- 1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day
- 2. Eat a high fiber diet
- 3. Do sitz baths
- 4. Avoid using toilet paper
- 5. Apply cold compresses
- 6. Apply witch hazel ointments
- 7. Be careful when sitting
Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the final region of the intestine, which usually inflame causing pain and discomfort, especially when evacuating and sitting.
Most hemorrhoids usually disappear with homemade measures such as sitz baths, however, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, for example, may also be needed to help relieve pain and inflammation.
In this way, 7 homemade tips for dealing with hemorrhoids and helping to 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 the pain caused by hemorrhoids. This is because, when it is well hydrated, the body has greater capacity to heal and the feces are also not very hard, causing no irritation when they pass through hemorrhoids.
To ensure adequate hydration, you should drink at least 1.5 liters of water per 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 people who have hemorrhoids, as they help make stools softer, since they are the fibers that can hold water.
Thus, in addition to helping to decrease pain during a hemorrhoid crisis, fibers also help to prevent the appearance of new hemorrhoids, as they fight constipation. Some of the most fiber-rich foods include oats, plums, flaxseed or beans, for example.
Check out a more complete list of fiber foods.
3. Do sitz baths
Seat 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 make the sitz bath, put a few centimeters of warm water, around 37º C, in a basin and then sit inside, so that the hemorrhoids are completely submerged in the water.
Also see what plants you can add to the sitz bath to ensure faster recovery.
4. Avoid using toilet paper
Although toilet paper is a very practical and simple way to clean your butt after using the bathroom, it has a very uneven surface and, therefore, can cause irritation of hemorrhoids, making the pain worse.
Thus, the ideal is to clean with wet wipes or, then, wash the anus region in the bath after defecating, avoiding using soap.
5. Apply cold compresses
The heat of the 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 a few compresses soak in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes, avoiding use ice directly on the skin.
See how to prepare cold compresses correctly.
6. Apply witch hazel ointments
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 a homemade witch hazel ointment.
7. Be careful when sitting
Simple day-to-day habits, such as sitting, can cause a lot of pain when you have hemorrhoids, as the increased pressure in the anus region decreases blood circulation to the site. So, to sit more comfortably, you can use a special cushion for hemorrhoids with a hole in the center, for example.
