The Five Worst Enemies of Your Hemorrhoids (Besides You)

Let's face it, hemorrhoids are hard to take sitting down or standing up. The truth is they're just plain awful ailments. But as much as you hate them, there is very little you can do about them short of surgery besides wait. There are, however, a few simple tricks up your sleeve or rather tools nature provides for you, which you can use to combat what's cursing your caboose.

1. WATER
The easiest way to cut down on straining and the pressures of dry bowel movements is to stay properly hydrated. That's common sense with or without hemorrhoids.

2. FIBER
The second-easiest way to soften your stool and ease the pain that comes with a bowel movement during a hemorrhoid outbreak is as equal in common sense as drinking enough fluids. Eat your grains, cereals, pulses, and vegetables to aid the healing process by making your natural actions a little easier to execute.

3. WITCH HAZEL
An astringent noted for its anti-hemorrhoid properties. Witch hazel is a topical agent that comes in liquid, ointment, and cream form. Pads soaked in witch hazel either premade or homemade make for great instant relief.

4. BIOFLAVINOIDS
Bioflavinoids are a plant compound that research indicates possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. That means great things for you and not so great things for your hemorrhoids. Bioflavinoids are especially recommended to pregnant women suffering from hemorrhoids as potential side effects are seemingly rare and harmless to fetal development.

5. WATER AGAIN (IN BATH FORM)
A nice warm bath is a great way to get some quick hemorrhoid relief. Sitz- style is popular for hemorrhoid sufferers in that it doesn't require much water or time, as the essence of the Sitz Bath is that the water only comes up to the hips. This makes maneuvering easier and decreases the likelihood of infection.

Don't waste your time with extravagant medical procedures unless your hemorrhoids are becoming a serious issue, and don't waste your money on unproven herbal remedies that only possess placebo power. Simple measures and medicines will do the best job in kicking hemorrhoids in the butt.