Sitz bath, its use in piles and other conditions

Sitz bath (Hip bath) is a plastic or ceramic tub that has to be kept over the toilet and is to be filled with water. Pelvic region gets a lot of relief when one sits in warm water.

How sitz bath works?

Sitz bath increases blood supply to the pelvic and lower abdominal areas.
This decreases inflammation and reduces pain.
While having Sitz baths, one can use hot or cold water only or can alternate heat and cold water.

Who needs and gets benefited by sitz bath?

. Hot Sitz baths are useful in-

. Patients after surgery in pelvic area

. Hemorrhoids (piles) patients

. Anal fistulae

. Lady after having a baby - episiotomy healing

. Pain during menstrual cycle

. Cold Sitz bath is useful in following cases

. Pelvic inflammation

. Constipation,

. Impotence

. Vaginal discharge

How to use sitz bath?

Place the sitz bath over the toilet. See that it fits well and fill the sitz bath with warm water. Then sit with pelvic region immersed in it. Sit in the sitz bath for 15-20 minutes.

How to use a Cold Sitz bath?

Stay in ice cold water for 30 – 60 seconds. Don’t stay for a longer duration as its not going to give additional benefit. Longer cold exposure may be harmful.

Structure of a sitz bath

Some sitz baths have a control vent to avoid overfilling. The water overflowing will be avoided and water will empty into the toilet bowel. Do not overfill sitz bath, if it does not have a control vent.

Add salt to the water, if doctor has suggested it.

Cleaning and drying sitz bath after each use is very essential.
Have sitz bath many times a day as needed till you feel comfortable. Use a towel to gently dry the affected area of body when bath is over.

Varieties of sitz bath available?

1. Sitz bath with a chair.

2. Sitz bath manufactured to fit over a toilet.

Alternating hot and cold baths

Use 2 basins -1 with hot and other with cold water. Use hot water bath for 5 minutes and then cold water bath for half to one minute. A sitz bath is available at many medical drug stores.

Read -

Piles

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