Hemorrhoids are one of those things most people have experienced but no one wants to talk about. They have been the subject of too many jokes on late night talk shows. Well, you don't have to talk about them, but you shouldn't ignore them. Here are some tips to help you deal effectively with hemorrhoids. --Then you can forget about them.
One of the most common causes of hemorrhoid formation is chronic bouts of constipation. Preventing constipation and encouraging more regular bowel movements can go a long way in avoiding both internal and external hemorrhoids. Look for natural constipation remedies, such as aloe vera juice. Aloe vera can also be taken in gel or capsule form.
As difficult as it may be, it is extremely important for you to resist the urge to scratch and paw at even the itchiest hemorrhoids. While it might provide temporary relief, the act of scratching can actually increase your risk of developing an infection or creating added discomfort and irritation.
If you are struggling with hemorrhoids, try to avoid straining for a bowel movement. You should wait until you are ready to go into the bathroom. Never try to force yourself to have a bowel movement. If you are not completely ready to use the bathroom, try exercising or walking to help with the bowel movement.
Your diet can have a significant impact on whether or not you are more prone to suffering from hemorrhoids. Certain foods and drinks can be especially irritating as they pass through the bowels. A diet that is filled with overly spicy foods or strong beverages like coffee, soda, and alcohol will put you at greater risk of forming hemorrhoids.
If you are presently suffering from either internal or external hemorrhoids, you should avoid wiping with ordinary dry toilet paper. Instead, use a moistened bathroom towelette that contains aloe vera, or use a medicated wipe. Dry toilet paper can leave residue; it can also aggravate the sensitive, inflamed tissues of the hemorrhoid.
If you are in a lot of pain because of your hemorrhoid, then you should try applying a topical cream to help relieve your hemorrhoid pain. These sorts of creams provide relief from your itching and burning pain. There are a wide variety of topical creams available on the consumer market.
If you are in a lot of pain from your hemorrhoids, go into your freezer and make an ice pack to put on your skin. Ice can help to numb the irritating aspects of your hemorrhoids, and can provide temporary relief for your skin. Apply ice to your skin for a quick solution.
If you have a very firm chair at work, bring a cushion to sit on during the day. This cushion can reduce the amount of friction that you have on your skin, which can limit the sores that you acquire. Find a soft gel cushion to sit on while at work.
If constipation is a big problem, you are going to have more hemorrhoids. Consider taking a good fiber supplement. This supplement will soften your stool and make it easier for you to pass bowel movements. This is great for the people that do not like to eat fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.
Consume fiber-rich foods, and drink plenty of water in order to soften feces. A softer stool means less stress when going to the bathroom, and this will naturally relieve pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. You can increase your consumption of specific fruits, such as papaya or watermelon, to help naturally 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 have hemorrhoids, you will want to stay away from all spicy foods (chili, hot sauce). These types of foods are very irritating to any current hemorrhoids. It is also recommended to avoid coffee, beer, and all types of carbonated beverages. Until you are feeling better, the blander foods you can eat, the better off you will be.
To relieve the pain, itching and inflammation of hemorrhoids, try medicated witch hazel pads. These special pads are soaked in witch hazel and can be tucked against the hemorrhoid to soothe the irritated area while shrinking the swelling. Witch hazel towelettes are also available, if you prefer a swipe-and-go solution.
You need to make sure that while you are suffering from hemorrhoids, you take extra care to keep your anal area extremely clean. The last thing you need is to infect your hemorrhoids. That can lead to a bacterial infection and an abscess in the anal area that will not be so easy to recover from.
Avoid scratching your hemorrhoids at all costs. Besides causing increased irritation, you can cause them to bleed and transfer germs from your hands. Hemorrhoids can easily become infected which can lead to deeper issues. Use a medicated ointment for those times when the itching or inflammation is too much to bear.
Doctors suggest that using a little petroleum jelly can help ease the pain of hemorrhoids. Before you defecate, smear a little petroleum jelly around the anus. This should help the passage of the stools. If it is a particularly hard stool, a little petroleum jelly can help avoid any injuries to the hemorrhoids.
In order to reduce hemorrhoids and the pain that comes along with them, use a hemorroidal cream. Although there are some that are available over the counter, the most effective hemorroidal creams are prescribed your doctor. He or she will decide which cream is best for you, depending on the severity.
Any symptoms you have that may be caused by hemorrhoids should be checked out by a physician. It can be difficult to distinguish a hemorrhoid from a polyp, which can cause people to freak out unnecessarily. Go get it looked at quickly if you cannot find it by yourself.
We hope these tips have helped you deal with an uncomfortable subject. Hemorrhoids are a small problem that can get much worse. It is best to really become informed, so you are able to treat them effectively before they have a chance to get worse. Enough said.
