How to properly treat haemorrhoids in men

Haemorrhoids are a common colorectal condition affecting both men and women. Estimates of prevalence depend on age, how the condition is defined and how people are examined. The claim that 80% of patients do not seek help is not supported by the cited sources. Self-treatment and postponing a consultation can delay identification of the cause of symptoms. Bleeding, persistent pain or prolapsing tissue should prompt medical assessment rather than waiting for severe symptoms.Related reading: haemorrhoids in men

Causes of disease development

Haemorrhoidal disease is common in both sexes. It should not be explained by claims that men are affected three to five times more often or that women naturally have stronger blood vessels: these claims lack convincing support. Pregnancy itself can increase the risk of symptoms. Assessment should focus on straining, prolonged sitting on the toilet, constipation or diarrhoea, diet and age-related changes. The circumstances listed below should be discussed individually; not all are established independent causes of haemorrhoids:Related reading: haemorrhoids in women

• sedentary lifestyle, desk job;
• improper diet, in particular – overconsumption of spicy, canned, fatty, fried, smoked food;
• excess body weight and dietary habits, assessed alongside other factors; abdominal obesity occurs in both men and women;
• diseases of the pelvic organs (prostate adenoma, prostatitis);
• chronic cough, as a result of which the pelvic floor muscles are constantly strained;
• bad habits (smoking, alcoholism);
• heredity;
• engagement in certain types of sports (weightlifting, cycling, and horseback riding);
• frequent lifting and moving of heavy objects at home and at work;
• tendency to constipation;
• chronic stress, nervous overload.

Haemorrhoidal vascular cushions are a normal part of the anal canal. Symptoms can develop when these cushions enlarge or move and their supporting tissue changes. The condition has several contributing factors; the circumstances listed above do not inevitably stretch the veins or weaken the muscles in every patient.

Symptoms of Haemorrhoids in Men

The main manifestations of haemorrhoids in men depend on the stage of the disease:

• initially there is discomfort in the anal area (burning, itching), as well as occasional swelling and bleeding of haemorrhoids. A feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation often occurs;
• the second stage is characterized by the above symptoms with added aching, pulling pain. More blood and mucus are released during defecation, the nodes prolapse but then retract on their own;
• The third stage is characterized by frequent recurrence of bleeding and the development of anemia. The haemorrhoids that prolapse during defecation do not retract on their own;
• prolapse of haemorrhoids and bleeding in the fourth stage of haemorrhoid development become constant symptoms, accompanied by severe pain. Thrombosis may form in haemorrhoids, and infection can lead to paraproctitis. If the nodes become entrapped, pain and swelling increase.

Is it possible to treat haemorrhoids in men at home

Self-medicating for haemorrhoids is a dangerous idea for men. There is a great risk of not only not improving your condition, but also significantly worsening it. The right decision is to contact a proctologist and follow his recommendations. In the initial stages of the disease, the doctor can prescribe conservative treatment methods that temporarily ensure the patient’s normal well-being:

• if haemorrhoids prolapse, you can apply cold compresses several times a day to reduce pain and inflammation;
• immediately after defecation, you can take warm sitz baths for 10 – 15 minutes;
• for drug treatment, it is recommended to use local agents with an analgesic, astringent, protective, anti-inflammatory effect – ointments, gels, suppositories, creams;
• a good result in the chronic form of haemorrhoids and during its exacerbations is achieved with oral administration of venotonics. Manifestations of the disease become less pronounced, it does not progress as quickly.

However, conservative treatment provides only a temporary effect. A radical solution to the problem is possible only through surgical intervention.

Effective and quick treatment of haemorrhoids in men

Haemorrhoids are a disease that is easiest to treat in the early stages. That is why, when the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to discard inappropriate shyness and seek help from a reliable medical clinic. At an early stage, the problem can be solved in the most “soft” ways. But even if the disease is advanced, the capabilities of modern medicine make it possible to get rid of it quickly and effectively.

In our clinic, the following techniques are used for surgical removal of haemorrhoids:

• operation using the HAL-RAR;
• Thrombosed external node – thrombectomy according to indications;
• Longo operation in selected patients with internal prolapse;
• transanal Doppler-controlled desarterization of internal haemorrhoids;
• 3-4 stage surgery Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy using the Liga Sure device.

Also in our clinic we successfully treat the following diseases:

• acute anal fissure;
• chronic anal fissure (its excision is performed with dosed sphincterotomy);
• pararectal fistulas;
• epithelial coccygeal ducts;
• presacral cyst (we remove it using laparoscopic access).

When performing all surgical interventions for the purpose of pain relief, we use spinal-epidural anesthesia with placement of an epidural block. Its advantages can be considered:

• individually selected pain relief during the intervention and a pain control plan after it; the severity of discomfort depends on the method and course of recovery;
• the patient can breathe independently during the surgery;
• after stopping the administration of the anesthetic drug with this type of anesthesia, the patient’s sensitivity quickly recovers;
• there are no side effects that occur with general anesthesia (nausea, vomiting, sore throat, drowsiness).

After the surgery, our patients stay in comfortable rooms equipped with everything necessary. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, discharge is possible within 1-3 days. Subsequently, it will be necessary to visit the doctor according to the schedule set by them and follow all their recommendations.