If you're not sure how you should cope with your hemorrhoids, keep reading. Many people suffer from hemorrhoids, and are at a loss for what they should do when they crop up. Whether you want to prevent hemorrhoids or relieve the ones you already have, information is key.
To help prevent hemorrhoids, make sure your diet is full of fiber. Add foods with lots of fiber to your diet. These include green, leafy vegetables and whole grains. Fiber in your diet can encourage spontaneous activity of the bowels and prevent the need for straining.
One way to lower your risk of developing external hemorrhoids is to practice better bathroom hygiene. Toilet paper that is soft and does not leave behind residue is a good start. After each bowel movement, also use a moistened wipe for cleaning purposes.
Applying heat after some ice is an easy home remedy to fight against hemorrhoids. The alternation of extreme temperature causes the hemorrhoids to shrink and disappear. 10 minutes of ice, followed by 20 minutes of moist heat should be directed to the area at least once per day.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an effective topical treatment for relief from hemorrhoids. Witch hazel relieves pain because it shrinks hemorrhoid tissue. Put the witch hazel on with a piece of cotton and let it sit for five to ten minutes or have a sitz bath to put it in.
People who strain excessively while trying to have a bowel movement are more likely to develop hemorrhoids. Eating less processed food and drinking lots of water will make your stools softer, and thus require less straining to pass. Squatting also aids the process and reduces the need to strain during a bowel movement. Use a small stool for your feet while you go to the toilet. Interestingly, hemorrhoids don't plague cultures for whom it is customary to squat while using the toilet to the degree that they plague those accustomed to the porcelain niceties.
Dress up your water with some lemon to help relieve the discomfort of your hemorrhoids. Lemon juice contains nutrients that will relieve hemorrhoids by strengthening your capillaries and blood vessel walls. A simple glass or two of lemon water throughout the day can leave you feeling great.
Incorporate whole wheat products into your diet. It is better for your digestion and can be of particular importance when you suffer form hemorrhoids. It also prevents itching and irritation elsewhere on your body. From now on, use whole wheat bread in lieu of white.
Home remedies for hemorrhoids should be considered before spending any money on more expensive treatment options. Following bowel movements, try soaking in a lukewarm sitz bath for several minutes. Never scratch your hemorrhoids, no mater how much they itch, because this can aggravate the condition. Instead, use a witch hazel dampened pad on the hemorrhoids so you are able to get some relief temporarily. Eat plenty of foods with fiber, and drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day. This can help keep you from too much straining while having bowel movements.
You may get hemorrhoids just from heavy lifting. The strain that it puts on the body is equivalent to the stress that you put on your body when you try to force a bowel movement. When hemorrhoids are a recurring problem, it is imperative that you find another way to move those heavy objects other than you lifting them.
Simple warm water can be one of the easiest and best treatments to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. Soak the area in a warm bath for at least ten minutes per day, then use a cold towel to press against the swelling gently. A toilet bath can be useful for this, and can be found in many pharmacies.
Consume a lot of high fiber foods. If you eat a good deal of fiber, you will have softer stools. Stool softness is important for ease of elimination, and will greatly reduce any pain or discomfort. You can soften your stool by consuming plenty of fruit and fiber.
Laxatives are a short-term solution for avoiding hemorrhoids, but they are by no means the best option. The laxatives can help you through rough patches of constipation, so that you can have an easier bowel movement, but they're not a cure hemorrhoids.
Taking a bath in a warm tub is one good way to relieve the pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. If you sit in warm water, it will give you better blood flow to your hemorrhoids and it will help the pain. So make sure your knees are up when you sit. Don't be in a rush; stay until water temperature begins to reduce.
Now that you obtained some basic knowledge on treating hemorrhoids, you will be able to develop your own plan for success and alleviate your hemorrhoids at home. Ensure you educate yourself on the subject and use all the information to find the relief you need.