Hemorrhoid Relief

It is easy to confuse anal fissures and hemorrhoids. Both problems are occasionally present at the same time. Both of these issues are commonly caused by chronic constipation and heavy straining when using the bathroom.

Constipation can be caused by many dietary and lifestyle factors. Drinking copious amounts of caffeine is the number one dietary cause.

The thing you should realize about caffeine is that it is a drug. Most people do not think of their morning pot of coffee as a drug but it is actually a stimulant that will affect the brain and circulatory system. Common symptoms of too much caffeine include insomnia, rapid heartbeat and nervousness.

It is not easy to quit the caffeine, especially for daily users. The first few days after quitting caffeine can result in terrible headaches. Psychologists and doctors generally advise slowing down instead of going cold turkey.

Do you drink coffee every morning? Instead of having your normal cup of Joe, you could try cutting the caffeine by mixing your regular coffee with decaf. A cup of half-and-half coffee will give you full taste and the same amount with half the caffeine.

Many people have no idea of how much caffeine they take in each day. Several drinks including energy, colas, diet drinks and other beverages can have large amounts. Surprisingly it is also included in many diet pills and headache remedies.

Reading labels and researching online can help you determine how much caffeine you are consuming. One great source of this type of information is the Mayo Clinic website.

Initially hemorrhoid and anal fissure treatments are the same. Fissures are nothing more than a simple crack in the skin. Either hemorrhoids or fissures can become infected from the bacterial that naturally occurs in your stool. Itching is a common symptom of infection.

Good cleansing habits are key in reducing the risk of infection after a bowel movement. Of course, you need to remember to be gentle, try a warm soft cloth instead of paper. Next, apply a thin layer of ointment or cream that contains natural antibacterials like tea tree oil, Neem or witch hazel.

Fissures and hemorrhoids both respond well to sitz baths. Setting up a sitz bath at home is fairly simple; all you need to do is sit in warm water. Many people add Epsom salts to the water for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

You should reserve surgical hemorrhoid treatments as a last resort. This is also true for correcting anal fissures. This area of the body is more prone to post-surgical infection, naturally. Torn stitches happen frequently as well causing intense pain.

The natural approach is the best when it comes to hemorrhoids or anal fissures. If you notice bleeding increasing or any symptoms of infection, you should call your doctor immediately.