Using Sitz Bath Techniques

Do you suffer from hemorrhoids, and are in a constant search for relief? If so, you will find that one of the best and easiest ways to find relief is also one of the most relaxing. Before you learn about the sitz bath techniques that can help you combat some of the most uncomfortable aspects of living with hemorrhoids, it helps to understand how hemorrhoids develops. Hemorrhoids are a very common condition that afflicts an estimated one-third of all Americans. Hemorrhoids may strike at any age, but they are more common in middle age. In fact, it appears that older men are most vulnerable to developing hemorrhoids than just about anyone else. The statistics for this age group, in fact, are quite grim: it is estimated that approximately fifty-percent of men over 50 have or will develop some kind of hemorrhoid symptoms.

What exactly are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are essentially large, swollen blood vessels located in the sensitive rectal area. These swollen veins are usually clumped together, creating a mass of overlaying tissue and mucous membrane. Most people suffer from external hemorrhoids, which usually develop at the rim of the anus. Some individuals may suffer from internal hemorrhoids at first, which then gradually develop into external hemorrhoids. Others simply suffer from internal hemorrhoids, which are not as painful, and thus harder for the patient to detect. One of the most common indicators of hemorrhoids is bright red bleeding located on the surface of the stool. Bleeding may also be evident in the toilet bowel or on the toilet tissue.

One of the easiest ways to gain relief if you are suffering from the symptoms of hemorrhoids is to enjoy a sitz bath. What is a sitz bath? Also known as hydrotherapy (or sometimes even known as a "hip bath") sitz baths are recommended for mild cases of hemorrhoids. The sitz bath is essentially a warm bath that involves immersion of the pelvic area in the water. A sitz bath should be warm, but not too hot. Appropriate temperatures for a sitz bath range from 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37.7 to 40.5 degrees Celsius.

A sitz bath can be remarkably effective for uncomplicated cases of hemorrhoids where relief is sought from common symptoms such as pain, burning, inflammation, and itching. Sitz baths have long been lauded for easing all kinds of rectal or vaginal pain. If you are interested in preparing a sitz bath of your own, you can purchase many accessories that make the process of preparing an authentic sitz bath a cinch. You can use an inflatable sitz bath, for instance, that will connect to your toilet bowel or sink, and provide a perfectly regulated sitz bath system. The system should provide you with a clean, reliable continuous source of warm water. If you find yourself suffering from mild symptoms of hemorrhoids, you'll find that a sitz bath can allow you to cleanse in a gentle, soothing environment that will not exacerbate your hemorrhoids, but rather help soothe the irritation and inflammation that accompanies them.