If you suffer from hemorrhoids, increasing the fiber in your diet can be an important step toward getting relief. As you probably know, fruits, vegetables, grains, and cereals are high in fiber. The typical American diet, however, contains less than one-half the amount of fiber needed to keep hemorrhoids at bay. You can increase your intake of fiber with fiber supplements like psyllium, methylcellulose, and calcium polycarbophil.
Many people get relief from hemorrhoids with ointments, creams, gels, pads, foams, and suppositories. When using creams, gels, or ointments around the anus, apply them in a thin covering. You can apply them to the anal canal using a finger or a device called a pile pipe. The best pile pipes have holes along the sides in addition to holes at the ends. It's important to lubricate a pile pipe with ointment before you put it in the anal canal.
Local anesthetics can provide relief by numbing the nerve endings around the anus. But some people are allergic to them; if itching gets worse instead of better after you apply a topical anesthetic, stop using it. Examples of local anesthetics that you can buy over the counter or from online suppliers include benzocaine, benzyl alcohol, and lidocaine. Like anesthetics, analgesics depress pain receptors; menthol, camphor, and juniper tar may help with hemorrhoid symptoms.
A protectant forms a physical barrier on the skin that keeps stool and liquids from contacting irritated skin. Common protectants used to relieve the pain of hemorrhoids include mineral oil, lanolin, glycerin, cocoa butter, zinc oxide, and cod liver oil.
Astringents promote dryness of the skin, a key factor in relieving burning, itching, and pain. Calamine, zinc oxide, and witch hazel are well-known astringents.
Vasoconstrictors make blood vessels constrict, get smaller, which can reduce swelling. They also have a mild anesthetic effect that can reduce pain and itching. Oral vasoconstrictors can cause hypertension, tremors, and sleeplessness. However, applied locally to the anal area they are unlikely to have such serious side effects.
By using suppositories it is possible to deliver painkillers more directly to painful areas in the anal canal. Suppositories with antibiotics or antiseptics will help kill bacteria and reduce infection. While suppositories work for some people as a hemorrhoid treatment, some medical providers question the benefit of suppositories over other topical treatments.
Sitz baths can relief irritation and inflammation. Many people with hemorrhoid get great relief from sitting in two to three inches of plain warm water three times a day for 20 minutes each time. Others prefer to add Epsom salts or aromatherapy essential oils to the water.
While there are many self-care treatments for hemorrhoids that are generally known to be helpful, everyone is different. Certain treatments may work for other people but not for you. There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hemorrhoid treatments. If you have hemorrhoids, learn about them, then try different methods for getting relief. If the symptoms don't go away, seek medical help.
To learn more about subjects like hemorrhoids please visit the web site at: http://www.hemorrhoidshemroids.com
For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Health Products | Health Vitamins | Dieting directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/health-products-health-vitamins-dieting. Also visit our Shopping Directory Marketplace for more related sites.
About the Author
Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Wed Dec 16 2009) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com
