Electrotherapy for the treatment of haemorrhoids

The condition

Haemorrhoids (piles) are enlarged and swollen blood vessels in or around the lower rectum and the anus. Their severity and size are classified into grades 1 to 4. Sometimes there are no symptoms, but they can cause bleeding, itching or discomfort (grade 1). If haemorrhoids are large, they may protrude out of the anus. They may then go back into the rectum spontaneously after passing a stool (grade 2). Or, they may need to be pushed back in (grade 3), or may stay protruding from the anus (grade 4).

Treatment depends on how bad they are. Grades 1 and 2 haemorrhoids can be treated by dietary changes, and medicines such as laxatives, creams and suppositories. If these do not help, other treatments include putting a rubber band round the haemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply (banding), and special injections (sclerosants) or heat (diathermy) to shrink the haemorrhoids. Treatments for grades 3 and 4 haemorrhoids include surgical removal, stapling or tying off their blood supply, and diathermy to shrink them.

NICE has looked at using electrotherapy as another treatment option. NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) may be a good place to find out more.