Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, maybe a serious health condition that occurs when the blood vessels located in the anus and the lower rectum become swollen. These may be of two kinds - external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids occur when the inflamed veins are found under the skin of the anal opening. While internal hemorrhoids occur when the inflammation is formed on the anus or lower rectum’s lining. Some of the symptoms commonly experienced by people suffering from hemorrhoid include itchiness around the anus area, pain, and bleeding of the rectum. Approximately 75% of people worldwide will experience having hemorrhoids at some point in their life. And the discomfort brought about by this condition will make you wonder how long it will last and what you can do to relieve the discomfort.
How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last?
Hemorrhoids come in different types and may vary from person to person. These factors make it hard to determine how long you will suffer from it. Some cases of hemorrhoids are cured for only a few days while others, the more severe ones, usually last for months. The best way to have an overview of the condition is to get medical help and let the doctor diagnose hemorrhoid. This will allow proper treatment and prevent the condition from reoccurring.
Natural recovery time
The natural recovery time will be greatly affected by two factors, namely the hemorrhoid type and the hemorrhoid frequency.
Hemorrhoid Types
Simple cases of hemorrhoids may disappear within a few days while the severe ones may last for several weeks.
Internal hemorrhoids may take around at least two months to heal.
External hemorrhoids with blood clot may heal in as long as three months.
Hemorrhoid Frequency
People who have had hemorrhoids more than once are more likely to experience the same or more severe condition in the future.
Pregnant women, obese, or those who are participating in anal sex are more prone to having hemorrhoids.
Always be careful and take precautionary measures to prevent hemorrhoids from occurring in the body.
Medical intervention
How long do hemorrhoids last? If you already consulted a doctor regarding the hemorrhoids, then the higher the chance that these will heal faster as compared to natural means. However, this is still dependent on the severity of the condition as well as the treatments and procedures used.
Ligation treatment
This procedure involves the use of rubber bands to cut off the supply of blood from the hemorrhoid. It takes 7 to 10 days before the hemorrhoids disappear.
Infrared coagulation
This procedure uses an infrared device to induce blood coagulation which in turn cures hemorrhoid. It takes around 3 to 4 weeks for the hemorrhoids to heal.
Surgery
This procedure is done for severe cases of hemorrhoids. It takes several weeks for the hemorrhoids to be fully healed and cured.
Do Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own?
Normally, the small external hemorrhoids have the capacity to go away by themselves. The itchiness and pain experienced may be treated with natural home remedies. These home remedies will not only relieve the symptoms but will help for faster recovery by reducing the inflammation in the anus.
On the other hand, more serious types of hemorrhoids may require difficult treatment and profuse management. Severe cases may include large prolapsed external hemorrhoids and several internal hemorrhoids which both require more time for the healing process. At times, these conditions need to undergo medical procedures to be able to remove the affected areas. In this case, surgical methods are done with the presence of a local anesthesia.
Note:
Internal hemorrhoids are generally found near the anal canal. Initially, this is not visible nor painful. However, this condition may change and become prolapsed over time. This may cause pain and possibility of coming out of the rectum during bowel movements. When this happened, it can no longer be returned to its original position in the anal canal.
External hemorrhoids are characterized when brown lumps occur in the anus. The location of the lumps may vary. This condition is very painful, itchy, and may cause bleeding. If not treated immediately, this may lead to a more serious condition called thrombosed hemorrhoids. It is very dangerous as it may cause blood clots in the area affected.
What Can You Do to Speed Up the Healing Process?
Having hemorrhoids isn’t easy. It causes pain and discomfort which generally affects daily performance. Besides knowing "how long do hemorrhoids last", you would want to know how to heal it fast. The most effective way to speed up the healing process is to change your lifestyle. Some of the reliefs that can be done to somehow relieve the symptoms until healing occurs are as follows:
Add more fiber-rich foods in the diet for better digestion and gut health. This includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Drink plenty of water and liquids to relieve and reduce constipation.
Minimize the time spent sitting in the toilet.
Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge to move bowels.
Practice proper position during bowel removal. It is recommended to put the feet on a small stool to change the rectum’s position.
Pregnant women should sleep on the side to relieve pressure around the anus.
Add mineral oil, stool softener, or fiber supplement to the diet. Consult a doctor prior to taking any of these supplements.
Always keep the anal area clean by taking regular showers and cleaning the anal area with moist wipes.
Bathe the anal area by sitting in a warm tub for a few minutes.
To relieve discomfort, there are OTC drugs available for use. However, limit the use of these products as it may lead to thinning of the skin in the anus.
All in all, hemorrhoids are serious medical conditions that should be given proper care and attention. These may come in different forms depending on the severity of the condition. The range of severity will also determine how long do hemorrhoids last. Natural home remedies may be given to simple cases of hemorrhoids for a quick relief. However, medical treatment is highly recommended for severe cases of hemorrhoids in order to prevent more serious conditions from occurring. Remember that prevention is better than cure. Thus, it is a must to always eat healthily, exercise regularly, and live a happy disposition in life.
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