Practical advises for hemorrhoidal relief.
- Do not sit for hours at a time, but if you must, take breaks regularly: Once every hour, get up and move around for at least five minutes. A doughnut-shaped cushion can make sitting more comfortable and ease hemorrhoid pressure and pain.
- Place petroleum jelly just inside the anus to make bowel movements less painful.
- Apply witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), a soothing anti-inflammatory agent, on irritated hemorrhoids to reduce pain and itching.
- Do not scratch hemorrhoids, as it makes everything worse: The inflamed veins become more irritated, the skin around them becomes damaged, and the itching itself intensifies. Instead, to help stop the itching, apply an over-the-counter 0.5 percent hydro-cortisone cream to the skin (not inside the anus-on the outside only) and a cold pack.
- As a pain reliever, try acetaminophen. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, which foster bleeding.
- Bathe frequently to keep the anal area clean, but be gentle: Excessive scrubbing, especially with soap, can intensify burning and irritation.
- Don't sit on the toilet for more than five minutes at a time, and when wiping, be gentle. If toilet paper is irritating, try dampening it first, or use cotton balls or alcohol-free baby wipes.
- When performing any task that requires exertion, be sure to breathe evenly. It's common to hold your breath during exertion, and if you do, you're straining, and contributing to hemorrhoid pain and bleeding.
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