Difference between revisions of "Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Naturally"
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| − | + | Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that can be found either externally or internally around the anus. They are caused by increased pressure on the pelvic and rectal veins and are related to constipation, diarrhea and straining to pass a stool. The most common symptom is bleeding during a bowel movement—you may notice blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Hemorrhoids can also be itchy and painful. Hemorrhoids are most often caused by straining during a bowel movement. They can also be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, and by pregnancy. In pregnancy, hemorrhoids are due to the extra strain from carrying a baby and the resulting extra pressure on the veins of the lower abdomen.<ref name="rf15577">http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/causes-risk-factors.html</ref> | |
| − | [[Category:Home Remedies]] | + | [[Category: Home Remedies]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Treating Hemorrhoids Naturally=== | ===Treating Hemorrhoids Naturally=== | ||
#Determine whether you have hemorrhoids. You may actually feel an external hemorrhoid when cleaning yourself: it will be a tender swelling around the anal opening. You won’t usually feel internal hemorrhoids, but they can bulge through the anal opening. | #Determine whether you have hemorrhoids. You may actually feel an external hemorrhoid when cleaning yourself: it will be a tender swelling around the anal opening. You won’t usually feel internal hemorrhoids, but they can bulge through the anal opening. | ||
| − | #Take warm baths. If you don’t want to take a full bath, you can take a Sitz bath,<ref name="rf1442" /> where you sit in a few inches of water. Add about 1 cup of Epsom salts to a full bathtub and 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salts for a few inches of water in the tub. Keep the water warm, but not too hot. Repeat 2-3 times a day. This may seem like a bit of a “chore”, but so are hemorrhoids! | + | #Take warm baths. If you don’t want to take a full bath, you can take a Sitz bath,<ref name="rf1442">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20029852</ref> where you sit in a few inches of water. Add about 1 cup of Epsom salts to a full bathtub and 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salts for a few inches of water in the tub. Keep the water warm, but not too hot. Repeat 2-3 times a day. This may seem like a bit of a “chore”, but so are hemorrhoids! |
#Apply a warm compress. Get a clean, cotton wash towel and soak it in warm (not hot) water. Apply the compress directly to the hemorrhoids for about 10-15 minutes. Repeat 4-5 times a day. This should offer some soothing comfort. | #Apply a warm compress. Get a clean, cotton wash towel and soak it in warm (not hot) water. Apply the compress directly to the hemorrhoids for about 10-15 minutes. Repeat 4-5 times a day. This should offer some soothing comfort. | ||
| − | #Shrink the hemorrhoids with an astringent. You can use a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel after a bowel movement. Witch hazel acts as an astringent and may help reduce swelling. Repeat as often as needed--at least 4-5 times a day.<ref name="rf839" /> | + | #Shrink the hemorrhoids with an astringent. You can use a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel after a bowel movement. Witch hazel acts as an astringent and may help reduce swelling. Repeat as often as needed--at least 4-5 times a day.<ref name="rf839">http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-227-witch%20hazel.aspx?activeingredientid=227&activeingredientname=witch%20hazel</ref> |
#Clean yourself thoroughly. After having a bowel movement, be sure that you clean yourself completely to avoid irritation. You might want to use baby wipes or a pre-moistened toilet paper product rather than dry toilet paper to clean yourself.<ref name="rf1442" /> | #Clean yourself thoroughly. After having a bowel movement, be sure that you clean yourself completely to avoid irritation. You might want to use baby wipes or a pre-moistened toilet paper product rather than dry toilet paper to clean yourself.<ref name="rf1442" /> | ||
#Apply an ice pack to your hemorrhoids.<ref name="rf1442" /> An ice pack may help reduce your hemorrhoidal swelling but it should not be left on for too long; limit the ice pack use to 5-10 minutes at most each time. | #Apply an ice pack to your hemorrhoids.<ref name="rf1442" /> An ice pack may help reduce your hemorrhoidal swelling but it should not be left on for too long; limit the ice pack use to 5-10 minutes at most each time. | ||
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#Put yourself on a regular schedule. See if you can arrange a regular time to have a bowel movement without interruptions around the same time every day. This tends to make bowel bleeding movements easier, and it turns out that having regular bowel movements is a great predictor of overall good health.<ref name="rf15578" /> | #Put yourself on a regular schedule. See if you can arrange a regular time to have a bowel movement without interruptions around the same time every day. This tends to make bowel bleeding movements easier, and it turns out that having regular bowel movements is a great predictor of overall good health.<ref name="rf15578" /> | ||
===Using Medical Intervention=== | ===Using Medical Intervention=== | ||
| − | #Try baby teething gel. It may sound a bit odd, but if the hemorrhoids are very painful and uncomfortable, use a tiny bit of baby teething gel on the area. The gel contains a local antiseptic that can decrease the pain and discomfort.<ref name="rf6319" /> | + | #Try baby teething gel. It may sound a bit odd, but if the hemorrhoids are very painful and uncomfortable, use a tiny bit of baby teething gel on the area. The gel contains a local antiseptic that can decrease the pain and discomfort.<ref name="rf6319">http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them</ref> |
#Try topical pain and itch-relieving gels or lotions.<ref name="rf1442" /> Gently clean your anal area with warm water and carefully pat dry. Then apply a small amount of aloe vera gel or an ointment such as Preparation H to help with hemorrhoidal pain and/or discomfort. Apply as often as needed. | #Try topical pain and itch-relieving gels or lotions.<ref name="rf1442" /> Gently clean your anal area with warm water and carefully pat dry. Then apply a small amount of aloe vera gel or an ointment such as Preparation H to help with hemorrhoidal pain and/or discomfort. Apply as often as needed. | ||
#*Hemorrhoid relief ointments such as Preparation H usually contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil and phenylephrine, which acts as a decongestant and helps shrink the hemorrhoid. | #*Hemorrhoid relief ointments such as Preparation H usually contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil and phenylephrine, which acts as a decongestant and helps shrink the hemorrhoid. | ||
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#*Avoid steroid creams as they can damage the delicate tissue around a hemorrhoid. | #*Avoid steroid creams as they can damage the delicate tissue around a hemorrhoid. | ||
#Take a pain reliever. If you have persistent discomfort, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.<ref name="rf1442" /> These can help you feel more comfortable and may aid in swelling reduction as well. As always, check with your care provider to ensure that it is safe to take a medication that you do not normally take. | #Take a pain reliever. If you have persistent discomfort, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.<ref name="rf1442" /> These can help you feel more comfortable and may aid in swelling reduction as well. As always, check with your care provider to ensure that it is safe to take a medication that you do not normally take. | ||
| − | #Seek medical intervention for persistent hemorrhoids. Most hemorrhoids resolve using natural methods within 3-7 days.<ref name="rf15581">http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/hemorrhoids-when-to-call-a-doctor</ref> If they don’t improve, or if they worsen, call your physician. Occasionally for external hemorrhoids and more often for internal hemorrhoids, you may still need some medical intervention. The most common approaches if the described methods don’t help enough are:<ref name="rf1450" /> | + | #Seek medical intervention for persistent hemorrhoids. Most hemorrhoids resolve using natural methods within 3-7 days.<ref name="rf15581">http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/hemorrhoids-when-to-call-a-doctor</ref> If they don’t improve, or if they worsen, call your physician. Occasionally for external hemorrhoids and more often for internal hemorrhoids, you may still need some medical intervention. The most common approaches if the described methods don’t help enough are:<ref name="rf1450">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/basics/treatment/con-20029852</ref> |
#*Ligation: Tying a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow | #*Ligation: Tying a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow | ||
#*Injection of a chemical solution designed to shrink the hemorrhoid | #*Injection of a chemical solution designed to shrink the hemorrhoid | ||
