Even without treatment, the symptoms of small hemorrhoids might clear up in just a few days. Chronic hemorrhoids, however, can last weeks with regular symptom flare-ups.
Keep reading to learn how to treat hemorrhoids that won’t go away and when to see a doctor.
Hemorrhoidsare swollen veins around your lower rectum and anus. These veins can swell to the point that they bulge and become irritated. There are two maintypes of hemorrhoids:
- Internal hemorrhoids.These occur in the small arterial branches inside the rectum. They’re typically not felt or seen, but they may bleed.
- External hemorrhoids.These occur in the veins under the skin outside of the anal opening. Like internal hemorrhoids,external hemorrhoids可以流血,但因为有更多的神经在吗e area, they tend to create discomfort.
Conditions commonly associated with chronic hemorrhoids include the following:
- Aprolapsed hemorrhoidis an internal hemorrhoid that gets bigger and bulges outside the anal sphincter.
- A strangulated hemorrhoid is a prolapsed hemorrhoid with the blood supply cut off by the muscles around your anus.
- Athrombosed hemorrhoidis a clot (thrombus) that forms after blood pools in an external hemorrhoid.
If you have hemorrhoids, you’re not alone. The
If you have hemorrhoids that just won’t go away or keep reappearing, see your doctor.
Following diagnosis, your doctor might recommend treating chronic hemorrhoids with lifestyle changes, including:
- incorporating morehigh-fiber foodsin your diet
- increasing your daily consumption ofwaterand other nonalcoholic beverages
- limiting your time sitting on the toilet
- avoiding straining during bowel movements
- 避免heavy lifting
Your doctor may also recommend some more involved or more medicinal steps to incorporate in self-treatment, such as using:
- over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, likeibuprofen(Advil),acetaminophen(Tylenol),naproxen(Aleve), or aspirin
- OTC topical treatments, such as a cream containing hydrocortisone or a pad with a numbing agent orwitch hazel
- a stool softener orfiber supplement, such as methylcellulose (Citrucel) orpsyllium(Metamucil)
- asitz bath
If self-care isn’t effective in relieving your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one of a variety of procedures.
In-office procedures
Your doctor may suggest:
- Rubber band ligation.Also calledhemorrhoid banding, this procedure is used for prolapsing orbleeding hemorrhoids. Your doctor places a special rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. In about a week, the banded section will shrivel and fall off.
- Electrocoagulation.Your doctor uses a special tool to deliver an electric current that shrinks a hemorrhoid by cutting off its blood supply. It’s commonly used for internal hemorrhoids.
- Infrared photocoagulation.Your doctor uses a tool thatdelivers infrared lightto shrink a hemorrhoid by cutting off its blood supply. It’s typically used for internal hemorrhoids.
- Sclerotherapy.Your doctor injects a solution that shrinks a hemorrhoid by cutting off its blood supply. It’s typically used for internal hemorrhoids.
Hospital procedures
Your doctor may suggest:
- Hemorrhoidopexy.A surgeon uses a special stapling tool to remove internal hemorrhoid tissue, pulling a prolapsed hemorrhoid back into your anus. This procedure is also called hemorrhoid stapling.
- Hemorrhoidectomy.A surgeon surgically removes prolapsed hemorrhoids or large external hemorrhoids.
If you have hemorrhoids that won’t go away, see your doctor. They can recommend a variety of treatments, ranging from diet and lifestyle changes to procedures.
It’s important you see your doctor if:
- You’re experiencing discomfort in your anal area or have bleeding during bowel movements.
- You have hemorrhoids that don’t improve after a week of self-care.
- You have a lot ofrectal bleedingand feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Don’t assume that rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids. It can also be a symptom of other diseases, includinganal cancerandcolorectal cancer.