Simply put, drinking plenty of water helps reduce and prevent the symptoms that cause hemorrhoid flare-ups and manage the condition long-term. It may be the most important thing you can do, but it's sometimes easier said than done.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water and other fluids (other than alcohol) throughout the day will help keep your stools soft. Six to eight glasses of water per day is sufficient for most people.
Dehydration can make hemorrhoid symptoms worse by making it harder to move your bowels. That means you'll need to strain more to have a bowel movement, and that strain is what “activates” hemorrhoid symptoms.
Dehydration can contribute to problems such as hemorrhoids because it bothers your digestion and bowel movements. This also correlates with not ingesting enough water. Be sure to stay hydrated, and drink plenty of water to avoid further complications.
If you experience any of these hemorrhoid symptoms, avoid excess straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus, which can make irritation and itching worse, and can even lead to bleeding. In addition, try to pat the area dry instead of wiping it.
Many procedures can be performed in the office, such as what's called hemorrhoid banding or hemorrhoid sclerotherapy: Banding involves wrapping a small rubber band around the hemorrhoid, which causes it to shrink and fall off. “This procedure is painless, quick and done in the office,” says Dr. Nandra.
The good news is that these swollen veins inside the rectum or outside the anus often resolve on their own within a few days. For some people, however, hemorrhoids become a chronic or recurrent problem. They may even cause pain and interfere with daily activities like walking and sitting.
Eating foods that are high in fiber can make stools softer and easier to pass and can help treat and prevent hemorrhoids. Drinking water and other liquids, such as fruit juices and clear soups, can help the fiber in your diet work better.
There is no quick treatment that can treat hemorrhoids within 48 hours, but hemorrhoidectomy is the most effective treatment option available.
There is no set duration for hemorrhoids. Small hemorrhoids may clear up without any treatment within a few days. Large external hemorrhoids may take longer to heal and cause significant pain and discomfort. If hemorrhoids have not resolved within a few days, it is best to see a doctor for treatment.
Some Hemorrhoids are a Problem
You can manage your symptoms and reduce flare-ups with at-home treatments such as topical creams or daily sitz baths. But again, the only way to truly get rid of them is with a doctor-administered treatment, like the CRH O'Regan System. Contact a doctor near you for more information.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle — don't remain seated for long periods: Inactivity puts more pressure on the blood vessels around the anal area, especially if you are overweight. Avoid lifting heavy objects: This can put extra pressure on the clots in external hemorrhoids.
In general, small hemorrhoids can go away on their own in a few days. Larger hemorrhoids, particularly ones that cause a lot of pain, swelling, and itchiness, can't go away on their own and may require treatment from a doctor to heal. Pregnant patients may find that hemorrhoids only go away after they give birth.
In most cases of minor symptomatic hemorrhoids, diet and lifestyle modification can reverse symptoms. Over the counter creams combine topical steroids, astringents and vasoconstrictors (medications that temporarily shrink blood vessels) and can help with temporary relief during a flare.
You may get hemorrhoids if you have a family history, often strain during bowel movements, or have long-term (chronic) constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms may include blood in your stool, pain around your anus, or itching. Your healthcare provider may do several tests to be sure you have hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are a common problem, affecting about 1 in 20 Americans. Symptoms of mild hemorrhoids may go away on their own even without treatment, but with chronic hemorrhoids, it's a completely different story. Chronic hemorrhoids can exist indefinitely and can flare-up every few weeks, months, or even years.
If you have hemorrhoids, it's essential to avoid chips and fast food. While the high-fat content of these foods is bad for your health in general, those with hemorrhoids should be particularly mindful of what they eat. These foods can cause or worsen hemorrhoid symptoms.
If an internal hemorrhoid becomes severely inflamed, it can prolapse, or fall outside of the anus. Many times it will retract on its own but not always. If it can't easily be pushed back in, or it causes pain or bleeding, early hemorrhoid treatment from a doctor is important.
While using a donut-shaped pillow is common for hemorrhoids, it is not a good idea. Because these pillows lack support in the center, the enlarged veins may protrude further causing additional problems. Instead, try sitting in a recumbent position on a bed or couch to provide proper support and promote healing.