gastrointestinal tract, which, in adults, measures about 2.5 to 4 cm in length. It works as the passage for defecation; that is, stool exiting the body and for which it is surrounded by muscles and structures that control continence (ability to hold stool). 

Inside the anal canal are hemorrhoidal cushions, which are collections of blood vessels and connective tissue that play a role in maintaining continence. When these cushions become swollen, they form haemorrhoids.

Common Symptoms and Causes of Haemorrhoids

When discussing the most common presentation of haemorrhoids, patients often complain about painless rectal bleeding that occurs in association with bowel movements. However, some of the common symptoms which may indicate haemorrhoids include:

• Itching or irritation in the anal area
• Discomfort or pain during or after bowel movements
• Swelling or a lump around the anus, which may feel tender
• Bright red blood after a bowel movement
• Mucus discharge
• A sensation of incomplete evacuation even after passing stool

They also describe this condition as blood dripping into the toilet bowl. The blood is usually bright red because the arteriovenous tissue is directly communicated with the tissue of the haemorrhoid.

Now, what makes people more prone to this condition?

Many women get haemorrhoids during pregnancy and childbirth when they put extra stress on the blood vessels in the pelvic area. Sometimes, straining to push the baby out when giving birth also puts extra pressure on these blood vessels, leading to haemorrhoids.

However, you should also remember that haemorrhoids don’t just appear out of nowhere—they’re often the result of your everyday habits and factors that you might not even realise. Some of the causes which might be a warning sign for haemorrhoids include:

Putting excess straining during bowel movements

If you’re someone who puts excess strain during bowel movement, whether it’s due to constipation or simply spending too much time on the toilet, it may lead to excess strain on your lower portion, including the anal tissues. This leads to swelling and may ultimately cause the dreaded haemorrhoids. The harder you push, the more chances are there for those sensitive veins to swell.

Prolonged sitting

Sometimes, we are so occupied with an interesting book or binge-watching our favourite series, totally unaware that hours are slipping and we are still glued to our chairs in constant position. It sounds harmless, right? But do you know that prolonged sitting can lead to some unexpected consequences, including haemorrhoids? 

When you sit for extended periods, especially on the toilet, pressure builds up in the veins of your rectal area. This pressure can cause those veins to swell and become inflamed, leading to discomfort and itching, and, yes, in critical situations, even bleeding- the classical signs of haemorrhoids.

Chronic constipation or diarrhoea

The two most common digestive system issues- constipation and diarrhoea—can cause haemorrhoids. When you’re suffering from constipation, you’ll put some additional strain on your rectal tissue during bowel movement, causing it to swell. This swelling may be an early sign of haemorrhoids. Similarly, frequent bowel movements during diarrhoea can irritate the anal region, causing inflammation and swelling.

Low-fibre diet 

Fibre, present in fruits and vegetables, plays a crucial role in promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. If you’re someone who is not consuming enough fibre in your diet, it could be an alarming sign for you. 

Without enough fibre, stools become harder and more difficult to pass, increasing the likelihood of straining. A low-fibre diet often leads to constipation, which is a major cause of haemorrhoid development.

Heavy Lifting and Obesity

Whether it’s weights at the gym or heavy objects in daily life, lifting improperly or too frequently can increase abdominal pressure, which may lead to haemorrhoids. Even your excess body weight puts added pressure on the pelvic and rectal area, which can contribute to haemorrhoid formation.

Ageing and genetic factors

Like many parts of the body, veins in the rectum can weaken over time. As we age, tissues lose their elasticity, making it easier for haemorrhoids to form, especially if other risk factors such as obesity and genetic factors are there. Unfortunately, some people are just predisposed to developing haemorrhoids, if they have a family history of haemorrhoids.

Non-Invasive Treatments for Haemorrhoids

While haemorrhoids still give people shivers just by mentioning the word, the reality is that modern haemorrhoid treatments are far advanced from painful surgery. Nowadays, with non-invasive options coming first, managing and treating haemorrhoids never went this easy while always providing maximal comfort and minimal downtime. 

Let us look into how one can manage haemorrhoids along with medicinal and therapeutic approaches,

Lifestyle and dietary interventions

Since a sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of haemorrhoid development, non-invasive treatments for haemorrhoids often begin with lifestyle and dietary changes. Some of the most effective lifestyle and dietary interventions can help alleviate symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening include:

• Fibre-rich diet: Consuming a high fibre diet can help soften stools, thus reducing straining during bowel movements. Such foods which are high in fibre include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, may help alleviate haemorrhoids to some extent.
• Hydration and regular fluid intake: Drinking enough water promotes regular bowel movements, which can minimise one of the main contributors to haemorrhoid development, i.e., straining
• Exercise: Although often overlooked, regular physical activity can encourage normal bowel movement and thus reduce venous pressure in the rectal area.

Topical therapy

While lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments are essential from the perspective of long-term management of haemorrhoids, topical therapies, a non-invasive temporary treatment serve as a frontline defence for providing immediate relief. 

This treatment approach involves applying creams, ointments, or suppositories directly to the affected area to reduce symptoms such as inflammation, itching, and pain.

Some of the most common ingredients of topical therapy include:

• Hydrocortisone

This is a steroid that reduces inflammation as well as itching in the anal region by suppressing the immune system’s response to inflammation.

• Witch Hazel

This is a natural ingredient that reduces inflammation and itching by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling of the nala region.

• Lidocaine

This is a local anaesthetic that numbs pain and discomfort by blocking nerve signals that send the signals for pain.

Pillow suppositories

Another form of topical therapy via which analgesic and sedative medications are administered rectally. These suppositories provide relief from haemorrhoids by reducing pain, inflammation, and discomfort in the anal area.

Sitz baths

A sitz bath is, basically, a therapeutic soak in warm water that covers the pelvic region. It can be done in a bathtub or using a special sitz bath basin that fits over the toilet. The warm water helps soothe irritated anal tissues and provides a sense of relief from the symptoms of haemorrhoids.

Non-Surgical Procedures for Haemorrhoids Treatment

Unlike surgical procedures such as hemorrhoidectomy, stapled hemorrhoidopexy, non-surgical procedures, due to their minimal invasiveness, have gained popularity in recent years. Some of the most common non-surgical procedures include:

While non-invasive treatments have shown significant advances in recent years, surgical options are still available for large, painful, or recurrent haemorrhoids that cannot be treated with other treatments.

Rubber band ligation

This minimally invasive procedure is used to treat internal haemorrhoids with a success rate of more than 80%.

During the procedure, a doctor puts the patient on local anaesthesia and then inserts a small instrument into the rectum to identify the position of the haemorrhoid. 

A rubber band is placed around the base of the haemorrhoid to block its blood supply completely. With time, the haemorrhoid shrinks and falls off from its location.

This procedure requires less than 15 minutes and is often performed in outpatient settings.

Sclerotherapy

This involves the injection of a sclerosant solution that irritates the haemorrhoid blood vessels.

A proctoscope is inserted into the anus to locate the haemorrhoids, after which the sclerosant solution is injected, which damages the blood vessels that feed the haemorrhoid, causing it to shrink.

With a success rate ranging between 70-90%, the procedure is quick and doesn’t require anaesthesia.

Infrared coagulation (IRC)

Infrared coagulation (IRC) is a technique that uses infrared light to thermally coagulate and shrink the hemorrhoidal tissue.

With studies indicating its 70-80% effectiveness, this non-invasive procedure destroys the small to medium-sized internal haemorrhoids in patients who have not undergone anal surgery previously.

Bipolar diathermy

This is an emerging technology that utilises electrical currents to generate heat within the hemorrhoidal tissue. Like in the case of IRC, the heat effectively coagulates and shrinks the haemorrhoidal tissue. 

With minimal discomfort during the procedure, it allows for quicker recovery so that the patients resume normal activities within a short period.

Though some patients still need to undergo surgery for the treatment of haemorrhoids, many haemorrhoid patients can successfully manage their symptoms with the approaches discussed above.

The cost of hemorrhoidectomy in India and other countries such as Germany, Turkey and Thailand depends on the type of haemorrhoids (internal or external) as well as the size of haemorrhoids.

Conclusion

For those carrying around the pain and irritation of haemorrhoids, a non-invasive course of treatment can be very relaxing- after all, gaining control over your life and your comfort back is some relief. 

You don’t have to live with this for the rest of your life-these gentle treatments bring hope, healing, and the chance to live without the burden of discomfort.