Sitz Bath - hydrotherapy
Sitz bath is a bath in
which a person merely sits in the water covered up to the hips. It is purposed to
relieve discomfort and pain in the lower part of the body by increasing the
blood flow to it while keeping the affected area clean. Normally, it is used by
patients experiencing pain due to hemorrhoids (piles), inflammatory bowel
disease, infections of the bladder, prostate or vagina. Also, it is indicated
for patients with anal fissures, uterine cramps, rectal surgery, and perineal
pain from episotomy and childbirth, vaginal and vulvar surgeries. [1], [2]
Materials
·
bathtub / basin
/ plastic sitz bath
·
cool / warm /
hot water
·
clean towel
·
salt, baking
soda, vinegar (optional)
Warm water: used for relieving
the itching, pain and discomfort associated with conditions like hemorrhoids
and genital problems. [3], [4]
Cool water (should not
be colder than 20oC or 68oF): used for easing
constipation, inflammation and vaginal discharges or toning the muscles in
cases of fecal or urinary incontinence. [4]
Methods
[5], [6], [7]
1)
Firstly, place
the sitz bath or basin inside your bathtub and fill it with warm water
(temperature should be around 37oC or 100oF).
Alternatively, you can put your sitz bath on top of your toilet seat. Water
should be filled up to about 3 or 4 inches (just deep enough to cover your
buttocks and hips)
2)
Then, sit in the
sitz bath with your legs out of water. Your part of body that should be
immersed in the water is lower abdomen, buttocks, and upper thighs.
3)
Stay in the sitz
bath for about 20-30 minutes. An optional step would be filling another sitz
bath or basin with cool water where you alternate between hot and cold water
(spending 5 minutes in warm water and 1 minute for cold water). Alternate
between hot and cold bath up to 3-5 times. A towel soaked in cold water can be
used in place of a cold bath.
4)
After getting
out from your sitz bath, gently pat to dry the affected area with a clean
towel. It is noted that avoid rubbing the area dry. You may letting the area
air dry or using a hair dryer.
5)
Wash your sitz
bath properly after each use and dry it thoroughly.
6)
Repeat the
process once or twice daily and you may use it up to several times a week
depends on your condition.
There are some baths
with device installed to provide continuous stream of warm water going into
sitz bath to keep the water warm. For some being used in the hospital, they may
come with a solution bag and a tube which hanging from a hook like an IV pole
used. Furthermore, many sitz baths are designed with a vent to prevent
overfilling but instead, will empty into the toilet bowel when you sit in. [5],
[7]
Note: Salts can be added after doctor recommendation. It is indicated for vaginal or perineal discomforts especially for women after childbirth. The amount of salt added depends on the size of your sitz bath / basin. Besides, vinegar may be added to provide relief from vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis). [7]
Caution: You may feel dizzy when stand up after staying while in the sitz bath.
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| Images for sitz bath |
References:
1.
Parswa Ansari,
Norman Sohn. Hemorrhoids (Piles), October 2007. The Merck Manuals Online
Medical Library. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012.
2.
Boyden K,
Olendorf D, Jeryan C. "sitz bath", The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine,
Detroit, Mich. 2008. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012.
3.
David C.
Dugdale. Sitz bath. Medline Plus. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012. (HONcode certified)
4.
http://www.natural-health-restored.com/sitz-bath.html
Retrieved 3 Jun 2012.
5.
Barbara Bradley
Bolen. How to Take a Sitz Bath. About.com Guide. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012. http://ibs.about.com/od/treatmentofibs/ht/sitzbath.htm
(HONcode certified)
6.
Christopher
Jacoby. Sitz Bath Recipe. Health Guidance. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14749/1/Sitz-Bath-Recipe.html
7.
Theresa
Halvorsen. How to Take a Sitz Bath. Retrieved 3 Jun 2012. http://www.howtodothings.com/health-and-fitness/a4540-how-to-take-a-sitz-bath.html
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