In order to understand the degrees of severity in hemorrhoids, it is necessary to understand the term "prolapse." Hemorrhoids begin internally but as they become swollen and distended they can protrude from the rectum. This protrusion is called a prolapse. When a prolapsed hemorrhoid gets tapped outside the rectum, the blood supply is cut off and it becomes "strangulated."



The medical community grades the severity of hemorrhoids as follows: Grade 1 hemorrhoids have no prolapse whatsoever; grade 2 prolapse after a bowel movement, but spontaneously retract; grade 3 hemorrhoids prolapse after a bowel movement, but must be manually re-inserted; and grade 4 hemorrhoids prolapse after a bowel movement but are trapped outside and cannot successfully be re-inserted. Specialized treatments are prescribed for both grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids. Some of the many treatments available for grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids are: ligation, hemorrhoid stapling, and hemorrhoidectomy.

Often called the rubber band treatment, ligation works best with grade 3 hemorrhoids, those that prolapse with a bowel movement and must be manually retracted. In this procedure a rubber band is placed around the hemorrhoid that cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid and rubber band fall off within a day or two, and full cessation of pain and discomfort occurs within two weeks.

Hemorrhoid stapling is another often used method to treat hemorrhoids. It is more invasive than the rubber band treatment. In this procedure the physician staples the internal hemorrhoid causing it to shrink. When the hemorrhoid shrinks the symptoms are relieved. Over all, hemorrhoid stapling is more painful than ligation and less painful than having the hemorrhoids surgically removed.

A hemorrhoidectomy is the surgical removal of the entire hemorrhoid. Physicians can choose the standard scalpel and suture method, or the laser method. Both are equally effective. Because of the recovery time involved in any surgery, hemorrhoidectomies are often the treatment of last resort. For the most part, hemorrhoidectomies are only advised for the severest hemorrhoids and for those cases where the patient has frequent recurrences.

Hemorrhoid sufferers today have a wide variety of treatments available to them. Whether their symptoms are mild or severe, hemorrhoids are ultimately curable.