December 21, 2009
A hemorrhoid is an enlarged and swollen vein occurring inside, outside or around the anus. There are signs to determine if you have hemorrhoids on your anus: throbbing pain, itching or burning sensation, and protruding soft tissue lump outside your anus. Also, when you see bright red blood on your stool or on the toilet paper, the bleeding might be caused by hemorrhoids. There are home remedies for minor hemorrhoids. Here are some suggestions.
Taking sitz baths can be be used as a home hemorrhoid cure. This bath is therapeutic. When you take this type of hydrotherapy, the itchiness and pain will be relieved without the need for medicines. The tools that you can use are sitz bath seats, buckets, or bathtubs. If you choose the first one, it is most likely that there is a bag and tube with it that supplies the needed warm water while using it.
When you have any of these containers, fill it up with warm water. Then sit in it for at least 15 minutes. You could do this for at least 3 times a day. Note that you should thoroughly dry your skin via gentle patting with a soft towel to avoid chafing the irritated area. And while some sitz bath therapies are suggested to be best when the water has salt, do not do so. The salt would only cause further discomfort.
To reduce pain and swelling, petroleum jelly or zinc oxide paste work well. Choose one and follow usage instructions. Note that you should only use one of these at a time, because their chemicals just might react adversely, burning the skin on and around the anus. Before applying, you need to rinse the area well. Use tap water, and dry with a soft towel or washcloth. Scented materials such as tissue paper, body wash, or soap should not be used, because chemicals within could lead to further irritation. Just dab a small amount on a piece of cotton and apply to the swollen area. Remember to keep the area dry and clean.
Another point to be aware of is your diet. Hemorrhoids can be caused by constipation, which is the result of insufficient fiber intake. Psyllium seeds and seed husks are a good source of dietary fiber, and will help you pass feces more easily. When your feces is softer, you are less likely to get hemorrhoids. At breakfast time, add a teaspoon of Psyllium seeds or husks to 8 ounces of water, and drink away. Do this for the first week. Come the second week, step it up by drinking another glass of the same at lunch. In the following weeks or until your bowel moves better, drink the mixture thrice a day. Do not take this with other fiber supplements, because too much fiber can lead to larger and therefore difficult-to-pass stools.
Other treatments include sitting posture and restrictions, and other over-the-counter medications. You should avoid sitting for a long period of time. When you sit too long, the heat around the anus area increases. Thus, there is further possibility of skin irritation, chafing and swelling.
Suppositories and pain relievers can also be used. The latter can minimize the burning sensation. The former can improve your bowel movement.
If symptoms or excessive rectal bleeding persist, you immediately need to consult a health professional. Do not take any of these home remedies as your condition may only worsen.
The last medication you might want to consider is a product called H Miracle. H Miracle was created a few years back by an ex sufferer of hemorrhoids called Holly Hayden. It has since gone on to become the top selling hemorrhoid treatment guide.