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How Cryosurgery is Used to Treat Hemorrhoids
If you are looking at options for different types of treatment for hemorrhoids, cryosurgery is an older treatment for hemorrhoids that was popular twenty years ago. Although it is still used it is not the preferred treatment by sufferers of hemorrhoids due to the pain and complications that can result from the procedure.How it WorksThis treatment can be used to treat both internal and external hemorrhoids through the use of nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen. During the procedure the hemorrhoids are frozen by a cryoprobe which is a surgical instrument designed to destroy hemorrhoids or genital warts. Nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen is distributed through a tubing system in the cryoprobe which results in freezing the tip of the cryoprobe. When the cryoprobe is applied to the hemorrhoids the tissue is frozen and then allowed to thaw. The size of the hemorrhoids will determine the number of freeze and thaw cycles that are needed to eliminate the hemorrhoid and in some cases the hemorrhoid may need to be ligated before the procedure is performed. This hemorrhoid treatment can be performed in outpatient clinics or your doctor’s office and requires a local anesthetic to be administered before the procedure. The RisksThis type of treatment is a lot more painful than other types of hemorrhoid surgery and the risk of infection can be high in the weeks that follow the treatment. Once you have had cryosurgery you may experience a rectal discharge as a result of the infection which can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Other risks associated with this treatment include swelling or the formation of blisters and sores that can result form hemorrhoid removal. In extreme cases you can experience fever or consistent bleeding which requires immediate medical attention. The severity of side effects and risks associated with this hemorrhoid treatment will also depend upon how many freeze and thaw cycles are required to treat the hemorrhoid condition. Things to Consider with CryosurgeryAlthough this hemorrhoid treatment is a fairly safe procedure the main disadvantage is the degree of pain that the procedure can cause during postoperative healing. Some hemorrhoid sufferers have reported that they were unable to function for up to a week after cryosurgery due to the amount of pain they were experiencing. 
In this case, the treatment is truly worse than the disease. Consider this one only as a last resort. There are many other treatments that are less painful.
In addition to the discomfort that this type of treatment creates the hemorrhoids can return following the treatment. This is why a lot of hemorrhoid sufferers look for an alternative to cryosurgery for relief from a hemorrhoid condition. The side effects that you can suffer from the treatment may outweigh the benefits of choosing this type of treatment for hemorrhoids. Finally, before seeking any type of surgery option for the treatment of hemorrhoids it is important to consult with your physician to rule out the possibility of another underlying health condition that may be exhibiting symptoms similar to hemorrhoids. Your physician can perform a series of tests that will ensure a correct diagnosis of your hemorrhoid condition and then recommend a treatment or surgical procedure that is appropriate for the specific type of hemorrhoid condition you may have.
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