Many people do not realize that hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins. The condition is painful and can be internal, located on the wall of the rectum or external, located in the anal canal. External hemorrhoids can be observed during a physical examination. They are internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed through the anal opening. You can discover a few ways to help you deal with your hemorrhoids, in this article.
If you have ever suffered from hemorrhoids, then that is something you don't want to go through again. Always be sure to go to the bathroom when the urge strikes. You don't want to wait to have a bowel movement, because delaying this may lead to constipation, which then may lead to the development of hemorrhoids.
One of the easiest home treatments to aid in the healing, from the painful burning and itching of hemorrhoids, is a sitz bath. A good recipe for a sitz bath is witch hazel. Fill your tub with warm water and add at least one cup of witch hazel to your water. Sit in this warm mixture for 10-15 minutes, at least three times per day. Within three to four days, your hemorrhoids will be gone.
Your job or lifestyle may have an effect on your hemorrhoid symptoms. If you have a desk job or spend a lot of time sitting while you're at home, make sure to give yourself some relief by walking around for a few minutes every hour. This takes the direct pressure off your hemorrhoids. Also, if your job involves a lot of heavy lifting, try to exhale as you bear the brunt of the load. Holding your breath exerts pressure on the hemorrhoids and may cause them to become more painful.
Hemorrhoids are just as bad as chicken pox in terms of resisting the urge to scratch them. If you scratch, you may exacerbate the condition by causing small tears in the tissue. If your hemorrhoids are torn open, you can have even more pain, and you may get an infection.
If you are suffering from hemorrhoids, never wipe with dry toilet paper, put some water on it or get some flush-able wet wipes. If you use dry toilet paper, you are going to scrape the hemorrhoids open which causes them a longer time to heal and will cause you more pain.
Do not spend too much time on the toilet waiting for a bowel movement to happen. It will only happen when your body is ready to make it happen. Sitting on the toilet reading a book for an hour is not going to help at all. Only try to go when you have the strong urge to go.
If you find that you are in constant pain from hemorrhoids and you are overweight, you may want to consider starting a serious diet and fitness routine. If you can lose some weight, you will eliminate some of the pressure that the extra weight is putting on the veins that are in the anus, which causes the hemorrhoids.
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.
To help ease constipation, try taking a brisk walk before your regular bowel movement. This can assist your body in functioning better, and properly prepare the bowels when the time comes for them to move. This is a good way to reduce the strain you put on your hemorrhoids. Even fifteen minutes of briskly walking around your neighborhood is enough to help.
If you aren't quite ready to go yet, don't sit down on the toilet until you are ready. Oftentimes, people will read a magazine or newspaper while they're seated on the toilet waiting to relieve themselves. However, they may not realize that this still places a strain on their rectal area. Your hemorrhoids may be affected by gravity as well, so if you feel like you need to sit down, do so.
Avoid scratching hemorrhoids. If you end up scratching the area, you can worsen the condition, make them bleed, and allow infection to set in. You may, however, give the area a mild cleansing with a wet washcloth used gently. If the area is unclean, it might itch, so gently using the cloth is beneficial to relieve itching.
You can soothe your painful, itchy, inflamed hemorrhoids with plain water! Cold water compresses can help as well as a sitz bath you can find at most any pharmacy. It fits over the toilet seat and you can fill it with warm water for a soothing effect. sit on the sitz bath for about 10 minutes for best effects.
In order to prevent hemorrhoids from forming, you have to make sure that you are not constipated. Constipation is one of the major causes of hemorrhoids. Be sure that you are getting a sufficient amount of water in your diet everyday. Doctors recommend drinking 8 glasses, or 64 ounces of water a day.
This condition can cause discomfort, itching and pain. Warm baths and topical medications can ease these symptoms and sometimes, shrink the hemorrhoids. In severe cases, surgical removal is necessary. It is a painful surgery and healing time is not pleasant. Prevention is a better way to go. Avoid straining when having a bowel movement and do not remain in a sitting or standing position for a prolonged period of time. Hopefully, after reading this article, you have discovered some great tips on how to prevent and treat hemorrhoids.