For the most part, haemorrhoids, although highly uncomfortable and for many, embarrassing to mention, are relatively simple to treat. A mild case can even clear up on its own. It is fairly rare for hemorrhoids to result in further health complications.
Haemmorrhoids - What can go wrong?
When complications occur, the following can happen:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Skin tags
- Infection (often occurring on a sore that develops in an external haemorrhoid)
- Strangulated haemorrhoids: Blood supply which is cut off can cause extreme / severe pain (internal haemorrhoids).
- Anaemia: Although rare, chronic blood loss from a haemorrhoid can lead to a shortage of red blood cells (RBCs), making a person anaemic (not enough healthy blood cells carrying oxygen around the body).
Can haemorrhoids recur?
Haemorrhoid treatment measures can effectively improve this condition. A mild case of hemorrhoids can improve within a week. A thrombosed haemorrhoid can show improvement within 7 to 10 days. Within a handful of weeks, the lump can shrink.
Preventative measures can both treat existing haemorrhoids and significantly reduce the odds of new formations in the future.
Much research has been done to determine the rate of haemorrhoid recurrence. Surgical treatments have been noted to have a significantly lower rate of recurrence, but such means do not guarantee that once a haemorrhoid has been treated successfully, another will never happen again.
The best means of reducing the odds of recurrence is to start and maintain healthier lifestyle changes that better enable control over a body prone to haemorrhoid formations. Getting into the habit of eating well, staying consistently hydrated and exercising regularly can go a long way to ensuring overall health. Hemorrhoids may not be an entirely curable condition, but can be controlled.