How Quickly Can You Get Rid of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are simply bulging veins around the anus. We all have external and internal hemorrhoids. But modern dietary and bathroom habits have made inflamed hemorrhoids more common. Most people will know they have hemorrhoids because of intense itching. Some patients with more severe hemorrhoids may feel pain, sometimes bad enough that they can’t sit properly. Other patients may see blood in the toilet after a bowel movement, at which point visiting a colorectal specialist to rule out anal fissure, cancer, and other significant concerns is necessary.

With that said, many patients wonder whether hemorrhoids can go away on their own and what the best way of treating them might be. Let’s dive right in…

Treat early

If you are experiencing itching or pain in the anal area, it’s a good indication that you should get checked out by a qualified colorectal specialist. Of course, not everyone takes this opportunity to see their doctor. Using appropriate over-the-counter creams, such as Preparation H, can help minimize discomfort, but it will not treat the root cause. Addressing hemorrhoids early with a doctor reduces the degree of progression, bringing quicker resolution with a higher likelihood of success.

Change your bathroom habits

Getting back to a healthy baseline with hemorrhoids requires better bathroom habits. Habitually pushing or straining during bowel movements is one of the most common causes of hemorrhoids; even sitting on the toilet for an extended period can increase the formation of hemorrhoids. Try not to bring any reading material into the bathroom with you, and set a timer for a couple of minutes max. If you haven’t had a bowel movement by then, try again later.

Getting fitter

Your physical health plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of hemorrhoids. Patients who are obese or carrying a significant amount of excess weight may find that hemorrhoids are more common and take longer to resolve. Similarly, patients with metabolic disorders, especially diabetes, may require more intensive treatment for their hemorrhoids. Ultimately, maintaining a metabolically healthy lifestyle makes a significant difference.

Will hemorrhoids go away on their own?

The short answer is that there is a good chance that, with time and proper lifestyle changes, the hemorrhoids will resolve on their own – if you can manage the discomfort in the meantime. In that case, the interventions and lifestyle changes outlined above may help you eliminate hemorrhoids even more quickly, with some patients achieving significant relief within a matter of weeks. However, if your symptoms are particularly severe or you are not seeing any improvement after a week or so, you may need a procedure to shrink the hemorrhoids, which can include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or surgery to remove the affected veins.

The bottom line

Be sure to manage your hemorrhoids early by combining medical advice and consultation with a colorectal specialist with improvements in your bathroom habits, diet, and exercise. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of them worsening and speed up your recovery from this very annoying, and sometimes debilitating, concern.
If you have any questions or require the assistance of a colorectal specialist, please don’t hesitate to contact us.