While discussion the topic is a delicate issue, millions of people suffering from hemorrhoids seek out advice regarding their prevention and treatment. This article offers some tips and advice for anyone going through the painful ailment of hemorrhoids.
You do not have to suffer needlessly through a bout of hemorrhoids with no relief at all. Try bathing the region with a sitz bath for 10 minutes several times throughout the day. A cold compress can relieve some of the pain and swelling.
Squatting Position
One risk factor for hemorrhoids is pushing too hard when defecating. To help make your stools pass easier, drink more water and eat less refined foods. Assuming a squatting position may make it easier to avoid straining while having a bowel movement. Place a low stool in your bathroom, and put your feet on it when you are using the toilet. In countries where people assume a squatting position during bowel movements, hemorrhoids are relatively rare.
Ice can be used to reduce hemorrhoid pain. Hemorrhoids can be exceptionally painful. An ice pack will help reduce the swelling and pain. Alternate between an ice pack and a warm compress. Sitting in a warm bath and alternating with an ice pack application, can also help reduce pain and swelling of hemorrhoids to make you more comfortable.
Experiment with natural home remedies before shelling out cash for expensive treatments and medications. Soaking in a warm tub for 15 minutes following a bowel movement can help to relax the area. Never scratch your hemorrhoids, no mater how much they itch, because this can aggravate the condition. Instead, you can put some witch hazel on a cotton pad and put it on the affected area. Drink at least eight cups of water each day, and eat plenty of fiber. This will prevent excessive straining during a bowel movement.
Heavy lifting could cause hemorrhoids. It puts strain on your body just like bowel movements do. When hemorrhoids are a recurring problem, it is imperative that you find another way to move those heavy objects other than you lifting them.
You should not rely on laxatives alone to make your stool bearable with hemorrhoids. Those products can only help with one movement, and do not address the root of the problem. Dietary changes are a better long term strategy to hemorrhoid management.
Keep your stool soft by drinking plenty of water each day and eat a diet that full of high fiber foods. When your stool is soft, it can prevent the strain of your bowel movement and help to prevent hemorrhoids or reduce the pain of those present. Fruits like watermelon, grapes and papaya are great for softening and moving your stool. Vegetables, such as okra and cabbage, are loaded with fiber and also help with the process. Drink enough water during the day to boost the effects.
Talk to your doctor to make sure it is hemorrhoids. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool could also be warning signs of something far more severe, like cancer. Get your condition diagnosed by a doctor so you can stop worrying. If you do have hemorrhoids, then your doctor can prescribe to you the best treatment for you to proceed with.
Simple warm water can be one of the easiest and best treatments to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. A ten minute soaking of the rectal area in warm water can be followed by the application of a cold compress for maximum relief. There are toilet baths that you can buy in any drug store.
Try to sit in a tub with warm water frequently, to relieve pain and swelling. Sitting in a tub with six to twelve inches of water, at lukewarm temperature, will increase blood flow and help reduce discomfort from hemorrhoids. While sitting in warm water, keep your knees up. Stay in the water for a good while, until it has started cooling, at the very least.
Slightly Warm
Soak in a slightly warm bath with your knees elevated. The warm water will bring soothing relief of the pain, reduce irritation and promote healing. The reason you want the water only slightly warm is because this helps to increase the blood flow around the area. This keeps the swelling and pain to a minimum. Do this regularly, and you will find some relief.
Use a hemorrhoid cream, but avoid overusing it. Creams do not actually alleviate any swelling or irritation, but they do numb the pain associated with hemorrhoids. Make sure you get approval from your doctor before you try and use them past a week. Excessive use can lead to even more pain.
A tip to avoid injuries to your hemorrhoids is to try to gently push them back inside the anus. If your hemorrhoids have not expanded too much, they should fit inside. This will stop them from rubbing into your clothing and it will minimize possible injury. If they hurt or are too big, do not try this and risk injury.
If you notice that your hemorrhoids are no longer held within your body, you should try to very gently push them back inside of your body. You should wash your hands thoroughly before trying this to avoid introducing bacteria into the area and increasing your inflammation. If the area is still unnaturally swollen, you should consult a physician for further guidance. However, a small amount of swelling is to be expected.
Some simple exercises of the anus can prevent hemorrhoids. When you neglect your anus muscles, you stop blood flow to your anus which can actually make hemorrhoids manifest. A few times a day, spend several minutes flexing these muscles for five seconds at a time and then releasing.
Stay away from the foods that cause you intestinal gas. When you are passing the gas you can strain the rectum, and this could cause inflamed hemorrhoids. Avoiding gas-causing foods is always a good idea.
You may not wish to include information about hemorrhoids in daily conversation, but it can be invaluable if you or a person you know is suffering from this frustrating condition. If you use these tips and follow your doctor's recommendations, you can avoid or treat hemorrhoids.