If you or a loved one has ever been afflicted with hemorrhoids, or piles, it's fairly safe to assume that neither of you would welcome a recurrence of the condition. Keep these tips in mind and you may be able to save yourself the pain and itching of hemorrhoids.
A long-term effective treatment for uncomfortable and painful hemorrhoids is to eat a lot of fiber. Try eating foods that are rich in fiber such as green leafy veggies, pastas and breads made of whole grains and oatmeal. Bowel motility thrives with regular fiber, and a lot of fiber also reduces the straining that encourages hemorrhoids to form.
Make sure to cleanse the area well if you have hemorrhoids. Moist towelettes are more effective and more comfortable that paper for proper cleansing. For added relief from the swelling and pain of hemorrhoids, try a lukewarm sitz bath. Soak in your bath for 20 minutes.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is very helpful for relieving discomfort, pain, and itching associated with hemorrhoids. This astringent shrinks and constricts the swollen tissues and provides cooling relief. You can add witch hazel in a sitz bath. You can also apply it using a cotton ball, but only leave it on for about 10 minutes.
To get relief from hemorrhoids, apply ice to the affected area. Inflamed hemorrhoids can cause significant pain. Prepare an ice pack for the area, to relieve some of the swelling and accompanying pain. Use a warm compress after using an ice pack. You can help your hemorrhoids by alternating sitting in a nice warm bath and using an ice pack.
If you are dealing with hemorrhoid issues, include a little lemon in the water you drink. The pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids can be lessened by the soothing qualities of lemon. Several glasses of lemon water a day will help you feel better.
Although there are a number of medications used to treat hemorrhoids, you may find some relief with homemade remedies. Allowing yourself to soak in a sitz bath offers some relief. Limit your time in the tub to about 15 minutes, and repeat after each bowel movement. Hemorrhoids can be quite itchy, but you want to avoid scratching because this will just aggravate the area more. Instead of scratching your hemorrhoids, apply witch hazel to them. Witch hazel will stop the hemorrhoids from itching for a little while. You can also reduce irritation by eating plenty of fiber, and drinking plenty of water. A balanced diet will translate to a more regular digestive system and fewer hemorrhoids outbreaks.
Though it may come as a surprise, lifting heavy items can lead to hemorrhoids. This physical, muscular strain is similar to the pressure that you exert when you are constipated. If you have recurring hemorrhoids, avoid lifting any heavy objects altogether.
Water is one of the best treatments against hemorrhoids. Simply spend ten minutes each day soaking the irritated area in warm water. Afterwards, wet a towel with cold water and hold it against your hemorrhoids. Ingredients for a sitz bath can be purchased from drugstores and at many grocery stores.
You should drink plenty of water daily. This is, in fact, among the best natural remedies there are for this difficult condition. Being well hydrated prevents constipation, which is a cause of hemorrhoids. The water also helps cleanse your body of toxins, which can contribute to poor bowel function. Most people should drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Try adding more high fiber foods to your diet. Stools will inevitably be softer when fiber is present in the diet on a regular basis. Pushing can be avoided when the stools are softer, leading to less pain. Fiber supplements and fruits can soften your stool.
Hydration is very important in the prevention of hemorrhoids. If your body is dehydrated, it affects your stool. The result is stool that is too hard to pass and it can be painful when you go to the bathroom. Make sure that you consume the daily recommended amount of 32oz of water per day, and then dehydration will not occur.
Keep away from spicy and hot food, and caffeine. Foods like this aggravate your intestines, and this can have a negative impact on your hemorrhoids. Spicy foods can even inflame your hemorrhoids to the point of burning when you are not using the restroom, so steering clear can be beneficial to your system.
Temporary Relief
Laxatives can offer temporary relief, but they aren't a long-term solution. They will only provide temporary relief of your discomfort.
You can actually relieve yourself of a lot of swelling and pain by sitting in a warm tub as frequently you need. If you sit in warm water, it will give you better blood flow to your hemorrhoids and it will help the pain. Try to sit straight with your knees bent. Sit as long as you can, adding more warm water as necessary to stay comfortable.
Hemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable and even painful. If you have them, it is important that you take the steps necessary to relieve the pain. If you can apply these different methods above, you can begin to experience some much needed hemorrhoid relief. By using this knowledge, you can help avoid the condition in the future, or lessen its impact.