Top Hemorrhoid Specialist in Forest Hills, NY

Hemorrhoids develop due to swelling of the veins located in and around the anus, often developing due to increased pressure within the lower rectum. The risk of developing hemorrhoids increases with age and is increased for those who are pregnant, due to weakening and stretching of the veins located in the anus and rectum. The most effective way to prevent hemorrhoids from forming is by managing the consistency of your stool to keep it fairly soft and reducing the strain that is required for bowel movements. Some tips to help maintain a softer stool include eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as they are high-fiber foods (these should be increased gradually to prevent excess gas build-up), drinking plenty of fluids, staying active to prevent constipation, preventing obesity, reducing the pressure being applied to the veins, and to avoid straining during bowel movements wherever possible. Another way to help prevent the development of hemorrhoids is to avoid spending too much time sitting, particularly on the toilet while trying to have a bowel movement as that can lead to increased pressure on the veins located in the anus and rectum.

The length of time that it takes for hemorrhoids to go away directly depends on the severity of the hemorrhoid. In most cases, they will go away on their own within a few days, but more severe cases that endure for longer than a week may require medical attention for treatment. To help speed up the process of shrinking the hemorrhoid without medical interventions (more likely to prove effective for smaller hemorrhoids), patients can start to increase water intake, fiber consumption, physical activity, and can take a sitz bath. A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath that can contain additives like medication and is frequently used for patients with hemorrhoids to provide pain relief as well as promote blood flow and muscle loosening to help speed up the healing process of hemorrhoids. There are also some topical creams or medications that can be applied to the hemorrhoid to help speed up the healing process and increase comfort until it has entirely gone away.

The timeline for a hemorrhoid to completely go away varies from person to person, most often depending on the size and severity of the hemorrhoid. Typically speaking, smaller hemorrhoids will go away without any treatment within a few days and any associated pain or discomfort will often dissipate within 2 to 3 days. Larger hemorrhoids that are external will likely take a bit longer to heal and are more likely to lead to experienced discomfort and pain, more often requiring medical interventions for treatment. Very severe hemorrhoids may last for weeks without any treatment but should be checked out by a healthcare provider long before weeks have passed to reduce discomfort and pain.

If you are dealing with hemorrhoids, it is important to prevent them from worsening so that they can heal as quickly as possible. Factors that can lead to a worsened hemorrhoid include consuming foods that are very low in fiber or high in fat and putting increased pressure on the already swollen veins from straining or doing heavy lifting. High levels of stress or anxiety can also lead to worsening hemorrhoids so it is recommended that patients try their best to minimize stressful situations as much as possible and to avoid picking or scratching at the hemorrhoid as that can lead to irritation or complications. To help increase comfort during bowel movements, it is common for patients with hemorrhoids to use laxatives, but they can be easily overused during this healing period, so it is very important to be mindful of how frequently laxatives are being used during this time.

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