How Do Hemorrhoids Go Away?

Mild hemorrhoids may go away on their own, as long as you eat plenty of fiber and drink lots of fluids to keep your stool soft. More severe ones may require medical treatment or surgery.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal region. Hemorrhoids are a common, painful and uncomfortable condition that can affect anyone. 

What Are Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include: 

• Rectal bleeding
  • Bright red
  • Usually, a small amount
  • Painless 
  • Noticed especially after bowel movements
  • Visible blood on toilet paper after wiping following a bowel movement
• Tissue bulging from the anal area
  • May appear dark blue to purple in color if there is a blood clot
• Anal itching or burning sensation 
• Pain and pressure in the rectal area
• Feeling a need to have a bowel movement
• Leakage of feces 
• Difficulty cleaning after a bowel movement

Causes of hemorrhoids include: 

• Straining during bowel movements
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Prolonged sitting (especially sitting on the toilet)
• Inadequate fiber intake
• Weakening of the supporting tissues in the anus and rectum that occurs with aging
• Pregnancy
• Lifting heavy objects frequently
• Tumors

Hemorrhoids are diagnosed with a patient history and a physical examination of the rectum and anus, which may involve a digital rectal exam, in which a medical professional inserts a gloved finger into the rectum. External hemorrhoids are visible on examination. 

Other tests may include: 

• Anoscopy to examine the anus
• Rigid proctosigmoidoscopy to examine the lining of the rectum and lower colon
• Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to examine the colon

In mild cases, hemorrhoids may go away on their own in a few days. 

Home treatments for hemorrhoids include: 

• Warm sitz baths 
  • Sitz baths are available in drugstores
  • Soak the buttocks in 2 or 3 inches of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes two to three times daily
  • Do not use soap, bubble bath, or other additives in the water
• Increased fiber intake 
  • Helps prevent constipation
  • Increase fiber intake to help soften stools
  • Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber
  • Fiber supplements
    • Psyllium (Konsyl, Metamucil)
    • Methylcellulose (Citrucel)
    • Polycarbophil (fibercon)
    • Wheat dextrin (Benefiber)
  • The recommended amount of dietary fiber is 20 to 35 grams per day
• Topical treatments 
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relieving creams and hydrocortisone rectal suppositories may help temporarily relieve pain, inflammation, and itching.
  • Do not use topical treatments for more than one week, unless recommended by a doctor
• Laxatives
  • Use if increased fiber intake does not relieve constipation
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers 
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
  • Aspirin
• Drink plenty of water
• Don’t strain during bowel movements
• Don’t sit on the toilet for long periods 

Medical treatments for hemorrhoids include: 

• Rubber band ligation
• Laser, infrared, or bipolar coagulation 
• Sclerotherapy 
• Surgery
  • Hemorrhoidectomy (surgical removal of excess hemorrhoidal tissues)
  • Stapled hemorrhoidopexy 
  • Hemorrhoidal arterial ligation

Complications of hemorrhoids are uncommon and may include: 

• Blood clot
• Abscess
• Scarring

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to prevent constipation. Constipation can be prevented by: 

• Consuming plenty of fiber
  • Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and other fiber-rich foods to help increase bowel movements
  • 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day is recommended
  • Fiber supplements may help
• Stool softeners
  • These can increase the number of bowel movements 
  • Docusate sodium (Colace, Dulcolax)