A sitz bath or hip bath is a bath in which a person sits in water up to the
hip
In vertebrate anatomy, hip (or "coxa"Latin ''coxa'' was used by Celsus in the sense "hip", but by Pliny the Elder in the sense "hip bone" (Diab, p 77) in medical terminology) refers to either an anatomical region or a joint.
The hip region is ...
s.
It is used to relieve discomfort and pain in the lower part of the body, for example, due to
hemorrhoid
Hemorrhoids (or haemorrhoids), also known as piles, are vascular structures in the anal canal. In their normal state, they are cushions that help with stool control. They become a disease when swollen or inflamed; the unqualified term ''hemo ...
s (piles),
anal fissure
An anal fissure is a break or tear in the skin of the anal canal. Anal fissures may be noticed by bright red anal bleeding on toilet paper and undergarments, or sometimes in the toilet. If acute they are painful after defecation, but with chronic ...
s, perianal fistulas,
rectal surgery, an
episiotomy
Episiotomy, also known as perineotomy, is a surgical incision of the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall generally done by a midwife or obstetrician. Episiotomy is usually performed during second stage of labor to quickly enlarge the opening ...
,
uterine cramps,
inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammation, inflammatory conditions of the colon (anatomy), colon and small intestine, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis being the principal types. Crohn's disease affects the small intestine a ...
,
pilonidal cysts and infections of the
bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters ...
,
prostate or
vagina
In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
. It works by keeping the affected area clean and increasing the flow of blood to it.
Such hip baths were originally a European custom,
[.] although modern sitz baths are used mainly for therapeutic purposes. The term ''sitz bath'' is derived from the German word ''Sitzbad'', meaning a bath (''Bad'') in which one sits (''sitzen'').
[
]
Preparation
A sitz bath may be created simply by filling a bathtub with some water and sitting in it for a few minutes. Alternatively, a large basin can be used. There are also special devices that fit into toilet bowls. Sitz baths may either be warm or cool, or alternating between the two. Substances such as salt, baking soda, or vinegar may be added to the water.
Warm baths are recommended for reducing the itching, pain and discomfort associated with conditions such as hemorrhoids and genital problems. An ordinary bathtub can be filled with of hot water (about ), and sat in for 15–20 minutes or until the water cools down.[ Alternatively, a large basin can be used, and there are specially built devices that fit into toilet bowls.
Cool sitz baths are said to be helpful in easing ]constipation
Constipation is a bowel dysfunction that makes bowel movements infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is often hard and dry. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one has not completely passed the bowel movement ...
, inflammation
Inflammation (from la, wikt:en:inflammatio#Latin, inflammatio) is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or Irritation, irritants, and is a protective response involving im ...
and vaginal discharge, and, in cases of fecal
Feces ( or faeces), known colloquially and in slang as poo and poop, are the solid or semi-solid remains of food that was not digested in the small intestine, and has been broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. Feces contain a relati ...
or urinary incontinence, in toning the muscles.
Several variations of the procedure can be used, with different therapeutic effects depending on the temperature of the water, the length of time spent immersed and the method of immersion (such as dipping and 'hot and cold alternate'). Some people find that alternating three to five times between a hot bath for 3–4 minutes and an ice-cold bath for 30–60 seconds is soothing. A towel soaked in cold water can be used in place of a cold bath.[
For most purposes sitz baths with water are sufficient, though some people prefer to use ]saline water
Saline water (more commonly known as salt water) is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved salts (mainly sodium chloride). On the United States Geological Survey (USGS) salinity scale, saline water is saltier than brackish water, ...
or water mixed with baking soda. The use of such additives helps to reduce infections. Women with candidiasis (a vaginal yeast infection) may benefit from a warm bath with salt and vinegar.[ Some electronic bidets have a dedicated "sitz" function.][ A typical electronic bidet with a "sitz" function.]
Benefits
A warm sitz bath could be helpful to relieve congestion and edema by aiding venous return from the perianal area. Its major effect is thought to be due to the reductions of spasms by relaxing the anal sphincter pressure, reducing anal pain. It has benefits for patients with elevated anal pressure due to anorectal diseases such as anal fissure or inflamed hemorrhoids, and after surgical operations involving the anus.
Risks
Sitz baths are considered very low risk. Because hot baths cause blood vessels to dilate, on rare occasions some people can feel dizzy or have palpitation
Palpitations are perceived abnormalities of the heartbeat characterized by awareness of cardiac muscle contractions in the chest, which is further characterized by the hard, fast and/or irregular beatings of the heart.
Symptoms include a rapi ...
s (rapid or abnormal heartbeat).[ People prone to such occurrences are advised to have someone standing by to assist them.
]
References
*{{citation, last=Boyden, first=Karen, last2=Olendorf, first2=Donna, last3=Jeryan, first3=Christine, contribution=sitz bath, contribution-url=http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sitz+bath, title=The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (reproduced on TheFreeDictionary.com), location=Detroit, Mich., publisher=Gale Research Co., year=2008, accessdate=17 February 2011.
Aquatic therapy
Bathing