Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Treatment
What is the Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Procedure?
Unlike traditional methods, Hemwell™ is a painless procedure conducted under sedation for patient comfort. Our approach employs a low-level, direct electrical current, comparable in strength to a pacemaker, to gently and precisely reduce blood flow to the affected hemorrhoids.
Understanding Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids, also known as “piles”, are swollen blood vessels located in the lower rectum or anus. They can cause discomfort, pain, and sometimes bleeding during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can be internal, occurring inside the rectum, or external, forming around the anus.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids:
- Itching or irritation around the anus
- Pain or discomfort during bowel movements
- Bleeding after passing stool (bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl)
- Swelling or a lump near the anus
- Leakage of feces (in severe cases)
Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Treatment
Why choose to have a Hemwell treatment for your hemorrhoids? There are four main reasons why patients move forward:
- Minimally Invasive: The procedure is less invasive than traditional surgical methods, resulting in quicker recovery times and reduced discomfort for patients.
- Efficiency and Effectiveness: This procedure provides immediate results, with > 90% success with one treatment and up to 100% success with 2 or more treatments. The effect of the treatment continues to work on your hemorrhoids for several days after the procedure!
- Safety and Precision: Utilizing a low current ensures that the procedure is painless and safe. No serious side effect has ever been reported.
- Convenience of Outpatient Treatment: The procedure is performed as an outpatient service, negating the need for hospital stays and enabling patients to swiftly resume their everyday lives.
Hemwell™ Procedure
The treatment is typically performed in conjunction with either a colonoscopy or a more limited flexible sigmoidoscopy, depending on individual circumstances.
The day prior, patients will perform a bowel cleanout (which may be more limited for flexible sigmoidoscopy patients) in preparation for the procedure.
On the day of the exam, patients are positioned on their left side, we will perform a “timeout” to make sure everything is correct and ready, and then the patient will be given anesthesia for sedation and comfort. The colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy will be performed first, and the hemorrhoids will be evaluated.
For the Hemwell™ procedure, each column of hemorrhoids will be isolated using a disposable anoscope, the applicator will be placed at the base of the hemorrhoid to apply low-level heat for 4-9 minutes per hemorrhoid, depending on the size.
After the exam is complete, your gastroenterologist will discuss the findings and provide post-procedure recommendations, which may include the use of suppositories to enhance rapid healing and comfort.
Candidates for Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Treatment
Ideal candidates for the procedure are any patients with larger (Grade 3 or 4) hemorrhoids, or any patient with symptomatic hemorrhoids – bleeding, itching, and/or pain – regardless of size.
Hemwell™ FAQs
How long does Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Procedure take?
Procedures are usually scheduled for 30-45 minutes to allow more time for the endoscopic portion of the exam; the actual Hemwell treatment is typically 10-15 minutes.
Is Hemwell painful?
In general, no. Patients may experience a mild burning or fullness sensation, often remedied with compound suppositories prescribed by your physician. As no significant pain is expected, any patient who does experience significant symptoms would be encouraged to contact their physician for immediate evaluation and recommendations.
How soon can I return to my normal activities?
You should be able to resume most activities the same day; we do place restrictions on certain activities due to the use of Anesthesia for the day of the exam. Full resumption of activities is expected the next morning.
Will I need multiple treatments?
Most patient with small and moderate sized hemorrhoids will find relief with a single treatment. Patients with larger hemorrhoids, or who have required multiple hemorrhoid treatments in the past may benefit from more than one treatment.
Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Treatment Near Me in Dallas
For those considering the Hemwell™ Hemorrhoid Procedure, Digestive Health Centers offers specialized care at our endoscopy centers throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. With board-certified gastroenterologists like Dr. Stuart Akerman and Dr. Noel Snowberger, you can expect relief from your hemorrhoid symptoms. This minimally invasive treatment is performed with precision to improve your quality of life. If you’re dealing with hemorrhoids and want to explore options like Hemwell™, contact Digestive Health Centers to schedule an appointment today.