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What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are a collection of arteries and veins that we normally have in the last part of the rectum and anus, to prevent leakage from the bowel. When these veins become swollen, blood pools in them and bulges outward around the rectum (last part of the large intestine) and anal tissue. This can be uncomfortable and painful.

Hemorrhoids are not always visible. But when they become swollen and prolapsed, they may look like red or discolored lumps.

There are four types of hemorrhoids:

• Internal hemorrhoids
• External hemorrhoids
• Prolapsed hemorrhoids
• Thrombosed hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are located in the rectum and are not always visible because they are deep inside the anus. And since the area does not have pain-sensing nerves, we may not realize we have them until they begin to grow and prolapse, or protrude.

Then they cause symptoms, such as:

• blood loss
• pain or discomfort
• burning sensation and incomplete evacuation
• tingling
• perceptible lumps or swelling near the anus

Internal hemorrhoids are the most serious form of hemorrhoids when they are accompanied by significant blood loss, a drop in hematocrit, and a risk to our lives.

External hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids appear in the anus, right on the surface where stool comes out. They are not always visible, but they look like lumps on the surface of the anus. When they swell, they become more distinct from the bluish color of the dilated veins under the surface of the anus.

Their symptoms are similar to those of internal hemorrhoids. However, because they are located outside the anus, they may cause pain or discomfort when sitting, doing physical activities, or having a bowel movement.

External hemorrhoids are not a serious form of hemorrhoids. However, if they cause pain or discomfort that disrupts your daily life, consult your doctor.

Protruding hemorrhoids

Sometimes internal hemorrhoids, which we mentioned above, can swell and protrude from the anus. They are then called protrusive. This type of hemorrhoid is medically categorized into degrees, based on how much they protrude from the anus.

As protrusive, they are usually visible to the naked eye. Depending on their grade, they may have no symptoms other than prolapse, or they may cause pain, discomfort, itching, and/or burning.

Grade 1: They do not prolapse

Grade 2: They have mild prolapse, but they can go back into place on their own. (These hemorrhoids may protrude during bowel movements, due to pressure on the anus or rectum, and then return to their normal position.)

Grade 3: They have prolapsed and need to be pushed back into place on your own. These hemorrhoids may need treatment to prevent them from becoming too painful and interfering with your daily life.

Grade 4: They have prolapsed and are very painful to return to their normal position. These hemorrhoids usually require treatment due to the pain and discomfort they cause.

Note 1: Hemorrhoids can be treated with laser, no matter how advanced, so the patient does not need to resort to the old classic treatment option and – in any case – the hemorrhoids do not need to be removed.

Thrombosed hemorrhoid

A thrombosed hemorrhoid contains a blood clot (thrombosis) within the hemorrhoidal tissue. It may appear as a lump or swelling around your anus. Blood clots can form in internal or external hemorrhoids, but they usually form in external ones. And the symptoms of these include:

• severe pain and itching
• swelling and redness
• bluish color around the hemorrhoid area, blood loss

Visit your doctor as soon as possible if you notice increased pain, itching, or inflammation around the anus or rectum. Thrombosed hemorrhoids should be treated quickly, usually with medication, to avoid possible complications such as rupture of the clot and blood loss.

Hemorrhoids are a condition that causes great discomfort to the patient, but they do not pose any health risks, except in a few cases, in which the blood loss is large and is accompanied by a significant drop in hematocrit. In each case, In this case, there is no reason to endure the problem, as long as it does not subside with treatment.

Do not let hemorrhoids degrade the quality of your life. If the problem persists and is not treated with conservative treatment, then seek laser treatment. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, you can get rid of the problem (not the hemorrhoid itself – these should never be removed, they are a normal part of the body that contribute to the closure and tightness of the anus).

Why choose Total Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty (Total LHP)

This method is an evolution of the LHP method, which was first introduced by Dr. Alkiviadis Pappas in Greece since 2009. Having successfully treated over 11,000 cases of hemorrhoids over the last 10 years, Dr. Alkiviadis Pappas developed it into Total LHP, i.e. Total Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty.

Total Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty is the most advanced method of treating hemorrhoids, because it can and does treat all types of hemorrhoids (3rd and 4th degree), regardless of form and degree, in the least invasive way and without any complications.

Advantages of treating hemorrhoids with Total Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty (Total LHP)

The advanced method of treating hemorrhoids with laser, in its technique and effect, surpasses all previous ones, as:

• Does not affect the sphincter
• Shrinks problematic hemorrhoids
• Has no complications
• Lasts only 15 minutes
• Ensures a permanent result of 98%

Dr. Alkiviadis Pappas has been a pioneer in Greece since 2009, developing and evolving methods based on the application of the latest generation laser, which treat anal and intestinal diseases with the least possible intervention, in order to ensure permanent treatment and -most importantly- without complications. Laser procedures for the treatment of hemorrhoids, coccygeal cyst, perianal fistula and anal fissure are short (lasting only 15 minutes) and painless. They do not require hospitalization and allow the patient to return to his activities the very next day.