Three Rules (Plus One) to Live By

One

Never use soap to cleanse the anal area. Use only warm water, preferably while standing in the shower. (If you are serious about getting rid of your hemorrhoids, forget about bathing in a tub. If you don't have a shower, get one.)

Two

Never use toilet paper. Use a warm wet washcloth instead. If even a warm wet washcloth is too painful, hop in the shower and gently cleanse the area with warm water from the shower. (Hint: Take your clothes off first.) A bidet works in this situation also.

Three

Eat a bowl of oatmeal or other high-fiber cereal every day. It provides fiber to soften the stool. Some people don't like oatmeal, but here's a suggestion: Don't cook the stuff to mush! Boil some water (1.5 cup), throw in the oats (old fashioned, 1 cup), stir, cook 1 minute and turn off the fire. Let the oatmeal stand for a minute or two, pour into a bowl and add lots of sugar and milk. If you're in a hurry, try cold quick oats in a bowl with milk and lots of sugar. (Limit consumption of uncooked oats to 1 or 2 servings a week. Oats uncooked tend to plug the colon.) For variety, throw in some raisins or use soy milk in place of cow's milk.

Plus One

This rule (it's a bathing technique, actually), plus the rules above, will help you acheive a hemorrhoid-free state or will kill a flare-up in its tracks. Flare-ups will occur occasionally, from sitting for a long time or swinging an axe or sledge hammer all day, or more commonly, from forgetting the above rules!

The Technique: Stand in the shower with your rear facing the shower head. Direct the shower flow with your hands directly to the anal area. Run the water as hot as you can stand for as long as you can stand - try for 1 minute. Repeat for each shower you take until relief is obtained. It's delightfully refreshing and you'll be amazed at the result.

OK, Here's Another

It's a lifestyle change: Get off your rear. Sitting aggravates hemorrhoids, so it makes sense to stay on your feet as much as possible throughout your day.