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Read time: 9 min
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Posted on:
Read time: 9 min
Posted on:
Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable but mild ones disappear in a matter of days. Unfortunately, larger ones can linger longer for some patients, causing continued discomfort, bleeding, and itchiness.
In this post, we explore what to do if your hemorrhoids won’t go away. We take a look at how long they typically last and what you should do if yours remain longer than a week.
Hemorrhoids are veins that bulge out of the walls of the rectum and anus. They form in a similar way to varicose veins on the legs when blood vessel walls become lax and stretched.
Hemorrhoids occur in two places: the walls of the rectum (part of the colon) or the anus.
Rectal hemorrhoids are internal because they protrude from the digestive tract’s mucosal lining. Symptoms include painless bleeding while passing stools and, in rare cases, prolapse out of the anus.
Anal hemorrhoids are external and protrude from the dry skin around the anus, not the mucosal layer. They are itchier and more painful than internal hemorrhoids, but easier to treat with topical creams.
How long hemorrhoids last depends on their size and location. Small hemorrhoids can clear up in a matter of days while larger ones can persist for a lifetime (unless removed by a doctor).
If you have small hemorrhoids and want to get rid of them faster, you can try making diet and lifestyle changes. Sitting less, exercising more, reducing stress, and eating a high-fiber diet are all beneficial. You may also wish to apply creams. These don’t get rid of hemorrhoids, but they can reduce the temptation to scratch and may protect tissue from further damage when you poop.
Pregnant women may develop hemorrhoids as their pregnancy progresses. That’s because pressure from the baby in the abdomen can make anal veins larger. However, piles disappear after birth.
Worried about a hemorrhoid not going away? There could be several reasons for that such as:
Large and external hemorrhoids are less likely to go away than smaller ones, even with radical lifestyle changes. Once tissues become distended, they are unable to return to their original position.
Western diets have up to seven times less fiber than traditional rural diets. They also contain significantly more fat, sugar, and meat.
Researchers believe low fiber intake increases straining at stool, making hemorrhoids more likely. Historically, people who ate a high-fiber diet were less likely to experience the condition. However since fiber was taken out of the diet, hemorrhoids became more common.
Today, 50 percent of people have hemorrhoids before the age of fifty, and more than 75 percent will experience them at some point in their lives.
Most hemorrhoids itch, producing an almost uncontrollable urge to scratch them. This occurs for several reasons, including inflammation from the tissue itself, and abrasion from passing feces. Close-fitting clothing can also play a role.
Unfortunately, scratching can make hemorrhoids worse. The mucus from the rectum exits the anus and then dries on the sensitive anal skin. Over time, this can cause discomfort and irritation, leading to worsening pain and symptoms.
Scratching can also lead to the formation of tears and cracks around the anus, called anal fissures. These can quickly feel sore, increasing the risk of bleeding, particularly if they surround active hemorrhoids.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do about hemorrhoids that won’t go away.
Today, doctors offer a range of minimally invasive and surgical treatments to reduce and remove hemorrhoids.
Sclerotherapy is popular because it doesn’t involve surgery. Here, physicians inject hemorrhoids with a substance that causes them to close up. Eventually, without blood flow, they die and flake off naturally.
Rubber band ligation is another popular technique. Here, doctors tie a small rubber band around the hemorrhoid, blocking blood flow to the protruding section. Eventually, distended tissue dies and, just as with sclerotherapy, flakes off. However, this technique comes with a significant risk of bleeding.
Doctors may also recommend laser or infrared coagulation. This technique involves shining light on hemorrhoids to encourage the blood inside to stiffen. Unlike sclerotherapy, patients get several treatments before they see results.
Lastly, doctors may recommend surgery. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is one option. This procedure is suitable for patients with large, painful, or protruding internal hemorrhoids and involves using staples to excise the affected tissue. However, it is not suitable for external piles.
Hemorrhoidectomies are another surgical option. These are suitable for the complete removal of external hemorrhoids and are often a permanent solution. Physicians may recommend this option if other treatments, such as rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy haven’t worked in the past.
Eating more fiber may improve hemorrhoid symptoms significantly. A systematic review found that high-fiber treatment prevented symptoms from getting worse and reduced the risk of not improving.
Fiber increases the size of stools and makes them softer, allowing them to pass out of the anus. Therefore, those eating diets high in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables find it considerably easier to pass waste. They are also much less likely to experience constipation, a risk factor in hemorrhoid development.
There are several simple methods you can use to increase the quantity of fiber in your diet. For instance, you can:
However, you will need to be careful. Increasing the roughage content of your diet too quickly can lead to gas and bloating.
Lastly, you can get help with hemorrhoid scratching by using anal and rectal hemorrhoid creams. These creams contain several active ingredients designed to improve symptoms.
Most formulations contain topical anesthetics. These compounds numb nerve receptors around your piles, reducing the urge to scratch significantly.
Products also contain anti-swelling agents. These reduce the size of the hemorrhoids, making them more comfortable, similar to Epsom salt baths.
Creams also contain additional agents, such as plant or animal fats. These form a barrier between hemorrhoids and passing stools, making them less likely to bleed or cause pain when patients are on the toilet.
If you decide to use hemorrhoid creams, always follow the instructions on the packet. If your cream contains steroids, do not use it for more than a week unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Steroids can thin the tissue around the rectum and anus, potentially making piles worse over time.
If you have hemorrhoids that won’t go away, you should see a doctor as soon as you can. While piles are not a serious condition, they can be uncomfortable and reduce your quality of life.
You should also go to your doctor as a matter of urgency if hemorrhoids cause bleeding during or after bowel movements. Physicians will want to rule out more serious conditions, such as colon cancer.
You should also go to your doctor if symptoms last longer than a week. While some hemorrhoids will go away by themselves, many will not. You may require minimally invasive or surgical procedures to eliminate them.
If your symptoms get worse over time, a doctor’s appointment is advised. Medics can provide you with topical remedies and lifestyle advice to help ease symptoms.
Make sure that you get medical attention as soon as you can if you notice a bulge or prolapsed hemorrhoid. Physicians may be able to push the pile back into the anus or use a procedure to remove it.
Some patients develop thromboses in their hemorrhoids. Blood clots make piles significantly more painful and often require immediate treatment.
When you go to the doctor’s office about your hemorrhoids, they will review your medical history, talk to you about your symptoms, and then perform a physical exam. They will tell you the type of hemorrhoids you have (internal, external, prolapsed, thrombosed, etc.), and recommend a course of treatment. They may also perform a colonoscopy to look for signs of other diseases, such as cancer.
If you’re dealing with hemorrhoids, DrHouse is here to help. With DrHouse you can make on-demand online doctor visits without ever having to leave your home! DrHouse is a convenient, affordable way to get the medical care you need when you need it. Plus, our online doctors can provide a diagnosis and prescription for hemorrhoids if needed.
Content on the DrHouse website is written by our medical content team and reviewed by qualified MDs, PhDs, NPs, and PharmDs. We follow strict content creation guidelines to ensure accurate medical information. However, this content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information read our medical disclaimer.
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