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Ouch! That stinging and burning and pain and itching...will they ever stop? You can't sleep, you can't walk, you can't even sit still! Is there anything you can do to get some immediate relief? Yep! Try these ideas: Each or the 4 ideas will show you improvement almost immediately 1. Sitz bath: The name comes from a German word "sitzen" which means "to sit". A sitz bath then just means to soak your buttocks in a bit of warm water for about 20 minutes 2-3 times a day. This is helpful for a few reasons. For one thing, the warm water will increase blood flow to the area and carry away some of the fluid that has accumulated in the tissue which causes swelling and pain. The warm water will also relax the muscles in the anal area that have become tight and are "pulling". Lastly, the warm water will thoroughly cleanse the anal area, removing debris from blood, stool, and mucus that may have collected in the crevices around the anus, causing burning and itching. 2. Ice packs: Hmmm. Didn't we just say to use heat? So, what's with the ice? Ice packs will reduce the heat in the anal area and cause the increased blood supply which we have just brought on with the sitz bath to suddenly decrease, thus causing a rapid movement of blood through the area. Some people alternate the sitz bath and ice packs during the day. Others use two tubs and soak the buttocks in the warm water and immediately follow with the cold water. Whatever works to ease your discomfort is the right way...for you. 3. OTC creams and ointments. OTC (over-the-counter) preparations are available for you to gently rub directly onto the external hemorrhoids. They are designed to reduce the pain, itching, and inflammation of the hemorrhoids if they are the external kind (located on the outside of the anus). Creams and ointments will not help the hemorrhoids that are inside the rectum (internal) nor will they help prolapsed (clotted) piles or those that are constantly prolapsed (protruding). Check with your doctor for help in these conditions. 4. Bottoms up!: Get the pressure off of your hemorrhoids whenever you can. If you can lie down on your side for 20 minutes, it will at least temporarily relieve some of the pressure and allow the body to regulate blood flow to the area. If it is impossible for you to lie down, at least stand up once in a while and while you are sitting, shift your weight from one buttocks to the other. There are other measures you need to institute right away for longer term help (fiber, water, bowel habits and so on). We've talked about these before...and they are important if you want to avoid flare-ups in the future. For now though, let's just get through the crisis! Until next time.
Do you want to learn more about getting rid of your hemorrhoids? If so, download my brand new free e-book "Getting Rid of Hemorrhoids" here.
(You may learn how to avoid a visit to the doctor.)
HemorrhoidCure101.com
Sue Bristol, R.N.
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