Some medical conditions are simply not spoken of in polite society.

That’s understandable. However, when such a condition affects more than half the population over 30 and because of fears or embarrassment people don’t seek treatment until the condition advances to the acute stage, it’s very unfortunate.

It’s unfortunate for the patient because of the pain and inconvenience and for the health-care system which must perform expensive procedures that might otherwise have been unnecessary.

One of uncomfortable those conditions is hemorrhoids – swollen veins. There are four degrees of hemorrhoids and options for dealing with them at each stage. The earlier they are dealt with the better the outcome, according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Vaughan Regional Medical Center offers a brand-new procedure for dealing with hemorrhoids that promises to be far less painful than the traditional hemorrhoidectomy and to allow patients to get back to work more.

The procedure was introduced in the United States three years ago.

The new procedure is called PPH – Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids. It is described as minimally invasive, compared with traditional procedures.

The process essentially involves dealing with the hemorrhoids with a stapling device above the point in the body where nerve endings exist, which reduces the amount of pain.

According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, clinical results indicate that pateints who undergo PPH may experience less pain, a quicker recovery period, fewer overall complications and less of a need for postoperative pain medication.

There is one doctor in Selma who is certified to do this procedure, Dr. Michael Durry, whose father is a native of Selma.

Dr. Durry moved back here 3 1/2 years ago to set up a practice. Durry grew up in Chicago, attended college in Atlanta, medical school in Nashville and did his surgical training in Washington, D.C. Durry said that this is the first time he has lived in a small town, but he is getting used to it.

Durry’s office is located in the Vaughan Tower.

As Durry – whose areas of specialty include general surgery, laproscopic surgery and wound care – explains it, most people endure this painful ailment long after it should have been dealt with.

He says they wait because they are too embarrassed to talk about it with their doctor, because they think they may have cancer or some other fatal disease, or because they have known others who have had the traditional hemorrhoidectomy and have endured much pain and extended time away from the workplace.

“They don’t want to do it,” he said. “They wait until the last possible moment and then surgery is the only option. The good news for hemorrhoid sufferers is that they now have an option for quick relief and a speedy recovery if surgery is required.”

Durry said that groups most susceptible to hemorrhoids are farmers, joggers, construction workers, people who are overweight, alcoholics, people who eat a lot of red meat and those who suffer from constipation.

To prevent hemorrhoids, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommends including more fiber in one’s diet; drinking plenty of fluids, except alcohol; not reading on the toilet; avoiding laxatives, except bulk-forming laxatives; and not waiting for long periods of time before having a bowel movement.

For further information, contact Dr. Durry’s office at (334) 875-8932.