Sitz Baths Are Helpful For Hemorrhoid Treatment
Often, physicians will recommend hot water sitz baths along with creams or other medications for the treatment of hemorrhoids. While these kinds of baths are not necessarily a cure, they are a time tested, holistic method of relieving many of the symptoms of both internal and external hemorrhoids as well as various other conditions of the rectal and vaginal areas.
If your doctor has recommended taking sitz baths at home for hemorrhoids, more often than not, the water temperature suggested is hot rather than cold. Of course, the water should not be too hot as to burn the skin. Your healthcare provider may have also suggested adding salt or baking soda to the bath to aid in the healing process. For other conditions, some doctors suggest herbal mixtures with can be created at home or purchased prepackaged from drug stores and health food stores.
If you’re considering adding ingredients not prescribed by your doctor, you should take a moment and check with him or her as some ingredients may aggravate rather than alleviate some symptoms.
These kinds of baths are not full bathtubs of water. Instead the water need only be filled a few inches, or enough to cover the affected area. Because the normal treatments are 10-15 minutes of soaking at least three and up to seven times per day, many patients purchase an inexpensive, portable plastic sitz bath tub that rests on top of the open toilet. This allows for less water usage, less time filling and easy clean up. It also is safer for elderly patients who may have trouble stepping up out of a bathtub several times daily. Keep in mind also that hot water soaking can cause lightheadedness and dizziness. This is temporary but getting up too quickly from a bathtub after a sitz bath can be dangerous and elderly patients may need assistance.
If you have not been diagnosed with hemorrhoids and are experiencing rectal bleeding, please check with your doctor before treating yourself at home with sitz baths. Unless you are sure that the bleeding is directly related to internal or external hemorrhoids, it’s important that other more serious conditions are ruled out by your physician.
