Have you had problems with bowel movements that lasted longer than usual and more irritating than it usually gets?
It is most likely your diet playing a huge part – be it the non-stop eating with family on spring break, Yuletide season, or just about any celebration you’ve had that caused you discomfort in passing stools. If you’ve had a bad case, then you may have already sworn to yourself to either eat more fiber and drink more water when having constipation or eat in moderation when having diarrhea. For those who still don’t watch their diet even after the difficulties, there’s something far worse that may happen if difficulties are ignored and left untreated for a long time: anal fissures.
Anal fissures occur when the canal or the exterior experiences trauma. Hard stools can damage the anus and if it happens constantly, it can result to the fissures. However, stools are not the only culprit behind a person’s severe discomfort in the anus. Anal trauma can also be caused by insertion of medical equipment and childbirth.
The pain differs from person to person, but some patients describe it as worse than that of childbirth. Patient testimonials on having fissures may convince a person to avoid situations that may lead to anal fissures, but if you happen to have it right now, then follow through, as the latter part of this article will discuss one of the most common procedures carried out to treat this uncomfortable condition: diathermy.
Spanish doctor Celedonio Calatayud pioneered the use of diathermy in 1910 for gynecologic therapy. Diathermy makes use of electrically induced heat to target tissues deep within the body. It is a less painful procedure in comparison to surgery when it comes to treating anal fissures. The procedure is also divided into two: monopolar diathermy and bipolar diathermy.
The latter is more commonly used than the former, as it is more efficient and safe. Bipolar diathermy is also referred to as bipolar electrotherapy, bipolar coagulation and bipolar circumactive probe (BICAP) coagulation. It is more efficient as the electric current it passes from a pen-like apparatus targets all the affected tissues. It is also safer as the current would not flow through the tissues nearby.
When treating anal fissures, the doctor holds the pen-like apparatus attached to the diathermy machine and directs it towards the affected part of the. The electric current then touches the tissue, sealing off blood vessels in order to stop its bleeding while at the same time destroying the accumulation due to abnormal cell growth in the area. The heat also benefits the targeted area, as it would increase blood flow, which in turn would speed up the tissue repair and healing overall.
The downside of the procedure, however, is that the patients may experience burns on the surface because of the heat. Choose a trusted physician or surgeon to carry out the process, as it could potentially harm, if not carefully administered. There is also a long list of precautions to be followed before performing diathermy, so finding a trustworthy and skillful physician or surgeon is a must.
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