By midlife, approximately half of the population will have experienced hemorrhoids. This sometimes painful condition results from an increase in pressure inside the veins of the rectum. The common causes are constipation, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, sitting for long periods, heavy lifting and diarrhea. Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the lower rectum and in many cases can’t be seen or felt. However, in some instances can push through the anal opening, resulting in a prolapsed, or protruding hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids occur as bulges or lumps around the anus and due to the sensitive nerve fibers in this area, these enlarged veins are often painful, especially when sitting. Fortunately, a brief and painless procedure is available now and will end your discomfort for good.

Bay Area Gastroenterologist, Dr. David Shields of Palo Alto, now offers the CRH O’Regan System™, also referred to as Hemorrhoid Banding, is considered the “gold standard” for the treatment of hemorrhoids. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure is performed in his offices and scores a 99.1% success rate. This method, unlike traditional banding techniques (that use a metal-toothed clamp to grasp the tissue), Dr. Shields uses a gentle suction device, reducing the risk of pain and bleeding. This method has a ten-fold reduction in complications compared to traditional banding and recovery time is dramatically accelerated. Following this new method of hemorrhoid banding, it is recommended that you rest at home for the remainder of the day and resume full activity the next day.

The banding procedure works by cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid, which causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off (typically within a day or so). Once the hemorrhoid is gone, the affected area usually heals in a week or two. The CRH O’Regan System is applicable for approximately 90% of all hemorrhoid patients and only the most severe cases will require a more aggressive surgery (hemorrhoidectomy), which is another procedure offered by Dr. Shields.

Before opening his private practice, Dr. Shields served as the Director of Endoscopy at Stanford University Medical Center. He continues to enjoy actively teaching at Stanford and has been recognized with an “Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award”. Dr. Shields performs procedures at varying locations depending upon your insurance. The majority of procedures are performed in the comfort of The Palo Alto Endoscopy Center. Patients with Medicare are performed primarily at Stanford Hospital and some at El Camino Hospital. If hospitalization is required he admits his patients at Stanford Hospital.

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