Hemorrhoids

NEXT STEPS » A First Visit To The Clinic » Our Examinations » Ask Us A Question » New Patient Form » Coming Here

NOTE : This page is presented as a source of information and guidance, and as a medium of warning, intended to steer you away from the pitfalls of neglect.

Description of Hemorrhoidal Disease
By far, the most common of all rectal ailments is hemorrhoids. A hemorrhoid is a soft pouch or oblong swelling filled with blood from very tiny blood vessels which have become greatly enlarged as the hemorrhoid has developed. It may be as small as a kernel of wheat or as large as a lemon. Hemorrhoids are usually bright or dull red in color but may become purple or even black. They may or may not bleed, and they may protrude (come out or swell up) or they may simply cause "nervousness" or "annoyance" or "pressure at the opening."

As a general rule, by the time I or another physician sees them, most patients' hemorrhoids have been developing for years. To trigger the patient to come in and be examined, they may bleed, cause pain or protrude, but prior to that they give rise to a number of indirect symptoms : 

1. Nervousness
2. Fatigue
3. Dull ache
4. Pressure or uneasiness upon sitting
5. Pressure or weight upon standing
6. Feeling of fullness
7. Something obstructing passage of stool
8. Aching of hips and legs
9. "Tailbone ache"
10. Incomplete evacuation

Then, as hemorrhoids progress, they grow in size and may begin to cause other symptoms. 

1. Pain/bleeding/tenderness during or after bowel movement
2. Difficulty passing stool
3. Persistent itching  

One important note about the symptoms of hemorrhoids is how, at first, they come in repeated attacks followed by periods of relief. These attacks may be as far apart as a year or more at first and when relief comes, the patient is lulled into false sense of security. He mistakenly thinks that his hemorrhoids are gone. Whatever surface cream or ointment he happens to be using at that time gets the credit for “curing” his hemorrhoids.

But this patient probably doesn't realize that his hemorrhoids are still there and that the symptoms temporarily subsided on their own, regardless of what he was putting on them. They will return, worse, during the next period of aggravation.  Even during the periods of remission, the hemorrhoids are gradually increasing in development. As a result, each ‘attack’ will be more severe, lasting longer and the period of relief will be shorter, as the disease progresses. 

So then – when should you have a qualified examination?  As early as possible!  If you suspect you have - or know you have - symptoms that indicate hemorrhoids, the dangers of neglect become very real. 

The time necessary for a complete recovery in an uncomplicated case of hemorrhoids by our non-surgical method, called the Keesey Treatment, is about 10 to 14 days.  One treatment is done per day and steady progress is made.  Sometimes the patient can tolerate two treatments per day.  For patients needing to return home between treatments, we recommend one or two treatments per week.  About 10 treatments are usually required.

Read about the method our staff doctors have used to successfully treat hemorrhoids for over 90 years.  In the Keesey Treatment, an electrical current is applied to the affected area.  It is low-pain, and does not cause bleeding. 

Our Treatment Methods

Diathermy

When To Seek Help

Are You In Pain?