Table of contents:
- 1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day
- 2. Eat a high fiber diet
- 3. Take a sitz bath
- 4. Avoid using toilet paper
- 5. Applying cold compresses
- 6. Apply witch hazel ointment
- 7. Be careful when sitting
2023 Author: Benjamin Dyson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 01:37
Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the final region of the intestine, which usually inflame causing pain and discomfort, especially when defecating and sitting.
Most hemorrhoids usually go away with home remedies like sitz baths, however, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, for example, may also be needed to help relieve pain and inflammation.
So, 7 homemade tips to deal with hemorrhoids and help relieve symptoms include:
1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day
Keeping your body well hydrated is one of the simplest ways to relieve hemorrhoid pain. This is because, when you are well hydrated, the body has a greater ability to heal and the stools are also not very hard, causing no irritation when they pass through the hemorrhoids.
To ensure adequate hydration, you should drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day, or the equivalent of 8 or 10 glasses a day, for example.
2. Eat a high fiber diet
Like water, fibers are also very important for those who have hemorrhoids, as they help make stools softer, since they are the fibers that are able to hold water.
In this way, in addition to helping to reduce pain during a hemorrhoid crisis, fibers also help prevent the emergence of new hemorrhoids, as they fight constipation. Some of the highest fiber foods include oats, prunes, flaxseeds or beans, for example.
Check out a more complete list of foods with fiber.
3. Take a sitz bath
Sitz baths are a type of natural treatment widely used to relieve hemorrhoid pain and discomfort, as they increase blood circulation to the site, accelerating healing and relieving irritation.
To do the sitz bath, place a few centimeters of warm water, around 37ยบ C, into a basin and then sit inside it, so that the hemorrhoids are completely submerged in the water.
See what plants you can add to the sitz bath to ensure a faster recovery.
4. Avoid using toilet paper
Although toilet paper is a very practical and simple way to wipe your butt after using the toilet, it has a very uneven surface and therefore can irritate hemorrhoids, making the pain worse.
Thus, the ideal thing is to clean it with moist tissues or wash the anus area in the bathtub after defecating, avoiding using soap.
5. Applying cold compresses
The heat of sitz baths is an excellent way to relieve pain and promote healing, however, if there is a very large swelling in the anus region, it is best to apply some compresses soaked in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes, avoiding using ice directly on the skin.
See how to prepare cold compresses correctly.
6. Apply witch hazel ointment
For external hemorrhoids, ointments with witch hazel are a great option, as they relieve irritation and also stimulate healing. Some examples of ointments with this plant include Hemovirtus or Proctosan, for example. Ointments should be applied 2 to 3 times a day, preferably after bathing.
See what other ointments can be used and how to prepare homemade witch hazel ointment.
7. Be careful when sitting
Simple everyday habits, such as sitting, can cause a lot of pain when you have hemorrhoids, as the increased pressure in the anus region reduces blood circulation to the area. So, to sit more comfortably, you can use a special pillow for hemorrhoids with a hole in the center, for example.
