{{Short description|Bath in which a person sits in water up to the hips}} {{Infobox medical intervention | name = Sitz bath | synonym = | image =• p803 • Scammell's Cyclopedia 20220412 0002.tif | caption =From ''Scammell's Cyclopedia of Useful Receipts'' (1897) | alt =hip bath | pronounce = | specialty = rehabilitative medicine | synonyms = | ICD10 = | ICD9 = | ICD9unlinked = | CPT = | MeshID = | LOINC = | other_codes = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicine = }} A '''sitz bath''' or '''hip bath''' is a [[bathtub]] in which a person sits in water up to the [[hip]]s.<ref name=OED>{{OED|sitz bath}}</ref> It is used to relieve discomfort and pain in the lower part of the body, for example, due to [[hemorrhoid]]s (piles), [[anal fissure]]s, perianal fistulas, [[rectum|rectal]] surgery, an [[episiotomy]], [[Uterine contraction|uterine cramps]], [[inflammatory bowel disease]], [[pilonidal cyst]]s and infections of the [[bladder]], [[prostate]] or [[vagina]]. It works by keeping the affected area clean and increasing the flow of blood to it.
Such hip baths were originally a European custom,<ref name=Gale>{{citation|author=Karen Boyden|author2=Donna Olendorf|author3=Christine Jeryan|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}}.</ref> 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'').<ref name=OED/>
==Preparation== 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 {{convert|3|to|4|in|cm}} of hot water (about {{convert|110|F|C}}), and sat in for 15–20 minutes or until the water cools down.<ref name=Gale/> Alternatively, a large basin can be used, and there are specially built devices that fit into toilet bowls.<ref>{{citation|author=Parswa Ansari|author2=Norman Sohn|title=Hemorrhoids (Piles)|url=http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec09/ch130/ch130g.html#sec09-ch130-ch130b-766 |publisher=The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, [[Merck & Co.]] |date=October 2007 |accessdate=17 February 2011}}.</ref>
Cool sitz baths are said to be helpful in easing [[constipation]], [[inflammation]] and [[vaginal discharge]], and, in cases of [[fecal incontinence|fecal]] or [[urinary incontinence]], in toning the muscles.<ref>{{citation |author=James Taylor |title=How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids |url=http://stemprogramme.com/how-to-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids-fast-how-to-treat-piles-at-home-naturally-permanently/ |date=October 2014}}</ref>
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').<ref>{{citation|author1=Thomas D. Luke|author2=Norman Hay Forbes |title=Natural Therapy: A Manual of Physiotherapeutics and Climatology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X4ngBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA41 |publisher=[[Elsevier]] |year=1913 |isbn= 9781483194097 |accessdate=30 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Gale/>
For most purposes sitz baths with water are sufficient, though some people prefer to use [[saline water]] or water mixed with [[baking soda]]. The use of such additives helps to reduce infections. People with [[candidiasis]] (a vaginal yeast infection) may benefit from a warm bath with salt and vinegar.<ref name=Gale />
[[Electronic bidet]]s which irrigate the anal region with a flow of warm water have been compared with sitz baths, and found to produce very similar reduction in anal pressure, with no change in temperature, if used with low-pressure warm water.<ref name=RyooOh2015>{{cite journal|last1=Ryoo|first1=S.-B.|last2=Oh|first2=H.-K.|last3=Han|first3=E. C.|last4=Song|first4=Y. S.|last5=Seo|first5=M. S.|last6=Choe|first6=E. K.|last7=Moon|first7=S. H.|last8=Park|first8=K. J.|title=Comparison between a new electronic bidet and conventional sitz baths: a manometric evaluation of the anal resting pressure in normal healthy volunteers|journal=Techniques in Coloproctology|volume=19|issue=9|year=2015|pages=535–540|issn=1123-6337|doi=10.1007/s10151-015-1350-1 |pmid=26223798 }}</ref><ref name=RyooSong2011/> Some electronic bidets have a dedicated "sitz" function.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hyundaibidet.com/en_550r.htm |title=HYUNDAI BIDET|website=Hyundaibidet.com |accessdate= 15 December 2018}} A typical electronic bidet with a "sitz" function.</ref>
==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.<ref name=RyooSong2011>{{cite journal|last1=Ryoo|first1=Seungbum|last2=Song|first2=Yoon Suk|last3=Seo|first3=Mi Sun|last4=Oh|first4=Heung-Kwon|last5=Choe|first5=Eun Kyung|last6=Park|first6=Kyu Joo|title=Effect of Electronic Toilet System (Bidet) on Anorectal Pressure in Normal Healthy Volunteers: Influence of Different Types of Water Stream and Temperature|journal=Journal of Korean Medical Science|volume=26|issue=1|year=2011|pages=71–77|issn=1011-8934|doi=10.3346/jkms.2011.26.1.71|pmid=21218033 |doi-access=free|pmc=3012853}}</ref>
==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]]s (rapid or abnormal heartbeat).<ref name=Gale/> People prone to such occurrences are advised to have someone standing by to assist them.
==References== {{Reflist|30em}} *{{citation|last1=Boyden|first1=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}}. [[Category:Aquatic therapy]] [[Category:Bathing]]