Alternative treatments

• Sitz bath set-up
  
  To treat the pain of hemorrhoids and speed up the healing process, one of the best treatments is apple cider vinegar. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the rectum several times a day. The vinegar will help stop the pain and help shrink the swelling of the anal tissue. While there are no medical studies to verify the use of apple cider vinegar with hemorrhoids, talk to a hemorrhoid sufferer who has tried it and they will confirm its healing benefits.
  
  Another alternative treatment that provides immediate relief to hemorrhoids is ice. Place ice in a Ziploc bag and hold it against the hemorrhoidal tissue for relief of inflammation, swelling and pain. Use the ice pack for 10 minutes, five times per day. If you need the ice to get on the inside of the anus, freeze ice in a small ice-pop mold and apply with pressure to the anus.
  
  A sitz bath is a very common remedy for hemorrhoid relief. With a sitz bath, you sit with the rectum submerged in plain warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can find a sitz bath kit at your local pharmacy. Do the procedure as often as you feel the need.
  
  

Prevention

• High fiber diets keep stools soft
  
  There are lifestyle remedies that you can take to help prevent the onset of hemorrhoids. Eating a high fiber diet and staying hydrated helps keep the stool soft so it can pass easily without the need to put pressure on the rectum. Pressure can also be relieved by avoiding prolonged standing or sitting on a daily basis. One way to encourage free movement of the bowels is to place a 6-inch footstool under your feet while you are on the toilet.