Many people experience hemorrhoids at some point, even pregnant women. Increased pressure on the veins in the pelvic area is the key culprit. Though a lot of people suffer from them, it is not a topic that many like to bring up. This article provides useful information that can help you understand how people get hemorrhoids, what steps you can take to prevent them, and how to treat and manage them.
A simple remedy you can use at home is applying ice, then heat. Alternating between ice and heat helps minimize the size of the hemorrhoid and helps it to heal. A 10 minute application of ice can be followed by 20 minutes with a moist heat application for maximum results.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an excellent way to treat the discomfort that goes along with hemorrhoids. Witch hazel contains natural ingredients that reduce the size of the hemorrhoid, thus, providing relief. Put the witch hazel on a cotton ball, leaving it there for about five to ten minutes, or go with a sitz bath.
Drinking plenty of water is a good way to avoid getting hemorrhoids, especially if you are someone who suffers from them frequently. Your stools will be softer if you are hydrated. Caffeine and alcohol consumption should be limited.
Cold treatments are usually effective at relieving the stinging pain of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can cause severe pain. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and decrease pain. For even more relief, you can replace ice with warmer compresses and keep switching back and forth between the two. A very effective approach, in fact, is the use of a warm bath alternated with cold compresses or ice packs.
Knowing about hemorrhoids can be helpful. You should be sure to educate yourself on this topic if you or someone you love has this problem. Hemorrhoids happen when nerve endings become sensitive and swollen.
A portable, donut-style cushion may seem like a silly accessory, but it can increase your comfort in situations where you must sit. While a cushion may make you feel slightly ridiculous, it will relieve some of the pressure and pain you feel when sitting. It is especially useful in a car where you are constantly sitting in one position.
Many hemorrhoids are caused by overexerting sphincter muscles, causing chronic irritation. If you deal with recurrent hemorrhoids, you should reconsider how your day-to-day activities affect your pain levels.
Even if your hemorrhoids are unbearably itchy, do not scratch them. It's important to resist the powerful need to scratch them, which can cause them to bleed. Not only will the rips create additional pain, but they will increase the chances of infections from foreign bacteria.
Keep your stool soft by drinking plenty of water each day and eat a diet that full of high fiber foods. Strain will be reduced and hemorrhoid pain averted with simple steps to soften your stool. Some fruits will help soften your stool. You can also soften your stool by eating more fiber-rich vegetables, such as cabbage. Finally, drinking a lot of water can help.
If you are suffering from constipation, go for a walk prior to using the bathroom. This can assist your body in functioning better, and properly prepare the bowels when the time comes for them to move. By doing this, you can avoid unnecessary straining that will make hemorrhoids worsen or become irritated. Walk briskly for about 15 minutes.
Do not sit down on the commode until you need to go. A lot of people like to read while on the toilet, however, this is not recommended because you could be straining unconsciously. Gravity can also worsen hemorrhoids, so ensure that you are ready to go before you sit on the toilet.
Hemorrhoid creams can often help, but don't use them too often. These products don't actually cure the problem, instead they're just a band-aid solution. Check with your physician if you have to put these on for longer than seven days. Applying them too frequently can actually result in greater discomfort.
Gently push any hemorrhoids back into the anus. It is typically pretty easy to nudge a few small hemorrhoids back inside. This prevents them from getting damaged due to friction from your clothing or objects you might sit on. Stop pushing on the hemorrhoid if you feel pain. Also, you should never try to adjust the position of a large hemorrhoid, as you can hurt yourself if you do.
If you feel your hemorrhoids have come outside of your body, try gently pushing them back inside. Wash your hands first to avoid getting an infection and making things worse. If your hemorrhoids aren't too large, you should be able to accomplish this fairly easily, thereby protecting the hemorrhoids from injury and irritation. You may also want to make an appointment to see your physician afterward, simply as a precaution.
A good way to prevent hemorrhoids is to do anus exercises. Blood will flow more easily to your anus if you flex the muscles in that area. Every few hours, flex your anus muscles a few times, hold it for five seconds and then release.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a wonderful home remedy that can help with hemorrhoids. Olive oil, as strange as it may seem, is known for its ability to reduce swelling and relieve itching caused by hemorrhoids. Apply the olive oil to the external hemorrhoids only. It is not to be used on internal hemorrhoids.
As mentioned earlier, hemorrhoids are particularly common during pregnancy and immediately after having a child. They can be quite painful. This is due to an increase in anal pressure. You can create a plan for prevention and cure based on the information that has been provided to you here, and this could very well ease the suffering that you are experiencing.