There are a number of available remedies for hemorrhoids such as a change in diet and increase in fluids, specialized bathing solutions or simple over the counter ointments. Generally speaking, surgery is unnecessary except in very severe situations. By reading this article, you can get a grasp on understanding hemorrhoids and ways to alleviate them.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is very helpful for relieving discomfort, pain, and itching associated with hemorrhoids. Witch hazel has astringent properties that will shrink the hemorrhoid tissues, which will promote healing. Apply witch hazel to a cotton ball then let it set for up to 10 minutes. You can also add it in a sitz bath.
One common cause of recurrent hemorrhoids is a failure to consume enough water. Staying hydrated will keep your stools softer. You should avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Ice is usually pretty good for alleviating hemorrhoid pain. In addition to being itchy, hemorrhoids are extremely painful. Take an ice pack and apply it to the inflamed area in order to reduce the amount of swelling and minimize the pain. For ever better results, alternate between an ice pack and a heat pack. Soaking in a lukewarm tub and then switching to a cold compress, is a good way to ameliorate the discomfort and swelling caused by hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid pain and irritation can be reduced by drinking water flavored with a little lemon. Lemons can help you because they thin the bloodstream and reduce inflammation that may be causing you discomfort. For a sour kick throughout the day, add some lemon juice to your drinking water.
Eat whole wheat bread to facilitate the digestive process. It can also reduce irritation and redness on your skin. When you're planning to make your next sandwich, make sure you chose wheat instead of white.
Hemorrhoids are often caused by the overexertion of sphincter muscles. Therefore, if you suffer from hemorrhoids, you must be careful with your diet and any activities that cause stress to this area of the body.
Give some natural remedies a try before you spend money on pricey hemorrhoid treatments. Sitting in a sitz bath can decrease the inflammation, pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can itch like crazy, but it's important not to scratch since this will just make things worse. Applications of witch hazel on a clean pad can be very effective in relieving the itch. Of course, it's important to eat fiber-rich foods and drink a lot of water. This can help keep you from too much straining while having bowel movements.
No matter what you believe, lifting something heavy can cause hemorrhoids. 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. If you are frequently troubled by hemorrhoids, stay away from heavy lifting in general, even between flare ups.
Losing weight may actually help you to avoid hemorrhoids. Being overweight can significantly increase problems with hemorrhoids. Extra weight puts a lot of strain on your lower body, including your anal veins. Make a diet that contains mostly foods with high fiber in them to help reduce the pressure on your abdomen. Make sure you avoid excessively using laxatives; you don't want to hurt your body as using them too much can be very unhealthy.
Painful Hemorrhoids
As we have discussed before, there are a lot of ways you can deal with painful hemorrhoids. Surgical treatment is generally not appropriate except in cases of very serious hemorrhoids. If you learn what causes them and how to stop them, you can find relief from painful hemorrhoids.