My Hemorrhoids Were Treated – Will They Recur?

Hemorrhoids can be treated in a number of different ways, with self-care methods being the most popular.  The majority of cases will resolve by following some simple lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet and drinking greater volumes of water. Adding over-the-counter remedies to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain while the body heals, is also beneficial.  However, for persistent cases of hemorrhoids that do not respond to this, banding or surgery are also options. Banding is preferred because it is less invasive and can be performed in the office, not requiring a general anesthetic. Within a week of the tight elastic band being placed around the base of each hemorrhoid, it will fall off and pass out of the body with the fecal material. This is as a result of the blood supply being cut off.  Surgery requires a general anesthetic in an outpatient surgical center, so it is only used as a last resort, when banding has been unsuccessful or if the hemorrhoids are extremely large.

Regardless of which treatment methods you and your proctologist agree to use, you should find that your hemorrhoids will soon heal. However, unless you also address the cause of your hemorrhoids, you will also notice that they can recur relatively quickly. You will probably have been given some advice about how to use self-help methods to reduce your hemorrhoid symptoms during your initial consultation with your chosen colorectal surgeon.  Think about what was said, and also ask your doctor if you can have a copy of it in writing, so that you can refer back to it on a regular basis. This will include the changes to your diet that were mentioned previously, and also some changes to your daily routine. Being more active will reduce your risk of the hemorrhoids recurring, so even if your job requires you to be seated for the majority of the time, make sure you stand up and move around at least once an hour.

Don’t be tempted to eat lunch at your desk, either. An increasing number of people are doing this, thinking that it will make them more productive. While it is highly unlikely to improve your productivity, what it does do is have a negative impact on your health, and you may be surprised at its effects. By not taking regular breaks, it is more likely that you will gain weight, which puts you at a greater risk of developing hemorrhoids. If you have been treated for the condition already, it means that they are more likely to recur. Any additional weight within the body increases the pressure on the veins of the anus and rectum, making them swell. It is this swelling that will develop into a hemorrhoid, over time. By being more active and getting away from your desk, perhaps even going for a brisk walk, you will considerably reduce your risk of any hemorrhoids recurring. Exercise will also help to maintain a healthy weight and also encourage the regular movement of material through the digestive system. The regular movement will also help to reduce the risk of hemorrhoids.

So, although hemorrhoids can recur after treatment, by following the advice given by your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon, you are less likely to experience further problems.