Proctology Institute

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4 Locations: Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, Newport Beach
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What is Hemorrhoid Ligation?

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Hemorrhoid ligation, also known as hemorrhoid banding, is a minimally invasive process wherein your proctologist or surgeon applies tiny rubber bands at the base of internal or prolapsed hemorrhoids, cutting off their blood supply – and beginning a rapid process of total removal.

Rubber band ligation is a great way to address internal hemorrhoids without any need for incisions or infrared coagulation, because with the simple application of the ligation band, the hemorrhoid essentially “dies” on its own, leaving behind minimal discomfort and a kickstarted healing process.

Hemorrhoid banding is best administered by a proctologist, as this medical specialty stands alone in its expertise within the region. The best hemorrhoid doctors are those who have spent many years studying every dimension of pain, disease, and surgical care for this area of the body.

If you have hemorrhoids which have become itchy or painful, or they’re bleeding, and these symptoms don’t resolve within a few days, call your Beverly Hills proctologist today.

On the Benefits of Colonoscopy

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A recent New York Times article reported the untimely death of Cornell University’s first female president due to colon cancer. The essay is not so much a eulogy as an exhortation to make colon cancer screening far more common and accessible than it is today:

I do know that colon cancer can nearly always be prevented through detection and removal of its precursor lesions, commonly called adenomas or adenomatous polyps. I also know that it can most often be cured if one of several screening tests leads to early detection, before the cancer has spread beyond its point of origin.

The piece describes colonoscopy as “the gold standard for detecting cancer and removing precancerous polyps,” and encourages more people to get screened, at younger ages, than most people currently do. Although the screening age is 50 years old for generally healthy patients without a family history of colon cancer and 45 years old for african american patients, adenomatous polyps have been observed and removed in younger patients as well that have been symptomatic or asymptomatic.

But of course colonoscopy is more than just a screening procedure; your physician may also remove polyps found during the procedure at the same time. This is, in other words, one of the few preventive diagnostic measures which may also include treatment in the bargain, markedly improving patient prognosis.

If you are due to get a colonoscopy in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, or Huntington Beach, call the experts at the Proctology Institute, or click here to set up an appointment today.

 

A Light-Hearted Look at Hemorrhoids

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I’ve said it before: proctology requires a sense of humor, and those of us who devote our lives to this medical field must also possess a healthy set of social skills to broach some of the subjects our work demands.

Explaining bedrock issues of proctology such as anal pain, anal warts, colonoscopy screening, and various diseases can be difficult without the right teaching tools. That’s why it is a great victory when we can unearth an educational resource few have seen before.

Exhibit A: this lighthearted and subversive look at what causes hemorrhoids and how to treat them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_xHcpnYP7A

Don’t let the silly animation fool you: the piece includes plenty of good advice on how to prevent hemorrhoids through such measures as better diet, steady hydration, and active living. It also includes a shoutout for hemorrhoid surgery at the end.

If you want to rid yourself of this inconvenient and often painful condition for good, contact the hemorrhoid experts at the Los Angeles and Orange County Proctology Institute today.

How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids?

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Hemorrhoids can range in severity from painless bleeding to painful swelling. Depending on the degree of your symptoms, and the length you have experienced them, you may be able to help your symptoms with some conservative measures.

But when hemorrhoids become more serious, stronger interventions are required. And when those measures fail, it’s time to visit a proctologist for an expert diagnosis. As one article says, “If you have a more severe case of hemorrhoids, your doctor may suggest surgical treatments including removal of hemorrhoids, burning hemorrhoid tissue and reduction of the hemorrhoids.” More importantly, anal and rectal cancer must be ruled out, therefore, a complete history and physical examination is necessary.

At the Proctology Institute, we offer a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options for the effective removal and prevention of hemorrhoids. We offer minimally invasive techniques such as rubber band ligation, infrared coagulation and sclerotherapy. For more serious cases, surgery such as a hemorrhoidectomy may be required. Whatever your symptoms require, we have permanent treatments to help restore your sense of balance and comfort.

Want to get started today? Contact our proctology locations in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach.

Let’s talk about Sex…

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The topic of sex is a frequent and important topic of conversation amongst my patients. Typically, patients find it difficult to discuss sex, impediments to sex and sexual dysfunction with their doctors. But because it is an integral part of the field of Proctology, I like to start the discussion with my patients during their first office visit, letting them know that they are in a safe, non-judgmental space, free to ask any questions they have regarding sex. In fact, my intake questionnaire asks “Do you have sex with Men, Women, or Both?” Often times, patients leave this question blank because they feel uncomfortable. However, after we discuss this together, they feel relieved and begin to ask a variety of questions regarding sex.

Some of my patients are concerned about sexual health and would like to be screened for sexually transmitted disease, such as HPV or Human Papilloma Virus, HSV or Herpes Simplex Virus, HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus; while others feel uncomfortable during sex, whether it be caused by pelvic pain, rectal pain or vaginal pain. Other patients have questions regarding the cosmetic appearance of their anal opening during sex, and have felt timid and uncomfortable bringing it up to their past doctors and are looking for a solution to improve the cosmetic appearance of their anal opening and buttocks, whether it be due to an unsightly anal skin tag or buttocks acne that they just can’t get rid of despite their many attempts.

As you can see, a complete sexual history is vital to determine the risk for many conditions. For example, HPV or Human Papilloma Virus, can cause anal dysplasia, which may lead to anal cancer. HPV is most often spread through genital skin-to-skin contact. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that “half of all sexually active people will get an STD by age 25. These diseases can be passed from one person to another through intimate physical contact and sexual activity. While anyone who has sex can get an STD, sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk. In addition to having higher rates of syphilis, more than half of all new HIV infections occur among MSM.”

So, start the conversation with your doctor, you will be happy you did! It is important for your doctor to have a thorough knowledge of your sexual history so that he/she can maintain your optimal health.

Contact the Los Angeles and Orange County Proctology Institute and make an appointment in one of our locations in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach or Huntington Beach today.