Does A Hemorrhoid Require Clinical Care?
The idea of seeking hemorrhoid clinical care may sound dramatic, especially if a person isn't experiencing severe pain or discomfort. However, there are many medical reasons to inquire about treatment. Look at the importance of care, what the treatment options might be, and how lifestyle changes may be necessary.
Why Is Clinical Care Necessary?
In extreme cases, hemorrhoids can cause bacteria to come into contact with a person's bloodstream. Many times, the body's immune system will respond to this like it would any infection. That is good in terms of a person not getting sick, but it also means there can be swelling, itching, and bleeding.
Worse, these problems can compound as irritation creates a cycle of further irritation. A hemorrhoid can prolapse, for example, making it a semi-permanent feature until a doctor treats or removes it.
Bear in mind that these issues can appear both inside and outside of the body. Internal hemorrhoid treatment may be necessary to discourage digestive issues and even as a preventative measure against possible cancers.
Treatment
Fortunately, doctors have lots of options for both internal and external hemorrhoid care. A ligation is an option where the doctor effectively ties the hemorrhoid off until it shrivels and goes away. That may sound simple, but handling it incorrectly can leads to infections so only a practitioner should perform the procedure.
Another option is to inject the hemorrhoid with a solution. This can cut off the hemorrhoid's blood supply, leading to a similar outcome as ligation does. A common external hemorrhoid clinical care option is photocoagulation, a process where the doctor uses infrared light to scar the hemorrhoid and cut off its blood supply. Doctors can perform a similar treatment using an electrical current, too.
Some cases are extreme enough to require an outpatient surgery known as a hemorrhoidectomy. If the hemorrhoid is prolapsed and near the sphincter, the doctor may also need to staple it to ensure it stays in the patient's body.
Follow-Up Care
Many habits and lifestyles can encourage hemorrhoids. If a person's diet is low in fiber or high in alcoholic drinks, for example, this can create issues. A doctor will strongly encourage them to adjust their consumption to reduce the internal sources of irritation. Folks with other digestive issues may also need prescription medicines to control those.
A doctor and a patient may also discuss lifestyle and work changes. For example, people who lift heavy loads all day on their jobs are at greater risk. They may need to adjust how they handle their work.
For more info about hemorrhoid clinical care, contact a local professional.