Via practica 6/2012

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins localized in the lower part of rectum and anus. The most common symptom is painless bleeding. In diagnostic process beside history and examination of anus are useful also endoscopic procedures (rectoscopy, anuscopy). Clinical presentation depends on grading of the disease. The most common complications of hemorrhoids are bleeding, thrombosis, prolapse and strangulation. Treatment of hemorrhoids is indicated only in symptomatic patients and the choice of approach is affected by the degree of mucosal prolapse, relevance and type of symptoms. Dietary/lifestyle changes should be a part of treatment in every patient. Actual treatment possibilities consist of conservative, semiconservative and surgical therapy. Conservative treatment by the help of taking venopharmacological agents is able to achieve regression of symptoms in more than 60% of patients. The use of micronised flavonoid venotonic agents is indicated in all degrees of the disease.

Keywords: hemorrhoids, bleeding, treatment.