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 How
do I know that I have hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoidal symptoms often begin with painless rectal bleeding. This
blood appears bright red on toilet tissue or stool. Rectal bleeding
may, however, be a symptom of other anal-rectal disorders. It is important
to bring this symptom to your physician's attention when it occurs.
Although some symptomatic hemorrhoids subside within a week or two,
others progress over time: painless bleeding often becomes associated
with rectal itching, discharge, and tissue prolapse (bulging) through
the rectum. When this happens, patients become anxious about what's
happening to their bodies.
What is a hemorrhoid?
A hemorrhoid is an enlarged blood vessel within the anal canal which
has become swollen or inflamed due to an increase in venous pressure.
Although hemorrhoid disease is common, the condition is still seen
as a private ailment, a disease in which the symptoms are more tolerable
than the current methods of treatment. Now, with IRC, there is a new,
painless, nonsurgical device for the effective treatment of hemorrhoids.
With IRC your hemorrhoids can be treated during a regular office visit.
IRC requires no special preparation, no anesthesia, and no medications
or salves.
What is Infrared
Coagulation (IRC)?
IRC is the most widely used office treatment for hemorrhoids. It is
preferred over the other methods because it is fast, well tolerated
by patients, and virtually problem free. A small probe contacts the
area above the hemorrhoid, exposing the tissue to a burst of infrared
light for about one second. This coagulates the vein above the hemorrhoid
causing the hemorrhoid to shrink and recede. The patient may feel
a slight sensation of heat but it is generally not painful. Therefore,
anesthesia is not required.
What should I expect during the procedure?
Treatment with IRC is painless, safe, and effective. Before treatment,
your physician will conduct a routine external and internal examination
to chart your hemorrhoid disease and ensure that there is no other
disease responsible for your symptoms. This examination takes only
a few minutes. |
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