Treatment Options
There is no guaranteed way of preventing piles, but a high fibre diet is a good place to start. This will reduce the risk of constipation and the straining to pass a stool that can cause haemorrhoids.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions every day)
- Cut down on fat (especially animal fat), sugary food, refined and processed food
- Eat plenty of pulses (e.g. peas, beans, lentils)
- Eat plenty of wholegrain foods (use the wholemeal varieties of bread, pasta and breakfast cereals)
- Drink alcohol in moderation
Medication
For most people with haemorrhoids, the condition is mild and can be treated with over the counter (OTC) medicines that tackle the symptoms, usually in the form of ointments or suppositories.
Various preparations and brands are commonly used. They do not ‘cure’ haemorrhoids. However, they may ease symptoms such as discomfort and itch. A bland soothing cream, ointment, or suppository may ease discomfort. They can be used as often as you like. Several brands are available without a prescription.
One that contains an anaesthetic may ease pain better. You should only use these for short periods at a time (5-7 days). If you use it for longer, the anaesthetic may irritate or sensitise the skin around the anus. One that contains a steroid may be prescribed by a doctor if there is a lot of inflammation around the haemorrhoids. Steroids reduce inflammation and may help to reduce any swelling around a haemorrhoid. This may help to ease itch and pain. You should not normally use these for longer than one week at a time.
Very painful prolapsed haemorrhoids are uncommon. The pain may be eased by an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) pressed on for 15-30 minutes. Strong painkillers may be needed.
Haemorrhoids caused by pregnancy usually settle after the birth of the child. Treatment is similar to the above.
Injection Sclerotherapy
Injection of a ‘sclerosing’ (shrinking) chemical into the haemorrhoid.
This treatment aims to chemically shrink the haemorrhoids by cutting of the blood supply. Commonly repeat treatments are required and the benefit is sometimes only short lived. What is HAL-RAR?
Banding treatment
This procedure is usually done by a surgeon in an outpatient clinic. A pile is grasped by the surgeon with forceps or a suction device. A rubber band is then placed at the base of the pile. This cuts off the blood supply to the pile which then ‘dies’ and drops off after a few days. The tissue at the base of the haemorrhoid heals with some scar tissue.
Banding is a common treatment for large internal and early prolapsing haemorrhoids. It may also be done to smaller piles which have not settled with the measures described above (increase in fibre etc).
Banding of haemorrhoids is often painless as the base of the haemorrhoid originates above the anus opening – in the very last part of the gut where the gut lining is not sensitive to pain. A small number of people have complications following banding such as urinary problems, or infection or ulcers forming at the site of a treated haemorrhoid. If the band is accidentally placed too low it can be very painful until the band drops off. Rarely, the band erodes through one of the arteries supplying a haemorrhoid and can result in a large haemorrhage requiring hospital treatment.
Generally banding is more successful than injection therapy but may at times be painful, and in more advanced cases, can require multiple applications and numerous visits to your specialist. What is HAL-RAR?
Formal Surgical Removal (Haemorrhoidectomy)
An operation to cut away the haemorrhoid(s) is an option to treat very large internal piles and prolapsing piles not successfully treated by banding or other methods. This is done under general anaesthetic and is usually successful at removing the piles.
It is however very painful for up to six weeks after the surgery whilst the wounds heal and patients may not return to work for many weeks. What is HAL-RAR?
Laser Haemorrhoidplasty
Laser Haemorrhoidplasty ia a relatively new procedure for haemorrhoid treatment, which aims to reduce the blood flow to the affected area by dilating the blood vessels.
General anaesthesia is used to keep the patient comfortable, and a thin laser fibre is inserted into the anus to treat the haemorrhoids.
The laser fibre is used to shrink the haemorrhoids from the inside out, it is strategically placed in the middle of each haemorrhoid and the laser radiation is activated which causes them to slowly revert to their normal size. This cuts off the blood supply to the engorged haemorrhoids and within a few days symptoms from the haemorrhoids should decrease significantly. What is HAL-RAR?
Important Disclaimer
The information contained within this website is intended as a source of general reference material only. Do not rely on this information as a source of medical opinion. Nothing contained within this website should be construed as medical fact. If you have any symptoms whatsoever you are urged to visit your medical specialist or GP. Within this website you will see the term HAL-RAR. This refers to Haemorrhoid Artery Ligation – Recto Anal Repair.
Request Patient Information
If you would like to receive a patient information booklet on the HAL-RAR procedure, please find a treatment centre and request more information from your preferred doctor.
