There’s nothing more uncomfortable and embarrassing than having what is more commonly known as piles. While most worry that something’s wrong with them, statistics show that by the age of 50, around half of the population in the United States have experienced, one way or another, this condition. Before anything else, we should understand the normal physiological functions of our body, more specifically the rectum and anus, and the changes that occur to it when the pathologic hemorrhoids take place.
The rectum is lined by a network of blood vessels and connective tissue known as hemorrhoids. During strenuous activities, such as straining during defecation, diarrhea, constipation and pregnancy, the pressure and friction against these vascular organs increases, thus making them inflamed and, in some cases, protrude out of the anus into the outside of the body where it comes into contact with the environment. There are a lot of treatment regimens for haemorrhoid, like medications, herbal therapy, surgery and the sitz bath. This article will focus on how a sitz bath can treat hemorrhoids.
A sitz bath is an evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment for hemorrhoids and anal fissures. To help you visualize it better, you can picture a basin of warm water lodged on the toilet seat. You will be sitting on the toilet seat like usual but with only the sensation of warm water on your buttocks. This will serve as a warm bath for the buttocks.
The warm sitz bath is not only a refreshing treatment for any discomfort or pain felt in the anal area but is also a highly effective treatment for most anal conditions. The warm bath will stimulate blood flow on the blood vessels lining the rectum and anus, and thus promote healing and circulation. It also relaxes the muscles on the buttocks, lessening the symptoms felt by the person with haemorrhoids. Sitz baths are also used post-op for faster wound healing, just without the direct contact of the water to the buttocks.
Another important function of sitz bath is for cleaning and infection control. This is most useful for operative wound healing around the genital and anal areas and in case of infections such as candidiasis in women. Sitz bath can also aid in toning the muscles of the genitals and anus in cases of urinary and/or fecal incontinence.
Understanding how a sitz bath can treat hemorrhoids is another thing than actually doing the deed.
Here’s how you set up your own sitz bath at home.
You can either use a bathtub, basin or you purchase a toilet sitz bath in your local drugstore or medical supply store. Since you will be spending several minutes sitting on the bath, it is important that you also include some activities to help kill time while waiting. Fill the tub with warm water and other medications as indicated by the physician. Sit on the tub for 15-20 minutes once or twice daily over a period of days to see the desired effect.
Now that you know how a sitz bath can treat hemorrhoids and how to make a sitz bath, you can rest assure that your condition will improve over time.
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