Piles, or hemorrhoids that are internal and external, affect numerous adults each year. Many people are uncomfortable talking about their symptoms, which makes it difficult to locate good advice. Fortunately, this article is filled with practical means of preventing and treating hemorrhoids.
Improving your bathroom hygiene practices can make it less likely that external hemorrhoids will form. Choose a soft toilet paper and use moistened wipes after your bowel movements.
If hemorrhoids are bugging you, relief might just be in sight. Sitz baths are very helpful. You can sit in one many times each day for several minutes each time. Try using a cold compress on the area of inflammation for some additional relief.
Ice and heat applications can ease hemorrhoid pain. The cold will help shrink your hemorrhoid and the heat will promote healing. Apply ice to the area affected for about ten minutes every day, and follow it with moist heat for twenty minutes.
Witch Hazel
Use witch hazel to ease all of the discomfort and pain associated with hemorrhoids. Witch hazel relieves pain because it shrinks hemorrhoid tissue. Use cotton balls to apply witch hazel, and allow it to sit on the affected area for somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes, or simply pour some into your sitz bath.
When dealing with hemorrhoids, be careful not to expose the affected areas to products containing dyes, essential oils, or fragrances. Exposure to these substances can cause the hemorrhoids to sting, become more painful and make the itching intensify.
If you are trying too hard when involved in a bowel movement, you may give yourself hemorrhoids. Making a diet change to one with more water and fewer processed foods will make it easier to pass stools. Elevating the knees can also make it easier to pass stool without straining. One way to acquire the best body positioning is to use a small stool to rest your feet while you are seated in the bathroom. In places where people squat instead of sitting down for bowel movements, hemorrhoids are uncommon.
Ice Pack
Stop hemorrhoid irritation and pain by using ice. The pain of hemorrhoids can be excruciating. A homemade ice pack can minimize swelling, which then lessens your pain. For even more relief, you can replace ice with warmer compresses and keep switching back and forth between the two. You can also use this technique while taking a warm bath. Simply bring an ice pack with you, and alternate between sitting in the tub and sitting on the ice pack. This can help to relieve the discomfort caused by the pain, swelling and itchiness of hemorrhoids.
A portable cushion can help in various situations, no matter how silly it sounds. You might feel a bit shy about using your special cushion at work, but you should definitely use it in your car and in your chair at home. It will bring you a lot of relief.
Commercial treatments for hemorrhoids can be costly and often ineffective, so give some natural methods a shot. Spending a few minutes in a lukewarm sitz bath, for instance, can offer some relief form hemorrhoid discomfort. Don't scratch, even if you're itching, because this will only make the problem worse. Instead, use witch hazel to dampen some pads and apply them on the hemorrhoids to get relief. Fill your diet with plenty of fiber, and be sure to drink lots of water, at least eight glasses a day. A balanced diet will translate to a more regular digestive system and fewer hemorrhoids outbreaks.
Now that you've read this entire article, you should be better prepared to treat the painful symptoms of hemorrhoids. If you apply this advice to your life, your hemorrhoid problems will be a thing of the past.