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Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in your rectum that itch, bleed, and generally make sitting down feel like you’ve angered a minor deity. They’re usually caused by straining during bowel movements, which means the solution isn’t complicated. Stop doing the things that cause them, help your body heal, and don’t make it worse. Here’s what actually works.
1. Don’t Strain
This is the big one. Straining pushes blood into those vessels and swells them up. If you’re sitting there forcing it, stop. Just stop.
Drink a cup of prune juice if you’re constipated. It’s been doing this job for decades and it works. Keep some in your pantry. And when you feel the urge to go, go. Don’t hold it in because you’re busy or the timing’s inconvenient. Your body’s telling you something.
2. Be Hygienic
Leftover bits make everything itch worse, and scratching hemorrhoids is a terrible idea (especially if there’s blood in your stool or the toilet bowl).
Wipe gently with warm water or baby wipes instead of dry toilet paper. Baby wipes go in the trash, not down the toilet.
3. Sitz Bath
Fill a tub with 3-4 inches of warm water and sit in it for 10-15 minutes. That’s it. The warmth reduces swelling and eases pain. Do this 2-3 times a day.
Sitz baths have basically no downside. They also help if you end up needing surgery later (hemorrhoidectomy or rectal surgery), but those are last resorts.
4. Get Into and Maintain a Proper Diet
Hemorrhoids thrive on constipation, and constipation thrives on garbage diets. Fiber fixes both.
Eat fruit, vegetables, and oatmeal daily. Drink 8 cups of water. You can still eat meat, just keep it to a small portion at dinner. Your bowel movements should be regular and easy. If they’re not, add more fiber.
Wear cotton underwear. Anything that rubs or irritates the area makes things worse. And if over-the-counter creams aren’t cutting it after a week, see a doctor. They can prescribe stronger ointments or tell you if you need something more.