For patients with hemorrhoids, one of the main concerns is the amount of time it takes for this condition to heal. It is because of the discomfort patients experience due to this condition.
The duration of time for a hemorrhoid to completely heal differ from one person to another. Also, in knowing how long hemorrhoids last, factors such as the severity of the condition, kind of hemorrhoid, the treatment program implemented, lifestyle and health status of the patient, are put into consideration.
Patients who experience this dilemma for the first time are at a decreased risk of them recurring. On the other hand, those who had them for two to three times have more chance of getting them often in the future. The more frequent a hemorrhoid develops, the longer it takes for it to heal.
More often, minor hemorrhoids heal on its own after three to four days. The forms that are severe may take a couple of weeks before their full recovery. Specifically, internal hemorrhoids normally last from a month or two, whereas external hemorrhoids which formed a blood clot usually heal after three weeks to three months. However, with the external type, recovery period may become longer if the pile of inflamed veins has grown in size and quantity.
Undergoing a treatment also contributes to how long hemorrhoids last. For instance, treating hemorrhoids using what is referred to as ligation treatment can cure the condition within seven to ten days. In ligation treatment, the doctor uses a special kind of elastic bands to block blood supply in the hemorrhoids or swollen vessels. Moreover, infrared coagulation which utilizes an infrared-powered device to make the blood coagulate or clot inside the veins, is able to treat the condition within three to four weeks. Other surgical interventions for serious form of this disease may take weeks or months to entirely heal the affected area.
Apart from the hemorrhoidal treatment and its type, how long hemorrhoids last is also determined by the kind of lifestyle the patient maintains. Unhealthy diet and sedentary living can complicate the condition and can make the problem more difficult to cure. It is important for individuals with this condition to consume foods that are abundant in fiber and to drink a lot of water. In addition, exercising regularly will help. Keep in mind that a poor standard of living can be a cause of the recurrence of hemorrhoids.
There are circumstances when the health condition of the patient with this ailment, is also taken into account. An example would be pregnant women with hemorrhoids. Pregnancy has been considered as one of the key causes of this disease. It is because the baby inside the womb brings additional weight that creates increased pressure in the abdomen. Pregnant women with the ailment will continue to suffer from this condition until their pregnancy period has completed. Their condition usually heal after nine months.
Hemorrhoids are not a dangerous or deadly condition. They heal on their own, even without any medical intervention. However, if symptoms persist even after the average healing period, hemorrhoids may be an indication of a more serious colon or gastrointestinal disease.