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Laser Treatment for Hemorrhoids

Introduction

Most people who suffer from hemorrhoids, also referred to as hemroids, will seek some sort of treatment to relieve the pain and discomfort that typically accompany the condition.  The most appropriate treatment method will vary, depending upon the type and severity of the hemorrhoids involved.  In mild cases of hemroids, that treatment may consist of Sitz baths, cold compresses, diet and lifestyle changes or topical medications.

For more advanced cases of hemroids, where symptoms are severe and pain and discomfort are interfering with your daily life, more invasive treatment methods may be required.  One such method that has been gaining popularity in recent years is laser treatment for hemroids.

Laser Treatment

In laser treatment, a doctor uses a small precise beam of light to vaporize or excise hemorrhoidal tissue.  There are actually two types of hemroids treatments involving a laser: laser coagulation therapy and laser excision.

In laser coagulation therapy, the laser is actually used to create scar tissue which cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoidal tissue, causing it to eventually shrink up and die.  The scar tissue also acts to prevent future hemorrhoids from occurring by strengthening the anal walls, thus preventing the veins there from bulging and developing into hemroids.

In laser excision, the laser beam is actually used to vaporize the hemroids altogether.  The hemorrhoidal tissue is completely removed, right away.

There are many advantages to using laser treatment on hemorrhoids.  Laser surgery results in much less post-operative pain, and the recovery time is also shorter than other hemorrhoids treatment methods such as conventional hemorrhoid surgery or hemorrhoidectomy.  The laser cauterizes the wound as it makes its incision, so you do not have to deal with bleeding and the possibility of infection as you do with some other hemroids treatments.  There is also less chance of complications developing, and less chance that a hospital stay will be necessary post-procedure.  Most patients go home right after the laser procedure and need only minimal medication for pain management after the treatment.  Furthermore, the risk of reoccurrence of your hemorrhoids is small, and that can in turn mean that the treatment ends up costing less than other hemroids treatments that you have to repeat.

It is always best to try less invasive hemroids treatment such as medications, diet and lifestyle changes or natural remedies first, especially if you hemroids are in an early stage.  But if your hemroids have not responded to medication, or have reached a more advanced stage where symptoms are interfering with your daily life, one of the laser treatment methods might be right for you.  Lasers are very effective at treating hemorrhoids, and can help you get back to your daily routine with minimal downtime.

If you are seriously considering laser treatment for your hemorrhoids, always discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your physician.  He or she will be able to tell you if laser treatment is right for your individual hemorrhoids condition.