Are you tired of the swelling, itching and pain that comes from external hemorrhoids? After years of suffering from mild to severe hemorrhoids and seeing numerous doctors, I've learned a lot about what truly works and what does not.
In this article I will outline 10 very easy ways to eliminate hemorrhoid pain that you can start doing before you finish this article! Before we begin it's important to understand what hemorrhoids are.
They are swollen or inflamed veins around the lower rectum and anus.
There are many causes of hemorrhoids including constipation, straining, medication, pregnancy and childbirth.
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common ailments in the country affecting about 75% of the population at any given time.
Although there are many forms of hemorrhoids (prolapsed, external, thrombosed, etc.
) my experience has mostly been with external hemorrhoids.
After the birth of my first child 4 years ago, I've had many flare ups (and a couple more kids).
The following tips are simple, mostly free or inexpensive, and great for eliminating pain, swelling and itching.
It is important to note that if you are experiencing any bleeding, bloody stools or severe pain, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
You may be experiencing a more serious condition or infection.
Tip 1 Start using flushable baby wipes (sensitive).
Pampers makes some really good ones that you can buy from any grocery store for about $3.
00.
If you can get the sensitive ones as they have fewer dyes and irritating chemicals.
This is a very gentle way to clean the area that is less abrasive than plain tissue.
Tucks and Preparation-H also make cleansing pads that may work for you but be careful.
These pads are medicated and should not be used for more than 7 days, unlike the flushable wipes.
Tip 2 Eat fresh or dried apricots.
Apricots are a natural stool softener, laxative and antioxidant.
One of the major causes of external hemorrhoids is constipation.
The more fresh and healthy foods that can help you go, the better! Tip 3 Do more squatting and less sitting on the toilet.
I must admit that this one can be very tricky if you have a high toilet like me, or if you don't have a squatting stool (you can buy them on the internet).
Squatting lengthens the colon so that when you go to express yourself in the bathroom, you create a more open space for waste to be eliminated from your body.
This creates less straining and will keep hemorrhoids from protruding.
Even if you don't have a squatting stool, I have found that getting in the squatting position before going to the bathroom is also effective.
Give it a try.
At the end of this article I will tell you how to pull up a picture of the squatting technique.
Tip 4 Eat cantaloupe and honeydew! Dehydration is the cause of constipation.
Constipation is one of the causes of hemorrhoids.
Cantaloupe and honeydew melon rehydrate the body, putting moisture back where it's needed the most.
They are both high in water content and easily digested.
Tip 5 Do yoga.
Even if you're not a yoga believer or if you've never practiced before, there are a few positions that make can reduce constipation and help your body remove waste more easily.
Other side effects of yoga are that it increases your balance and flexibility, improves your mental health, slows down the aging process and it helps relax your digestive bowel (which means less hemorrhoids).