What To Do And What Not To Do For Hemorrhoid Relief At Home

Posted by Michael Griffin on March 24th, 2020

Hemorrhoids can be painful and uncomfortable, but in most cases, treatable at home without the help of a doctor. On searching for how to relieve hemorrhoid pain, you will find many OTC options like creams, wipes, medicines, etc. A healthy diet and exercise can also help with your recovery. But you also need to take some precautions to prevent the disease from flaring up.

What To Do For Hemorrhoid Relief At Home?

Use Ice Pack

Compressing the affected area with something cold numbs the nerves, which numbs the pain. The cold also reduces inflammation to some extent. You need to apply the cold compress to the affected area for no more than twenty minutes at a time, several times a day. Cover the compress with a cloth to prevent direct skin contact.

Apply Hemorrhoid Cream

When searching for good ways of how to relieve hemorrhoid pain at home, most people rely on OTC creams. Check the ingredients to make sure that they are natural and don't cause allergies in you.

Take Warm Bath

A warm bath can reduce pain and inflammation to some extent. You don’t have to take a full bath, just fill the tub with warm plain water until it reaches the affected area. You can also place a sitz tub on the toilet seat to save water. Take a bath twice a day or every time after passing stool.

Use Hemorrhoid Wipes

Hemorrhoid wipes are also a reliable way of how to relieve hemorrhoid pain. These wipes are soft and moist, which makes them better than dry toilet papers. You can also use them out of the toilet for flare-ups.

Eat Fiber-Rich Food & Yogurt

Fibers soften the stool and help the food move through the digestive tract. You should eat fiber-rich food like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You should also eat yogurt because it’s rich in probiotics that are healthy for the digestive system.

Stay Hydrated

Water also softens the stool, it also breaks the food down thus preventing constipation. So, stay hydrated.

Exercise

Exercise strengthens the gut muscles, which improves the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Rest

If you can't move around due to joint pain or other issues, then you should rest instead. Lie on your back instead of sitting to avoid straining the swollen veins.

What To Avoid For Hemorrhoid Relief At Home?

Sitting For Too Long

You should avoid sitting for a long time to avoid straining the swollen veins. If you have to sit for a long time due to a work from home project, then use a soft cushion for hemorrhoid relief at home. Some cushions come with ice pack inserts for extra relief.

Sitting On Toilet Seat For Too Long

If you sit on the toilet seat for more than fifteen minutes, then you may strain the piles and cause a flare-up. You should get up after ten minutes. You should also avoid using a phone or reading a book to keep track of time.

Straining During Bowel Movement

Straining during bowel movements is one of the main reasons behind piles because the strain causes the venous cushion lining the rectal region to swell. You should avoid straining when passing stool to prevent further inflammation.

Constipation-Causing Food

Constipation is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids and can worsen them. It's important to avoid food items likely to cause it, such as red meat, raw bananas, fast food, fried food, coffee, beer, etc.

Anal Sex

Anal sex is one of the main causes of piles and can worsen the condition if a penis or a sex toy irritates the swollen veins. It may even lead to bleeding. You should avoid anal sex until you are cured.

Having Painkillers

Painkillers should be your last resort to dealing with flare-ups if other methods are not available. They may give instant relief but come with various side effects like nausea, loose motion, etc.