New treatment for piles approved by NICE

Simple walk-in, walk-out procedure is now available in London and 12 other locations

SOME eight million of us – about 1 in 7 – suffer from the irksome problem of piles, according to recent estimates.

Yet NHS data shows that surprisingly few come forward for treatment. And perhaps it’s little wonder. Surgery can leave patients in pain for weeks afterwards. Not to mention the embarrassment factor. Only sexually transmitted diseases cause people more medical blushes, a survey by YouPoll reveals. One in seven piles sufferers even avoid sport or taking a holiday, and one in six has needed to take time off work.

But there is a new treatment that could shrink piles without the worry. The treatment works by applying a very low current to the base of the pile for up to ten minutes, causing it to shrink.

Ultroid is growing rapidly in the UK. The number of treatments is trebling year on year, with more than 1,500 treatments completed, and new doctors are coming forward for training every month.

What do Ultroid patients say about recommending it to a friend or

relative? On a scale of 1 to 5, 88% awarded a 5 or a 4.

Mark Holmes says “As a 49 year old self-employed builder. I have suffered severely with haemorrhoids for over 20 years which has affected my life considerably. After numerous doctor and hospital visits and various treatments including over counter and prescribed creams and injections to reduce the size of my haemorrhoids and, after years of no success, I was prepared to have a full haemorrhoidectomy. My piles were diagnosed as grade 3-4 by a hospital specialist. I found on more and more occasions that I had to take time off work and turn down jobs involving heavy lifting which would put more pressure on my haemorrhoids. Doing such work caused heavy bleeding and agonising discomfort with constant haemorrhoid prolapsing. I also had to give up kayaking, which I loved to do.

After debating whether to go ahead with the haemorrhoidectomy, which would take some considerable recovery time and, as I’m selfemployed, reduce my income as well, I learned that there was a procedure called ‘Ultroid’ which would enable me

“...I have gained my life back and do all the things I love to do...”

to go back to work the very same day as the treatment. After ringing the clinic and being given valuable time and information, I felt this was the treatment for me. Every question I asked was clearly answered. Unfortunately this was not NHS funded but, given the time I would need off of work with a full haemorrhoidectomy, Ultroid would in the long run be a more viable option with the short healing time as well as being cost effective for me. As for the treatment itself, there was a slight discomfort during the procedure, which only lasted half an hour. After the procedure, there was a very slight dull aching which lasted around 2 hours. I found that after the first procedure I was able to use the toilet and not have the worry of the haemorrhoids prolapsing and bleeding. Since I had a second procedure (as my haemorrhoids where grade 3-4), I have gained my life back and do all the things I love to do without any worries of my haemorrhoids stopping me. I can only hope one day that this procedure will be available on the NHS to everyone so they will gain the benefit of this valuable treatment.”

The Ultroid treatment was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) last year.

NICE approval is given only to treatments that are safe and effective. While it’s new to the UK, 120,000 treatments have been done elsewhere. Ultroid treatments are only available privately at the moment, but the NICE decision should open the door to treatment on the NHS.

Safe method approved by NICE Performed in just 15-30 minutes No recovery time necessary No preparation or anaesthesia required Non-invasive procedure Treats all grades of internal piles An effective alternative to surgery Recognised by all major insurers