Infrared Coagulation (IRC) for Hemorrhoid Treatment | Minneapolis and St Paul

Posted on March 26, 2013 by shucosmetic

Since its introduction 20 years ago, infrared coagulation has become the world’s leading office treatment for hemorrhoids. Dr. Shu has provided one stop hemorrhoid treatment in Minneapolis since 2002, and he has treated thousands of hemorrhoid patients in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas with the IRC technology. This non-surgical treatment is fast, well tolerated and remarkably complication-free. A small probe is placed on the hemorrhoid and a few short bursts of infrared light are applied. The infrared light quickly coagulates the vessels that provide the hemorrhoid with blood, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink and recede. Shrinkage of the hemorrhoidal tissue may take a few weeks.

There may be a quick sensation of pain during the short burst of infrared light but overall the IRC treatments are very tolerable and painless. There are no post-treatment effects in 99% of patients. Usually approximately 4 treatments are required. The IRC technology is very effective in treating grade 1 and grade 2 hemorrhoids. In general, the treated hemorrhoids do not reoccur. Patients return to a normal lifestyle right after the treatment on the same day. There may be slight spot bleeding a few days later and up to 2 weeks. Heavy straining or lifting should be avoided and aspirin should not be taken for a few days. A sensible diet, moderate exercise and proper bowel habits will help so no further hemorrhoids will form.

One Stop Medical Center also offers the banding and hemorrhoidectomy for the patients with the advanced hemorrhoids. If you have any questions about hemorrhoid treatment in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas, please call us at 952-922-2151.

Hemorrhoid Treatment History Part 2

Posted on March 20, 2013 by shucosmetic

The word “Hemorrhoids” is probably derived from the combination of Latin “hæmorrhoida -ae” (haemo (blood), rhoidae (flowing) and the Greek “Haimorrhoos”. The original “a” has been dropped to give us “Hemorrhoids”.

In the 13th century, European surgeons such as Lanfranc of Milan, Guy de Chauliac, Henri de Mondeville and John of Ardene made great progress and development of the surgical techniques.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, many new surgical techniques were developed to treat the advanced hemorrhoids. In the meantime, several minimal invasive non-surgical modalities were invented to treat early stages of hemorrhoids.

1806; Using the modern era of endoscopy, Philip Bozzini, an Italian-German physician, used an aluminum tube to see the genitourinary tract. He then earned the title “The father of endoscopy”.

1835; St.Marks Hospital London was founded by Frederick Salmon providing modern hemorrhoids and fistula treatment.

1849; Introduction of anal dilation for hemorrhoids treatment.

1935; Doctors E.T.C. Milligan and C. Naughton Morgan in St.Marks Hospital London further studied the excision and ligation methods, which later became the gold standard in hemorrhoidectomy.

1950s;Ferguson modified the Milligan-Morgan procedure, and A.G. Parks’ developed his closed method surgical treatment.

1960s, Banding of larger hemorrhoids was introduced with rubber band ligation.

1970s; Non-surgical methods including cryotheraphy, diathermy, Infra-red and laser cauteries were developed for treatment.

1975; PH Lord developed his anal dilation hemorrhoid treatment method, whilst WHF Thompson postulated that hemorrhoids developed from anal cushions that are part of the normal anatomical structures.

1990s; Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy, also known as Procedure for Prolapse & Hemorrhoids (PPH) was first described by an Italian surgeon – Dr. Antonio Longo, and since then has been widely adopted to treat the grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids. Moreover, the digitalized Infra-red coagulation (IRC) was getting popular for the treatment of early stage of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Treatment History Part 1 | Minneapolis

Posted on March 14, 2013 by shucosmetic

As early as 2250 BC hemorrhoids have been recorded in literature to some extent. It would probably be safe to say that it is one of the oldest ailments known to people. The Egyptians were the first people who medically recorded the remedies for hemorrhoids. In 1700 BC Egyptian papyrus advised to use a poultice of dried acacia leaves with a linen bandage to heal protrusions and inflammations of venous tissue.

A well-known Greek physician named Hippocrates wrote about hemorrhoids in his book, On Hemorrhoids, describing it as bile or phlegm which is determined to be the veins in the rectum. He treated the anal protusions very crudely advocating pulling the tissue off with the finger tips, or pulling the veins upward, while someone puts a hot iron to the hemorrhoid and burns it off. The first recorded endoscopy (use of speculum to inspect the rectum) can also be credited to Hippocrates. In 400 BC, the Hippocratic also discussed a treatment similar to modern rubber band ligation: “And hemorrhoids in like manner you may treat by transfixing them with a needle and tying them with very thick and woolen thread, for application, and do not forment until they drop off, and always leave one behind; and when the patient recovers, let him be put on a course of Hellebore”.

Even the bible has records of hemorrhoids in the earliest times from the Old Testament Book of Samuel 5:9 Philistines, “punished with emerods” and Samuel 5:12, “People who moved the Ark to Ekron were punished with emerods”.

One of the earliest known hemorrhoid treatments was with the aloe vera plant. Dioscorides, a Roman physician started using that to treat inflamed hemorrhoids. Celsus (25 BC – AD 14) described ligation and excision procedures, and discussed the possible complications. Then approximately 130-200 AD a Roman physician named Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Galen) prescribed ointment, laxatives, and leeches for hemorrhoids treatment. Galen advocated severing the connection of the arteries to veins, claiming that it reduced both pain and the spread of gangrene. The Susruta Samhita, (4th – 5th century AD), similar to the words of Hippocrates, but emphasizes wound cleanliness. During the same time period in India, the use of clamp and cautery was used to get rid of hemorrhoids and control bleeding.

Between the 5th and 10th Century, Byzantine physicians used thread to ligate the base of the hemorrhoid and then followed by its amputation.

How to Treat Anal Tags in Minneapolis

Posted on March 10, 2013 by shucosmetic

An often frustrating and embarrassing condition, hemorrhoidal tags occur with variety of reasons in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. Besides the typical hemorrhoid symptoms such as itching, pain, and bleeding, the patients may use a lot of toilet paper because of pesky anal tags. Rest assured that these anal tags are harmless and very common in Minnesota. They are very similar to skin tags found in your armpit, neck, eyelids and sometimes groin.

A hemorrhoidal skin tags is typically a soft flap of skin or flesh found around the anus as a result of an existing hemorrhoid. The tags usually hang in the opening of the anus by a stalk or stem that supplies the blood to the tag. The individuals in Minneapolis may not even know they have hemorrhoidal skin tags unless they feel them while wiping.

If a thrombosed external hemorrhoid resolves without the incision & drainage or surgical excision, the residual external hemorrhoid may leave behind a skin tag. The skin tags can then lead to even larger skin tags or external hemorrhoids due to its close proximity to the original varicose veins.

Anal skin tags are usually not caused by anal intercourse or sexually transmitted diseases in Minneapolis. However, you need to be aware that anal skin tags are usually associated with other anorectal problems and may come about as a result of a hemorrhoid, an anal fissure, or an injury.

Causes of anal tags include:
● Hemorrhoids
● Anal fissures.
● Previous anorectal surgery
● Anal infection or injury
● Blocked anal gland
● Tight fitting clothing

Individuals suffering from hemorrhoidal skin tags in Minneapolis can treat the condition in the same way as treating hemorrhoids with anal care measures. These anal care measures include thorough cleaning of the affected area with gentle cleansers, such as witch hazel, washing and Sitz bath may help remove any trapped fecal matter and improve symptoms. If the skin tags cause persistent symptoms or complications, or if the skin tags lead to anxiety, individuals may opt to have them removed surgically. Anal tags can easily be removed in the office using local anesthetic and a radiofrequency device. The procedure only takes less than 10 minutes and you are able to drive yourself home afterwards.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids in Minneapolis

Posted on March 2, 2013 by shucosmetic

Every year, thousands of individuals in Minnesota are diagnosed with hemorrhoids. The symptoms caused by hemorrhoids are intermittent and get worse gradually. Most people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas often use over-the-counter topical medications to relieve the discomfort from hemorrhoids.

Severe pain is not a common symptom of internal hemorrhoids because internal hemorrhoid happens in the area above the dentate line that is supplied by the visceral nerve, like those found within the intestines, which sense pressure rather than pain.

As the venous complex of an internal hemorrhoid becomes varicose and continues to enlarge, it bulges into the anal canal and loses its normal anchoring, becoming a prolapsing internal hemorrhoid. The prolapsing hemorrhoid usually returns into the anal canal or rectum on its own, or can be pushed back inside using one’s finger, but usually prolapses again after the next bowel movement. In the anal canal, a hemorrhoid is exposed to movement caused by passing stool, particularly hard stools that can cause bleeding and pain. The painless rectal bleeding with bright red blood is a common symptom of internal hemorrhoids. The rectal mucosal lining that has been pulled down secretes mucus and moistens the anus and its surrounding skin, while the stool itself can also leak onto the anal skin. Itchiness often occurs as a result of this dual presence of stool and moisture.

Rectal itching is the among the most common symptoms of all hemorrhoid types in Minnesota, sometimes it could be so intensive that it affects people’s daily life, especially while walking, doing exercise and even sleeping. Itching and scratching can form the vicious cyclic effect and leads to develop a new disease Pruritic Ani (rectal itching).

In general, symptoms of external hemorrhoids are different than those of internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids can be felt as bulges at the anus, but rarely display any of the same symptoms seen with internal hemorrhoids. They will cause problems, however, if the varicose vein complex ruptures, as blood clots occur and build up the pressure inside the lump. This condition, known as thrombosed external hemorrhoid, causes an extremely painful bluish anal lump and often requires medical attention. The somatic nerve in the anal canal (below the dentate line) can sense pain, this is why the patients feel significant pain when they develop thrombosed external hemorrhoids. thrombosed hemorrhoids may heal with scarring and leave a tag of skin protruding from the anus. Occasionally, the tag turns out to be quite large, which can make anal hygiene (cleaning) difficult or irritate the anus.

We encourage the hemorrhoid patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas to seek medical evaluation in specialized clinics once they develop hemorrhoid symptoms. It is easier to treat low grade hemorrhoids earlier than later.

Overview of Hemorrhoids in Minneapolis

Posted on February 20, 2013 by shucosmetic

Believe it or not, everyone in Minnesota has a normal hemorrhoidal tissue in their rectum and anus. It’s only when your hemorrhoidal veins enlarge and become varicose veins that they’re considered abnormal or diseased.

There are three types of hemorrhoids – internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids that consist of both internal and external. External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside the anal verge and affect bowel cleansing after one’s bowel movement, causing skin irritation and itching. A thrombosed external hemorrhoid is usually very painful due to rupture of one’s varicose veins, which causes blood clots and is often accompanied with swelling and irritation. These external hemorrhoids are typically treated with either an incision and removal of the clot, or with an external hemorrhoidectomy performed under local anesthesia.

Internal hemorrhoids are graded from I to IV based on the degree of prolapse. Grade I hemorrhoids bulge with defecation; grade II lesions also bulge with defecation, but then recede spontaneously. Grade III hemorrhoids require digital replacement after prolapsing, while grade IV hemorrhoids cannot be replaced once prolapsed. There are many treatment options for internal hemorrhoids that vary based on the severity of each case.

One Stop Medical Center serves the entire Twin Cities area with 2 offices in Edina and Shoreview and provides one-stop hemorrhoid care with convenience and affordable charges. Our high quality care has helped thousands of hemorrhoid patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas over the past 10 years.

Anorectal Care

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin

Every year, 103,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, the disease is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in the country. The best way to prevent developing this life-threatening disease is to maintain proper anorectal care. Patients over the age of 50 should have regular screenings for colorectal cancer, and patients with a family history of the disease should be screened regularly after the age of 40.

Regular anorectal examinations can alert your doctor to any signs or symptoms of the disease. Typically, an examination of this type includes a visual inspection, palpation test and anoscopic assessment. The patient lies on his or her side while the doctor looks at the anal polyp, external hemorrhoids and anal fissure. A digital examination can be used to detect masses in the anorectal canal. Finally, an anoscopy can be used to diagnose a host of anorectal diseases.

Any unusual symptoms in the anorectal area should be examined by a doctor. Itching is a common symptom of anal rectal disease. The act of scratching may additionally harm the area and makes symptoms worse. The sensitive skin surrounding the anus can be very agitated by substances like fabrics, soaps and perfumes. Scratching may only cause further irritation and result in fissures surrounding the perianal area. Anal itching is often treated with antihistamine but may require the use of a topical corticosteroid. Even if the itch is relieved, an underlying problem such as hemorrhoids may still be present. The proper anorectal care is required to diagnose and treat this symptom.

Anal pain may also indicate anorectal disease. Discomfort may be caused by anal fissures, infection, hemorrhoids or advanced rectal cancer. An anorectal examination is the first step toward diagnosing the cause of this symptom.

Anorectal diseases may also cause lumps to form in the anal area or rectal bleeding. These symptoms may indicate fissures, polyps, hemorrhoids or cancer. Once again, an anorectal examination is the most useful tool for diagnosing the cause of these symptoms.