June 21, 2005
Hemorrhoid Treatment can be Painless with Non-Surgical Infrared Coagulation (IRC) Technology
Knowing the Common Causes of Hemorrhoids May Help Prevent the Painful Disease
(Falls Church, VA) According to the Hemorrhoid Relief Center, over 123,000 Americans every year will undergo surgery for hemorrhoid disease. While an estimated eight out ten people throughout their lifetimes will suffer from hemorrhoids, only a fraction will seek medical treatment due to embarrassment or fear of painful surgery. However, while millions more self-medicate, often with little or no relief using nonprescription ointments and suppositories, hemorrhoids left untreated will progress to the point where the only option is surgery.
“Many hemorrhoid sufferers could have avoided the pain with a simple change in lifestyle, early detection, and even a change in treatment,” states Hemorrhoid Relief Center Medical Director, Dr. Terri Matin.
“With early detection, a patient with hemorrhoids, is usually able to undergo a painless and non-invasive, non-surgical treatment using infrared coagulation (IRC). Depending on the severity of the hemorrhoid, an IRC treatment generally lasts about ten minutes, and the patient is free to return to normal activity without painful recovery or downtime,” says Dr. Matin.
“While thousands of Americans undergo hemorrhoid surgery each year – many doctors who are not familiar with the IRC still prescribe old methods of treatment, such as the rubber banding method, which can be painful, may require a long recovery and puts the patient at risk for infection. IRC is also covered by most insurance, including Medicare,” she adds.
There are many causes of hemorrhoids which can be avoided by simple changes in lifestyle and activity. However, in some instances, such as pregnancy and severe illnesses, hemorrhoids are not always avoidable.
Common causes of hemorrhoids include:
- Straining during bowel movement
- A diet rich in refined flour, sugar, animal protein, and low in fiber
- Postponing bowel movement
- Constipation
- Extreme physical exertion
- Prolonged sitting or standing and lack of exercise
Treatment with IRC is painless, safe, and effective. Before any treatment, a physician will conduct a routine external and internal examination to chart your hemorrhoid disease to determine whether or not you are a candidate for IRC.
Many medical studies find IRC to be the non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment of choice because it is fast, well tolerated by patients, and virtually problem free.
The European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, states that 92 percent of patients reported they were symptom-free following IRC therapy.
An additional 2004 report published by the American Gastroenterological Association states, “Nonoperative techniques are most appropriate for second- and third-degree hemorrhoids but are also indicated when medical treatment of first-degree hemorrhoids has failed. Each of these therapies can be used for outpatients and may be repeated as needed; none require anesthesia… immunocompromised patients are at an increased risk for severe infection after rubber band ligation.”
With offices in Fairfax, Va., and Rockville Md., the Hemorrhoid Relief Center is the only medical facility in the DC Metro area which specializes in treating hemorrhoid sufferers with infrared coagulation (IRC) technology. Since 1984, IRC has been clinically proven to be a uniquely safe and effective means of achieving coagulation in a variety of medical applications. The Hemorrhoid Relief Center uses the Redfield IRC systems which are FDA approved.