With half of the Americans age 60 and above suffering from hemorrhoid, there is no wonder why lots of companies invest for the research and development of various treatments. Some old tricks to get rid of the piles are still used today but there are many new techniques. One does not necessarily need undergo a surgery for severe hemorrhoids, too. As a matter of fact, many physicians would recommend as many non-surgical procedures as possible first. One of the most common options is bipolar electrotherapy for hemorrhoid.
Piles – Those Bleeding Painful Veins
Hemorrhoids can occur in the lower rectum or anus. It occurs when the veins and blood vessels cause the tissues to clump and become abnormal. They are painful. They bleed most of the time but even if they don’t the condition can really become uncomfortable.
Many patients do not seek for treatment. It is not because they do not have the money. Another point is that the treatments are not that expensive. It is mainly because they are shy to admit and to have people (even doctors) knowing what they have in those areas.
Treatments Options That Need to be Considered before Going for Surgery
There are many less painful treatments that one could consider before deciding to undergo a surgery. Some of them are bipolar coagulation, hemorrhoidolysis, rubber banding and super freezing. In fact, these treatments are virtually painless.
Bipolar Electrotherapy/Coagulation
There are two types of coagulation. The first one is monopolar coagulation. The second is bipolar. The latter is great for mild cases. Most physicians consider giving it a try before recommending surgeries.
Bipolar electrotherapy for hemorrhoid is also known as bipolar diathermy, bipolar coagulation and BICAP coagulation (BICAP stands for bipolar circumactive probe). It is a process that involves coagulation effect directly to the mucous membrane, which are near the affected tissues. It is practically a surgical approach but it does not inflict so much pain unlike hemorrhoidectomy and other surgical procedures.
With bipolar electrotherapy, the surgeons use electrical currents that are concentrated on the mucous membrane. The electric current must be applied in a very short period. One to two seconds are ideal. The electric current initiates the heating up of the affected tissues. The proteins from the mucous membrane will also help kill the abnormal tissues.
The procedure is much like photocoagulation except that there is no change to the depth that can be treated even in the subsequent sessions. This is why this treatment is only recommended when the hemorrhoid is not at its worst stage. It is best suitable for grade I and II internal hemorrhoids. It can be applied to grade II piles but prolapsing tissues are less likely to react.
The process is not as effective as other options. First, it does not control bleeding. Rubber banding or ligation even appears to be better in some cases. Second, the rate to which the condition will recur is at 25 to 30 percent.
In addition, studies show that bipolar electrotherapy for hemorrhoid does not come with a lot of complications. Only ten percent of the patients who undergo the procedure develop complications like anal fissure.
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