: There are many ways to prevent the hemorrhoids for the patients in Minnesota. One of the best ways to avoid hemorrhoids or a flare up is to avoid constipation by keeping your stools soft. Eating a diet that is high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are recommended. Taking a fiber supplement every day, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, can help keep bowel movements regular. Drinking enough fluids is equally as important. Water is the best form of hydration (6-8 glasses daily). Daily exercise is also great to help the bowel move through your digestive system and prevent you from becoming constipated. Moderate activity of at least 30 minutes 3-4 times per week is recommended. Long time of sitting or standing should be avoided. Scheduling time each day for a bowel movement and keeping it a daily routine may help. The best time for a bowel movement is right before taking a shower, washing helps to reduce anal skin irritation after bowel movement. Another convenient option for people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas is to use IntelliSeat. Take your time and do not strain when having a bowel movement, because straining can aggravate hemorrhoids. Straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum. Lastly, once you feel the urge, it is important to go because if you wait to pass a bowel movement, the urge goes away and your stool could become dry and be harder to pass.
Category Archives: anorectal disease
Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid in Minnesota
Thrombosed external hemorrhoid is a common problem in Minnesota. It is usually a complication from the underlying disease – internal hemorrhoids. It occurs outside the anal verge when one or more varicose hemorrhoidal veins rupture and blood clots develop. Typical symptoms of thrombosed external hemorrhoid are sudden onset with severe rectal pain and tender bluish swelling in the anus. These hemorrhoids are typically treated with either incision to remove the clot or with external hemorrhoidectomy. Simply draining the clot usually relieves the pain immediately, but it may not work well if multiple thromboses exist as it can also lead to recurrence, so it is better for patients with multiple thromboses to completely excise the thrombosed hemorrhoids.
I have an interesting story that happened while I visited China a few years ago. My friend Dave developed the thrombosed external hemorrhoid in the hotel while he accompanied me to visit a new resort town after an academic exchange in China. I went to a local hospital in the town and identified myself. The medical staff believed that I was a general surgeon at Shanghai Medical University twenty years ago and that currently I practice in the US. Surprisingly, the staff in the local hospital was very helpful and generous, and I managed to return with latex gloves, a scalpel, syringes, a pack of gauze, and a bottle of Lidocaine. I got Dave down on the bed and we did an incision and draining procedure right there in the hotel. The relief was immediate and other than a little bleeding for a day or so, the problem was solved.
If anyone in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas develops the sudden onset of severe rectal pain, please call us immediately. We will accommodate to your urgent medical needs and offer the same day care.
What is the Upper Age Limit for Colon cancer screening in Minnesota?
According to colon cancer screening guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), if people older than age 75 who have been getting regular colon cancer screening since age 50 and who have had consistently normal results without polyps (adenomas) or colon cancer can stop getting routine screening, but people in the increased risk level of colon cancer may continue colon cancer screening beyond 75 years old. Other professional organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology do not specify an upper age limit for colonoscopy screening.
Interestedly, there is new research data that suggests very low chance to get colon cancer if the first colonoscopy at 50 is normal. This data indicates the importance of first colonoscopy at 50. I predict that colon cancer screening guidelines may change in the future.
One Stop Medical Center offer colonoscopy in Edina, MN with very affordable price and convenience. The exam time of colonoscopy lasts about 20-30 minutes, the patients are typically in and out in an hour.
Infrared Coagulation (IRC) for Hemorrhoid Treatment | Minneapolis and St Paul
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.
At What Age Should We Have a Colonoscopy in Minnesota?
After years public education from the family physicians, health insurance companies, and media exposure, more people in Minnesota know that average risk patients should have their first colonoscopy at 50 year old. Actually, the age at which we should have our first colonoscopy varies according to the level of risk for developing colon cancer. Recommended ages for a colonoscopy are based on risk levels from the national professional organizations. Our risk of colon cancer helps determine when to get a colonoscopy.
You are at average risk if you have no other risk factors besides age. Most people in Minnesota belong to this group. This group of people should have colonoscopy at age 50.
You have an increased risk if you have the immediate family members who have had colon cancer. This group of people should have a colonoscopy at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the age of that family member when diagnosed.
You are at high risk if you have a family history of certain colorectal cancer syndromes such as Familial adenomatous polyposis or if you have an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis. The recommended age for a colonoscopy for people in this category could be very young, as young as 20s years.
The above recommended ages for a colonoscopy are the general guideline for discussions with your doctor about your particular situation. Each case is different, and there is no set of recommendations right for every individual in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.
Hemorrhoid Treatment History Part 2
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.
Easy Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Minnesota
Colorectal cancer is the most preventable major cancer in Minnesota. Colonoscopy is the most effective way to exam the lining of the rectum and colon and removes small polyps before they turn cancerous. It is recommended for the average risk people starting at age 50 and every 10 years after that.
Although more and more people had the colonoscopy in the past decade, many people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas are still behind their schedule based the guideline. The bowel preparation is still the No. 1 barrier to getting a colonoscopy. If patients don’t properly do the bowel preparation, doctors will easily miss the precancerous growth in their colon. An easier prep could improve the colonoscopy screening rates and potentially save lives.
Golytely was the original bowel prep solution which contained MiraLAX (polyethlene glycol or PEG). It requires drinking a full gallon of plain-tasting liquid to induce diarrhea. The GoLytely solution also can have side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Now Gatorade emerged as part of new patient friendly formula for the bowel prep in Minnesota, as it significantly improves the solution taste. Moreover, people who drank a mixture of 64 ounces of Gatorade with MiraLAX experienced less bloating and cramping compared to those who prepped using Golytely. Gatorade helps maintain electrolyte balance.
We have used the Gatorade based formula in One Stop Medical Center over the past 5 years, our patients were able to finish it at the rate of almost 100%, and the quality of bowel preparation is much better. Please call us at 952-922-2151 if you have any questions on the colonoscopy bowel prep.
Hemorrhoid Treatment History Part 1 | Minneapolis
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
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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.
Colonoscopy Preparation in Minnesota
In order to perform the colonoscopy properly the colon must be free of solid matter. The cleaner the better! In the past patients in Minnesota were required to drink terrible tasting flushing fluids such as Golytley. These days the colon cleansing process is much easier. Prior to the procedure the patient is required to follow a low fiber for three days and clear-liquid only diet for 24 hours. It is very important that the patient remain hydrated.
A typical colonoscopy regimen in the Minneapolis and St. Paul then would be as follows
• The day before the colonoscopy, the patient is given a laxative preparation (two bisacodyl 5 mg tablets at the noon time) and large quantities of fluid (Water, clear broth or bouillon, coffee or tea, Gatorade, Pedialyte, carbonated & non-carbonated soft drinks, Kool-Aid or other fruit-flavored drinks, strained fruit juices). Alcohol is not permitted.
• The night before colonoscopy, the patient start drinking the Mixture of 1 bottle of Miralax (8.3 oz, 238 grams) with 64 oz of Gatorade (approx. 8 oz. each 15-30 min. until finished).
• 3 hours before your procedure, drink 1 bottle of magnesium citrate (10 oz).
It may be advisable to schedule colonoscopy in the morning so the patient can have food right after the procedure. The patient must have a responsible driver to accompany him/her home. Once the bowel preparation with Miralax starts, the patient should stay at home in comfortable surroundings with ready access to toilet facilities.
The patient may be asked to skip aspirin and aspirin-like products such as salicylate, ibuprofen, and similar medications for up to ten days before colonoscopy to avoid the risk of bleeding. If a polyp is removed it is usually sent to a lab for a pathology report.
