Did you know that millions of people suffer from hemorrhoid? If you have piles, you are not alone. About 50 percent of the senior citizens in the United States have them, too. Teens and children are not safe either especially when they engage to poor diet (i.e. lots of junk foods). Even popular people have suffered the same discomfort. A good example is Napoleon Bonaparte. It was said that he was experiencing a lot of pain due to hemorrhoids and cannot ride his horse comfortably during the Battle of Waterloo. George Brett and Former President Jimmy Carter are also known to suffer from piles. Today, one does not have to suffer from so much hurting for a long time because there are many medications and non-surgical treatments like bipolar diathermy for hemorrhoid (also referred to as bipolar electrotherapy and BICAP). Most physicians make surgery as the last resort.
The Need for Bipolar Diathermy
Hemorrhoids are characterized by enlarged veins. They bleed most of the time and can inflict severe pain. There are several stages. The first stage requires mild treatments. Some can be even treated with diet that is more on fiber. The others will require non-operative treatments. For worse cases, the doctors may recommend surgeries that are costly and painful. This is why most patients seek for recommended non-surgical procedures such as bipolar diathermy.
The Procedure
Bipolar diathermy for hemorrhoid uses electric current of very high frequency. The frequency must be high enough to produce heat. The electrical energy is then used to thicken the affected tissues. The heat is applied above the nerves. It is a very easy non-surgical procedure that can be done at the doctor’s office or clinic. If the area aches, the doctor may give analgesic.
However, diathermy is not for all stages of hemorrhoids. They are best used only for internal hemorrhoid. They are great only for small piles and will not work for the big ones. Even if the patient has small clumps of tissues, he or she may need to undergo several treatment sessions.
Effectiveness
In 2011, the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery published and discussed the results of their randomized controlled trial to compare diathermy and closed hemorrhoidectomy using ultrasonic scalpel. The patients have piles ranging from Grade III to IV. The results showed that the diathermy and ultrasonic scalpel closed hemorrhoidectomy gives the same level of pain. The former only appears to be better as it is faster to perform, bloodless, and helps reduce the analgesic requirement because of lower postoperative pain.
In another study pioneered by C.P. Hinton and D.L. Morris, the diathermy and direct current therapy for third degree hemorrhoids were compared. Both treatments were proven to be effective but diathermy was more convenient as it requires less time.
Millions of people suffer from painful masses of tissues in the rectum and/or anus but they are lucky that this condition is treatable. There are many options including bipolar diathermy. This non-operative treatment is not completely pain free but it is faster than other procedures including hemorrhoidectomy and direct current therapy. Bipolar diathermy for hemorrhoid may just require several sessions before one could get rid of all the piles though.
Share this:
