Hemorrhoids generally go away with a combination of lifestyle changes, home treatments, and sometimes medical intervention. The main approaches to make hemorrhoids go away include:
- Eating a high-fiber diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and taking fiber supplements to soften stools and reduce straining during bowel movements.
- Drinking plenty of water to keep stools soft.
- Avoiding straining and not sitting on the toilet for long periods.
- Using over-the-counter creams, ointments, or suppositories containing ingredients like witch hazel, hydrocortisone, or lidocaine to reduce pain, itching, and swelling.
- Taking warm sitz baths several times a day for 10-15 minutes to soothe discomfort.
- Taking oral pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin if needed.
- Practicing good bowel habits like going to the bathroom when the urge occurs and elevating feet on a stool while sitting on the toilet to facilitate easier stool passage.
If symptoms persist beyond a week or if there is severe pain, bleeding, or prolapsed hemorrhoids, medical treatments such as rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or surgery may be necessary. Many hemorrhoids improve with these conservative measures within about a week.
