Although hemorrhoids are not often the topic of general conversations, many people, including some you know, suffer from this very painful and inhibiting condition. Arm yourself with the useful tips and tricks found in this selection of proven advice and treatment options, for both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Did you know that there are several things in your kitchen to help relieve some common symptoms of hemorrhoids? An ice pack is a quick and cheap remedy. When you use an ice pack you can decrease any soreness you have that is caused by your hemorrhoids. You can also significantly reduce the painful swelling by treating your hemorrhoids with your hand made ice pack.
If you have to exert yourself too much to have a bowel movement, you can cause yourself hemorrhoids. Making a diet change to one with more water and fewer processed foods will make it easier to pass stools. Squatting, instead of sitting, during a bowel movement also reduces the amount of straining required to defecate. When sitting down on the toilet, use a stool underneath your feet. Hemorrhoids are less common in countries where people squat instead of sitting.
There are two types of hemorrhoids that are common in humans and while they have many similarities there are also several key differences. The most common and easiest type of this is an external hemorrhoid which is really not all that different from a varicose vein and can be treated very easily.
If you are planning on going out with your friends, try to avoid alcohol at all costs. It is very important to stay hydrated when you have hemorrhoids, as alcohol will just serve to dehydrate you even further. Stick to water or refrain from drinking when you are going out.
Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do if you have hemorrhoids because it will hurt the quality of your immune system. This will directly impact your hemorrhoids, causing more irritation and redness on your skin. Reduce or quit smoking entirely to improve your condition and well-being.
Eat high-fiber foods to soften your stool. Try eating plenty of fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, grapes, papaya, raspberries and watermelon, as well as high-fiber vegetables like artichoke, beans, broccoli, cabbage, guava, kangkong (water spinach), okra, peas and prunes. Try to drink eight to ten glasses of water a day.
Use proper lifting techniques with heavy objects. The strain you put on your body with lifting is equivalent to the stress of straining in the bathroom. This can not only affect other areas of your body, but strain your anus as well. If you can avoid lifting heavy objects all together you will keep the strain to a minimum.
To prevent hemorrhoids from flaring up get plenty of exercise. This is really important if your job requires long hours at a desk. When you are constantly sitting it putts additional strain on the veins in the rectum area which can lead to hemorrhoids. Try taking a break every half an hour to stand and stretch your muscles.
If you are overweight, this can definitely lead to the development of hemorrhoids. When you have extra weight on your body, there is more pressure in your abdominal and waist area, as well as a high amount of pressure in the veins that are located in the anus. Try to make sure that you are at a healthy weight for your size.
Lose a little weight. Hemorrhoids are most common in people who are overweight, so dropping a few pounds can make all the difference. Incorporating ten to fifteen minutes of exercise into your daily routine is an easy way to both lose weight and keep any painful hemorrhoid issues at bay.
To alleviate hemorrhoid pain and assist with the healing process, try taking a sitz bath. You can do this in the tub, however a sitz bath basin is more effective. The basin fits in the toilet and comes with a bag that enables fresh water to run over the area. Some people choose to add baking soda or special oils to the bath. The sizt bath should last at least 15 minutes and is most effective when done three times a day.
Soak in a slightly warm bath with your knees elevated. The warmth from the water can alleviate hemorrhoid pain, irritation, and swelling. 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. You'll feel better when you do this often.
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 can prevent them from rubbing on your clothes. 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 your internal hemorrhoids have become external ones, attempt to carefully push them back inside. Avoid bacteria and inflamed tissues by cleansing your hands thoroughly. 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.
Eat plenty of garlic. Garlic has been shown to help soothe the intestines, which in turn helps to relieve swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids. Most doctors recommend eating at least 2 full cloves a day for the maximum benefits, and some doctors even say you can insert a clove in the rectum.
Using the information that you have just read, you will be more informed and better prepared to deal with the pain and discomfort that accompanies hemorrhoids. While treating the symptoms is important, preventing hemorrhoids is even better. If you combine these guidelines with sound medical guidance, you should be able to avoid hemorrhoids.