Hemorrhoid Banding

It is important to start treating hemorrhoids as soon as they have been diagnosed and often a change of diet and lifestyle together with basic treatment will help to heal and treat those hemorrhoids. In the case of hemorrhoids that do not respond or have been neglected so that they become severe or chronic, your doctor may well suggest treatment by rubber band ligation or hemorrhoid banding.

Banding hemorrhoids is one of the least expensive and most effective forms of treatment with less risk of complications. However, pain can be a problem.

Hemorrhoid banding is carried out in your doctor’s rooms and he inserts a viewing instrument into the anus. The hemorrhoid is grasped with an instrument while a device places 1 or 2 rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoid which eventually shrinks and dies, falling off after about 7 days have elapsed. A scar forms in place of the hemorrhoid. This is useful because it holds the adjoining veins in place so they don’t bulge into the anal canal.

It is important that the rubber bands are not too tight or too low otherwise the doctor will need to re-apply them in a better position. He will be able to do 1 or 2 hemorrhoids at any one time. After a banding procedure for hemorrhoids is carried out, you can expect to be fully recovered in just a matter of days. Some take just 2 or 3 days to resume normal activity while others might take up to 10 days. There are some useful tips to remember when recovering from hemorrhoid banding:

• Use a sitz bath or sit in a shallow bath or bowl of warm water several times per day to relieve any discomfort.
• Take a mild pain reliever.
• Reduce the risk of bleeding by refraining from taking any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 5 days before and 5 days after hemorrhoid banding.
• Don’t be alarmed if slight bleeding occurs some 7 to 10 days after the procedure when the hemorrhoid falls off. This is normal and will soon stop.
• Ensure regular and easy bowel movements by taking stool softeners if necessary.
• Ensure you have a high bulk diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and fiber and drink plenty of liquids especially water.
• Side effects are unusual but can include severe pain which may not respond to normal or mild pain relief methods; persistent bleeding from the anus; the inability to urinate; or an infection in the anal area. If you suffer from any such side effects, you should contact your doctor for advice.

As such effects do not often occur, you may well decide with the help of your doctor that hemorrhoid banding is the most suitable form of treatment for you.

Once you have recovered from the procedure, it is wise to continue with a healthy diet and an equally healthy lifestyle in order to prevent the recurrence of hemorrhoids.