Hemorrhoid Injection

What Are Hemorrhoid Injections?

Hemorrhoids (aka haemorrhoids or piles) refer to swollen veins inside the anal canal.  Though not a serious problem, hemorrhoids can be very painful.  When the veins swell inside the anal canal, they form internal hemorrhoids, when they occur near the opening of the anus, they form external hemorrhoids.  Hemorrhoids can cause bleeding, pain, discharge or swelling.  As a conservative measure, doctors normally prescribe hemorrhoid injections to treat the problem.   

Generally, anesthesia is not required before taking hemorrhoid injections.  First, the doctor examines the stomach area and discusses symptoms with the patient.  The patient is then made to lie on his or her left side so that the doctor can check the region (anus and rectum) using a telescope.  The piles are examined using a shorter, special telescope.  It is through this telescope that the doctor inserts the hemorrhoid injection.  Hemorrhoid injections consist of medications to stimulate the growth of scar tissues.  Normally three injections are administered into the lining tissue.  These help stop bleeding and arrest other symptoms related to hemorrhoids.  Patients might experience mild spotting for a couple of days after receiving hemorrhoid injections.   

Patients can usually return to work right after receiving hemorrhoid injections.  They might receive a course of antibiotics to prevent infections.  Follow-up appointments are recommended to check the progress.  Depending on the condition, these might be every few days to every few weeks.