Hemorrhoids in Truckers, Treatment

Hemorrhoids in Truckers, what treatment alternatives exist? We've talked about many aspects of hemorrhoids and how truckers are particularly prone toward their development.
Well, my dear road warriors (and "warrioresses") let's go to the next level and talk about what kinds of treatments are available to you if the hemorrhoids have gotten out of control and taken on a life of their own.
By this time you've done all you can do and need to ask the doc for help.
What are your options?

• Sclerotherapy: This is a treatment in which a chemical is injected into the hemorrhoidal vessels causing the hemorrhoid to dry up.
  This procedure is typically used for smaller hemorrhoids.
  It is seldom a permanent solution but the effect may last for a year or more.
  It is most commonly done in the doctor's office.
  
• Rubber band ligation: In this procedure the physician ties the hemorrhoids off with rubber bands which deprives the hemorrhoid of its blood supply.
  As a result, it shrivels up and falls off, usually in about a week.
  This is generally an effective procedure and is done on an outpatient basis.
  It may also be done in the doctor's office but he will only be able to treat one or two at a time because of limited anesthetic options.
  
• Tissue destruction, (in this case, it's a good thing), may also be accomplished with a laser beam, an infrared light, or an electric current.
  
• Hemorrhoidectomy: This is the surgical removal of the hemorrhoids.
  It is a more aggressive approach and is usually limited to external hemorrhoids (those outside the anus) or third or fourth degree internal hemorrhoids.
  The "degree" indicates the severity of symptoms: pain, bleeding, itching, and prolapse.
  A hemorrhoidectomy is typically an excellent long-term solution to the problem of hemorrhoids.
  However, it is also more expensive than the other procedures; it requires a hospital stay; it involves more pain; recovery time is longer; the risk of complications is greater.
  
• Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy: This is a bit of a misleading name because in the stapling procedure the hemorrhoids are not actually removed as they are in a regular hemorrhoidectomy.
  Rather, the purpose of this procedure is to tighten the tissue around the hemorrhoids.
  The supporting structures have become lax and allow the hemorrhoids to prolapse, or fall out of the rectum and into the anus.
  This method is designed to pull them back into place and shore up the support system.
  

You and your doctor will decide what is best for you based on your history, your symptoms, and the severity of your hemorrhoids.
Whichever route you go, we wish you a speedy recovery and a healthy return to the road!