HEMORRHOIDS &
HEMORRHOID BANDING
Hemorrhoids are normal and everybody has hemorrhoids in the anal canal. There are internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Only internal hemorrhoids can be treated by banding due to the presence of many more nerve endings in external hemorrhoids that would make it too painful.
Internal hemorrhoids are a combination of small arteries, veins, elastic and muscle tissue. These fill with blood when you bear down and push. Hemorrhoids also contribute to your ability to hold your bowels.
What are Hemorrhoids?
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
As we age, and particularly with a low fibre diet and straining, injury and inflammation break down the tiny muscle fibres that help to hold the arteries and veins in place. The arteries and veins then pool with blood and start hanging down.
This can be caused by:
Pregnancy and childbirth
Prolonged straining to pass stools (If you suffer constipation)
Obesity
Diet low in fibre
Chronic diarrhea
Symptoms include:
Bleeding
Fullness
Itchiness
Swelling
Why Banding Works Best
Banding is a procedure where tiny rubber bands are applied to the tissue just above the hemorrhoids themselves. It has been shown to be the easiest and most effective treatment for most symptomatic hemorrhoids.
There is no cost at our clinic for hemorrhoid banding as it is covered by OHIP in Ontario.
You DO NEED A REFERRAL FROM YOUR GP OR DOCTOR and then we will take care of the rest to get you the relief you need.
Once the band is applied the tiny amount of tissue within the band is constricted and will die. This causes a reaction of inflammation that results in scar tissue being formed. The scar tissue causes retraction of the hemorrhoids below, pulling them up and effectively taking the place of the tiny muscles that are degraded. This process takes about a week.
Once the band is applied the tiny amount of tissue within the band is constricted and will die. This causes a reaction of inflammation that results in scar tissue being formed. The scar tissue causes retraction of the hemorrhoids below, pulling them up and effectively taking the place of the tiny muscles that are degraded. This process takes about a week.
The band is expected to fall off. This can happen at any time from a few hours to days after the procedure. Do not worry if you see the band fall off. Even if it has been on for only a short time it may still have done its job.
Who Should Consider Banding and Who Shouldn’t?
Hemorrhoid banding is effective for 8 out of 10 people in general. The banding procedure sometimes needs to be repeated 3 or 4 times over a couple of months to obtain maximum effectiveness for some patients.
There are other treatments available and we will shortly produce a video that explains these other options.
FACT: Not everyone who is suffering from hemorrhoids should necessarily have banding. The medical literature is very clear that if you change your diet to a very high fibre diet you will likely significantly reduce your symptoms. There are many advantages to maintaining a very high fibre diet.
The safest and most convenient procedure is the one that is never performed.
DOING THE BANDING
There are many different types of banding devices. There are devices that work with an anoscope that is placed within the anal canal and there are devices that will work without an anoscope.
Banding without an anoscope
Banding with an anoscope
Sedation
Banding can be done with or without sedation. Some people find that they are more comfortable if it is done with sedation given the sensitivity of the area. Everyone is different.
For those who do choose to have the banding done without any sedation the worst part will be simply having a device within the anal canal. Putting the bands on the tissue itself is actually painless. If there is pain the bands are in the wrong place. If this occurs you should alert the doctor immediately.
After the procedure you should have no pain whatsoever. A few patients may have a slight sensation of fullness in the rectum. That should be the absolute maximum of your symptoms after the procedure.
Maintaining a high-fiber diet and avoiding straining is a very important part of the therapy. Maintaining a high-fiber diet is absolutely critical to preventing future episodes of bleeding.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
Knowing the Risks with Banding
The most important risk of which to be aware of is the extraordinarily tiny risk of significant infection. It is important that you are aware of the possible signs of infection. In general there are 3 reasons to seek immediate attention after hemorrhoid banding. These include:
Pain in the rectum
Fever
Difficulty with urination
If you have any of these signs immediately after, or within a number of days, of the hemorrhoid banding you should seek attention immediately, even going to the emergency department.
A small amount of bleeding immediately after the procedure, or a few days or even a week later, as the band and tissue fall off is expected. If you have copious amounts of bleeding this is unexpected and you should seek attention.
For those of you interested in more detail please click this link below.