Alleviating The Discomfort of Hemorrhoids With A Sitz Bath

By Gary Nugent

One painful medical problem that’s sure to embarrass many people is hemorrhoids. If you happen to suffer from this condition and the discomfort that accompanies it, you should know that there are natural ways to relieve your symptoms. Many times, hemorrhoids are a transient problem, lasting one or two weeks. Other times, the condition is more persistent. So here’s a simple and effective solution to relieve your distress.

A Sitz Bath Helps Relieve Discomfort

A Sitz Bath Insert For A Toilet

Taking a Sitz Bath several times a day can relieve hemorrhoid discomfort. With this type of bath, only the buttocks and hips are immersed in water. This can be done in a regular bathtub or it may be more convenient to use a specially made sitz bath that attaches to the toilet. These are easily found online a the likes of Amazon (for those who like privacy) or from local medical suppliers and pharmacies.

If you are dealing with the discomfort of hemorrhoids, there may be relief available to you. Take a sitz bath a few times daily, for about ten minutes each time. This is a way to cleanse just the rectum and buttocks without the necessity of an entire shower several times a day. A carefully applied ice pack or cold compress helps as well.

A good recipe uses witch hazel. Add one cup of witch hazel to a bathtub filled with warm water and sit in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this process three or more times a day. Witch hazel is an astringent which, after a few days, will help reduce the swelling and provide relief for your symptoms.
Another remedy which has been known to provide almost immediate relief, is to pour half a cup of apple cider vinegar into a sitz bath and soak in that.
Another way to create a sitz bath is to by using warm water and Epsom salts. This can be done easily by adding a half cup of plain Epsom salts into a warm, shallow bath. Remain seated in the warm bath for as long as time allows, and repeat the process throughout the day, if possible.
An effective tip for hemorrhoid relief is to include healing essential oils in your sitz bath. Make sure that the water is no hotter than your hemorrhoids can tolerate. Then add a few drops of juniper and lavender oils. Soaking in this mixture can reduce swelling noticeably and consequently ease pain.
A sitz bath mixture can also be purchased at any medical supply store if you don;t want to use ingredients you find at home.
You can have your bath in your regular bathtub; however, a sitz bath basin is more effective. The basin fits in the toilet and comes with a bag that enables fresh water to run over the area. Some people choose to add baking soda or special oils to the bath.
When taking a sitz bath in a bathtub, doctors recommend sitting in about six to twelve inches of water with your knees raised. Doing this can improve circulation in the hemorrhoid, which will reduce the swelling and also the pain.

Sitz Bath Final Thoughts

Hemorrhoids, also known as “piles” are inflamed, swollen veins located in the rectum or around the anal opening. Their positioning makes many people reluctant to talk to a physician and seek treatment. Embarrassment outweighs potential relief or cure.

No one wants to suffer with hemorrhoids but putting the tips above (and elsewhere on this site) into action makes living with them a lot easier. Following these tips, you can both treat and prevent hemorrhoids. While your body can eventually cure hemorrhoids, extreme cases may need proactive action and healing time can be radically reduced with proper care and treatment.