Hemorrhoid Specialist in Abu Dhabi — Expert Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are experiencing rectal bleeding, a painful lump near the anus, persistent itching, or discomfort during bowel movements, you deserve an accurate diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — not assumptions based on symptoms alone.
Professor Dr. Antonio Privitera is a consultant colorectal surgeon with fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, USA) and the University of London, and European Board Certification in Colorectal Surgery.
He sees patients at Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Deerfields and Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, and operates at Burjeel Medical City (BMC), providing the same level of specialist care available at his Dubai practice.
Many patients in Abu Dhabi live with hemorrhoid symptoms for months or even years, often because of embarrassment, fear of surgery, or because they received generic advice without a proper examination. Dr. Privitera’s approach is different: every patient is examined thoroughly, the diagnosis is confirmed, hemorrhoids are graded accurately, and treatment is recommended based on the specific condition — not based on marketing or equipment availability.
What You Will Find on This Page
- 1. Why Proper Diagnosis Matters Before Any Treatment
- 2. Hemorrhoid Symptoms: What to Watch For
- 3. How Hemorrhoids Are Graded (And Why It Changes Treatment)
- 4. Treatment Options Available in Abu Dhabi
- 5. Where I See Patients in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
- 6. What to Expect at Your First Consultation
- 7. Abu Dhabi Insurance and Practical Information
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions
Why Proper Diagnosis Matters Before Any Treatment
Not every lump near the anus is a hemorrhoid. Not every episode of rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids. I have treated patients in Abu Dhabi who were told they had hemorrhoids without examination, only for us to discover an anal fissure, a fistula, or — in some cases — a polyp that needed further investigation.
A proper hemorrhoid assessment includes three essential steps.
1. Visual Inspection
A careful examination of the anal area to identify external hemorrhoids, swelling, irritation, or other visible abnormalities.
2. Digital Rectal Examination
A brief internal examination that allows the doctor to assess tenderness, swelling, and other structural abnormalities.
3. Anoscopy
A quick, painless procedure using a small lighted scope to visualize internal hemorrhoids. Without anoscopy, internal hemorrhoids cannot be seen and grading cannot be confirmed.
This matters because different grades of hemorrhoids require different treatments. A Grade I hemorrhoid that bleeds but does not prolapse often responds well to dietary changes and possibly rubber band ligation. A Grade IV hemorrhoid that is permanently prolapsed usually requires surgical excision. Treating both the same way leads to either unnecessary procedures or inadequate results.
Important: If you are over 40 and experiencing rectal bleeding, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi both recommend colorectal cancer screening — even if hemorrhoids are the likely cause. Hemorrhoids and polyps can coexist, and early detection of colorectal conditions is essential.
If needed, colonoscopy can be arranged as part of your diagnostic assessment.
View Complete Hemorrhoid Treatment GuideHemorrhoid Symptoms: What to Watch For
Hemorrhoids present differently depending on their type and severity. Understanding your symptoms helps you communicate clearly during consultation, but it does not replace examination.
Bleeding
Bright red blood on toilet paper, in the bowl, or on the stool surface. This is the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids. The bleeding is usually painless. However, rectal bleeding has multiple possible causes — fissures, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease — so it always warrants proper evaluation.
A Lump or Swelling
A soft or firm lump near the anus. This may be a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid, an external hemorrhoid, or a thrombosed hemorrhoid (a painful clot). If a lump appears suddenly with severe pain, seek assessment within 48 to 72 hours for the best treatment outcome.
Itching and Irritation
Mucus from prolapsing hemorrhoids can irritate the surrounding skin. Abu Dhabi's heat and humidity can worsen this, particularly for patients who spend time outdoors or commute between air-conditioned environments.
Discomfort or Pain
Internal hemorrhoids are usually painless unless they prolapse and become trapped. External hemorrhoids can cause discomfort, and thrombosed hemorrhoids are often acutely painful.
Incomplete Evacuation
Larger internal hemorrhoids can create a sensation that the bowel has not fully emptied.
Hemorrhoid Symptoms Infographic
How Hemorrhoids Are Graded — And Why It Changes Everything
Internal hemorrhoids are classified into four grades based on how much they prolapse. This grading determines which treatment is appropriate.
Grade I
Hemorrhoids bleed but do not prolapse. You cannot see or feel them. Treatment: dietary changes, fibre supplementation, hydration. If bleeding persists, rubber band ligation in clinic.
Grade II
Hemorrhoids prolapse during straining but retract on their own. Treatment: rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation. Laser or THD may be considered for larger cases.
Grade III
Hemorrhoids prolapse and must be manually pushed back. Treatment: THD (HAL-RAR), laser hemorrhoidoplasty, or hemorrhoidectomy depending on anatomy.
Grade IV
Hemorrhoids are permanently prolapsed and cannot be reduced. Treatment: hemorrhoidectomy (surgical excision), which has the lowest recurrence rate.
Hemorrhoid Grading Diagram — Grades I to IV
Treatment Options Available in Abu Dhabi
Every treatment I offer in Abu Dhabi is the same standard available at my Dubai locations. Treatment is selected based on your hemorrhoid grade, anatomy, symptoms, and medical history — not on what is most profitable or most marketed.
Conservative Treatment
For Grade I hemorrhoids and mild symptoms, the first step is always conservative: increasing dietary fibre (fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains), adequate hydration (at least 2.5 to 3 litres daily — critical in Abu Dhabi's climate), avoiding prolonged sitting and straining, and topical treatments for symptomatic relief.
Office-Based Procedures (No Anaesthesia Required)
- Rubber band ligation: A small band is placed around the base of an internal hemorrhoid, cutting off blood supply. The hemorrhoid shrinks and falls off within days. Effective for Grade I and II. Performed in the clinic in minutes with minimal discomfort.
- Sclerotherapy: An injection that causes the hemorrhoid to shrink. Used for smaller Grade I and II hemorrhoids, particularly in patients on blood thinners where banding carries higher bleeding risk.
- Infrared coagulation: Heat applied to the hemorrhoid base to reduce blood flow. Suitable for small Grade I hemorrhoids.
Surgical and Advanced Procedures
- Laser hemorrhoidoplasty: A laser fibre is inserted into the hemorrhoid to shrink it from within. Suitable for Grade II and III internal hemorrhoids. Recovery is typically 3 to 7 days for desk jobs. Laser is a useful tool for selected patients but is not painless and is not appropriate for all grades.
- THD (HAL-RAR): Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization with Recto-Anal Repair. A Doppler-guided procedure that locates and ties off the arteries feeding the hemorrhoids and lifts prolapsed tissue. Suitable for Grade II and III. No tissue removal and typically lower pain than traditional surgery.
- Hemorrhoidectomy (surgical excision): The gold standard for Grade IV hemorrhoids and large mixed hemorrhoids. Recovery takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks, but recurrence rates are the lowest of any treatment.
- Thrombosed hemorrhoid excision: If a sudden painful clot develops in an external hemorrhoid, excision under local anaesthesia within 48 to 72 hours provides immediate relief.
Hemorrhoid Treatment Options Comparison
Where I See Patients in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
I consult and perform procedures at two consultation locations and one surgical facility in the Abu Dhabi region.
Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Deerfields — Abu Dhabi
Consultations, examinations, and office-based procedures (rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy) are available here. This is one of my two consultation locations in Abu Dhabi, offering shorter wait times and a focused outpatient environment.
Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Reem Island — Abu Dhabi
My second consultation location in Abu Dhabi. The same services are available here as at Deerfields — consultations, examinations, and office-based procedures. Choose whichever location is more convenient for you.
Burjeel Medical City (BMC) — Surgical Facility
BMC is where I perform surgical procedures — laser hemorrhoidoplasty, THD (HAL-RAR), hemorrhoidectomy, and thrombosed hemorrhoid excision. I do not see patients for consultations at BMC.
Your initial assessment and examination take place at one of the Day Surgery Centre locations, and if surgery is indicated, it is scheduled at BMC. Most procedures allow same-day discharge.
Patients from Al Ain
I regularly see patients who travel from Al Ain for specialist colorectal assessment. For patients travelling from Al Ain, consultation, examination, and — when appropriate — office-based procedures can often be arranged during a single visit at either Day Surgery Centre location to minimise travel.
If surgery is required, it is performed at Burjeel Medical City with same-day discharge in most cases.
Burjeel Day Surgery Centre — Abu Dhabi Hemorrhoid Treatment Facility
What to Expect at Your First Consultation
I understand that seeing a doctor about hemorrhoids feels uncomfortable for many patients. Let me reassure you: I see patients with these conditions every day. My priority is your comfort, your privacy, and an accurate diagnosis.
History and Discussion
I will ask about your symptoms, how long you have had them, your bowel habits, diet, water intake, medical history, and any previous treatments. This conversation helps me understand the full picture.
Physical Examination
A proper diagnosis requires examination. This includes visual inspection of the anal area, a digital rectal exam, and anoscopy — a brief, two-minute procedure using a small lighted scope. Anoscopy is not painful. It is the only way to accurately visualise and grade internal hemorrhoids.
Treatment Recommendation
Based on examination findings — not assumptions — I will explain which treatments are appropriate for your specific grade and anatomy. We will discuss the advantages and limitations of each option, expected recovery, and what insurance covers. You are never pressured into any procedure.
For many patients, the first visit itself provides relief simply from understanding their condition accurately and knowing that treatment is straightforward. If you have been living with symptoms because of embarrassment or uncertainty, I encourage you to book a consultation.
Abu Dhabi Insurance and Practical Information
Insurance Coverage
Most major insurance plans in Abu Dhabi cover medically necessary hemorrhoid treatment, including consultations, office procedures, and surgery. Coverage for elective or cosmetic procedures (such as removing asymptomatic skin tags) varies by plan. My team can verify your coverage before your appointment so there are no surprises.
SEHA and Thiqa
Patients with Abu Dhabi government insurance (Thiqa) or SEHA network coverage should confirm facility acceptance when booking.
Appointment Booking
Call +971-55-318-8469 or book online. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available at both Burjeel Day Surgery Centre locations.
Confidentiality
All consultations and treatments are completely private. This is a priority at every stage of your care.
Abu Dhabi Lifestyle Factors That Contribute to Hemorrhoids
In my Abu Dhabi practice, I see specific patterns that contribute to hemorrhoid development and flare-ups:
Dehydration
Abu Dhabi's extreme summer temperatures and high humidity lead to significant fluid loss. Many patients are chronically under-hydrated without realizing it. This causes harder stools and increased straining — a direct cause of hemorrhoid symptoms. Aim for at least 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily, more during summer months.
Sedentary Work
Office-based roles across Abu Dhabi's government, oil and gas, and financial sectors involve prolonged sitting. This increases pressure on anal veins. If you work at a desk, stand and move every 60 minutes.
Dietary Habits
Frequent restaurant dining, reliance on processed foods, and low vegetable intake are common across the UAE. A fibre-rich diet is the single most important preventive measure for hemorrhoids.
Long Commutes
Patients commuting between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, or between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, spend hours sitting. Combined with dehydration, this is a significant risk factor.
Frequently Asked Questions — Abu Dhabi Patients
Office-based procedures like rubber band ligation can often be performed during the same visit as your consultation, depending on examination findings and the treatment indicated. Surgical procedures (laser, THD, hemorrhoidectomy) require a scheduled appointment.
This depends on your insurance plan. Some plans require a GP referral; others allow direct specialist access. Contact my office and we will guide you through the process for your specific insurer.
The clinical standard is identical. I am the same surgeon with the same training, approach, and diagnostic method at every location. In Abu Dhabi, consultations are at Burjeel Day Surgery Centre (Deerfields or Reem Island) and surgery is at Burjeel Medical City. You choose the consultation location most convenient for you.
Yes. Some patients prefer to consult at one location and have procedures at another. Consultations take place at either Day Surgery Centre (Deerfields or Reem Island), while surgical procedures are performed at Burjeel Medical City. We also coordinate between our Abu Dhabi and Dubai facilities if you prefer surgery in Dubai.
Plan for approximately 30 minutes. This includes discussion, examination, and a clear treatment recommendation. If an office procedure is appropriate and can be done the same day, it adds approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
For many patients, yes. I can perform consultation, examination, and office-based treatment (such as banding) in a single visit at either Day Surgery Centre location. If a surgical procedure is needed, it is scheduled at Burjeel Medical City at a time that works for you, and most procedures allow same-day discharge.
Laser treatment is less painful than traditional hemorrhoidectomy, but it is not painless. Expect several days of discomfort and the need for pain medication. Marketing claims of painless, scar-free treatment are exaggerated. Laser is effective for the right grade and anatomy, but it is one option among several — not automatically the best.
Recurrence depends on the treatment used and whether you maintain good bowel habits afterwards. Hemorrhoidectomy has the lowest recurrence rate. Conservative treatment and office procedures may see symptoms return if underlying causes (constipation, straining, low fibre) are not addressed. I provide specific dietary and lifestyle guidance to minimise recurrence risk.
Book Your Consultation
If you are experiencing hemorrhoid symptoms, do not wait. An accurate diagnosis takes minutes and changes everything about your treatment path.
Schedule a Consultation
Professor Dr. Antonio Privitera
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
Fellowship Training: Mayo Clinic (USA) | University of London (UK)
European Board Certified in Colorectal Surgery
About the Author
