Hemorrhoidsare swollen veins that develop around the anus or inside the lower rectum.
If you have recurringhemorrhoidsthat cause discomfort, you may want to consider medical treatment.
Surgeons use a surgical procedure called hemorrhoid banding to treat internal hemorrhoids (those located in the rectum).
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The treatment is also known as rubber band ligation.
The medical procedure also helps prevent them from coming back.
This article takes a closer look at the hemorrhoid banding procedure along with alternative treatments for hemorrhoids.
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What Is Hemorrhoid Banding?
Hemorrhoid banding is a medical procedure used to treat internal hemorrhoids.
According to a 2019 study, banding is an effective and inexpensive way to treat hemorrhoid symptoms.
A gastroenterologist is a specialist who may perform the procedure.
This cuts off blood flow, which shrinks the hemorrhoid, eventually causing it to disappear completely.
They may use a suction gadget or forceps to hold the hemorrhoid in place and place the rubber band.
Your doctor will use a local anesthetic to minimize pain during the procedure and immediately afterward.
They may also prescribe you a topical ointment to help with post-operative discomfort.
The procedure likely wont last very long, but timing depends on how many hemorrhoids you have.
Recovery
It usually takes about a week for the hemorrhoid tissue to die and fall off.
This will vary from person to person since we all have different pain thresholds.
You may also feel a sense of anal fullness.
Bleeding can also occur.
It may take up to two weeks to heal and recover in some cases.
Electrocoagulation
This procedure is also known as infrared photocoagulation.
It involves using an infrared light beam to burn off internal hemorrhoids.
However, evidence suggests that electrocoagulation isnt as effective and may have a higher failure rate than banding.
Sclerotherapy
This procedure involves injecting the vessels with a chemical solution to shrink and eliminate internal hemorrhoids.
Summary
Hemorrhoid banding is an effective and non-invasive way to treat internal hemorrhoids.
It can be done as an outpatient procedure in your healthcare provider’s office.
Banding cuts off circulation to hemorrhoids.
The banded portion eventually falls off within a week, leaving you hemorrhoid-free.
You may experience some pain and discomfort during and after the procedure.
For most people, healing takes about a week or so.
A Word From Verywell
While hemorrhoids are generally nothing to worry about, they can cause discomfort.
Banding is an effective way to treat internal hemorrhoids that are causing you grief.
Knowing what to expect from the banding procedure can make it less nerve-wracking.
If you have any additional questions about what to expect, dont hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider.
you might expect some degree of pain and discomfort during the procedure and recovery period.
This will depend on the person.
Ask your healthcare provider about whether a local anesthetic is a possibility.
They can also prescribe topical creams to help with any post-procedure pain.
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