If you have the symptoms of hemorrhoids, it's always best
to see your doctor to confirm that you have it. Your doctor
would be able to rule out other diseases and medical conditions
that have similar symptoms, and are often mistaken for hemorrhoids.
Don't be embarrassed about visiting your doctor - remember
that almost half of all Americans get hemorrhoids by their
fifties.
Your family doctor or general practitioner is the right place
to start. If necessary, he or she would be able to refer you
to medical specialists, such as:
To ensure a proper diagnosis, be sure to describe your symptoms
in details. For example:
Pain
Because the anus and its surrounding area contains many
nerve endings, it is very susceptible to pain. Painful flare-ups
of external hemorrhoids are usually the reason people seek
medical attention. Pain can also be caused by prolapsed
internal hemorrhoids that are trapped outside of the anal
opening.
However, not all hemorrhoids are painful - because the
rectum do not have pain nerves, it cannot "signal"
pain. Instead, a "transferred" pain in the lower
back, bladder, sciatic nerve, or sex organ are sometimes
felt.
Conversely, not all pains are caused by hemorrhoids - sharp
pain during a bowel movement can also be caused by an anal
fissure or tear in the anal canal. Tenderness and aching
around the anus can be caused by bacterial infections in
abscesses and fistulas, whereas tenderness in the anal canal
can be a sign of syphilis or irritation from foreign objects.
So, when you talk to your doctor about anal pain, remember
to describe:
- The type of pain (sharp, dull, aching ...)
- The location of the pain
- When you first noticed the pain
- When the pain occurs (all the time or only during bowel
movement)
Bleeding
Because bleeding can be an indication of more serious conditions
such as ulcer and colorectal cancer, you should consult
your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any amount
of rectal bleeding or blood on your stool.
The color of the blood can indicate the location of the
bleeding: bright red blood usually comes from the anal canal,
whereas dark blood usually come from the colon.
When you're telling your doctor about bleeding, remember
to describe:
- The color of the blood (dark or bright red)
- The amount of bleeding
- The presence of mucus or pus
- The presence of blood mixed in the stool, in the toilet
bowl, on toilet paper, or even on the underwear
- Whether the bleeding occurs before, during, or after
defecation
Mucus or pus
Pus is a watery or bloody discharge caused by bowel inflammation
or from an abscess, fistula, cancer, inflammatory bowel
diseases, parasite infection, or sexually transmitted diseases.
It is usually not associated with hemorrhoids.
If you have pus or mucus discharge, remember to tell your
doctors about:
- The type of the mucus discharge (bloody or watery)
- The presence of pus in your stool
- Whether you have diarrhea that contains mucus
- The point of origin of the discharge (just outside of
the anal canal, etc.)
- The presence of pain, tenderness, or aching during the
discharge
Change in bowel habit
Changes in your bowel habit, such as chronic or alternating
constipation and diarrhea, are usually caused by emotional
stress, trauma, tension and changes in diet. Because of
this, they are usually temporary - normal bowel function
often returns when the stress disappears and things get
back to normal. However, it can also be due to tumor and
other gastrointestinal diseases.
When talking to your doctor about change in bowel habit,
remember to describe:
- Whether you have chronic constipation or diarrhea, or
alternating ones
- Whether bowel movement results only in passing gas and
not stool
- Whether you have urges to defecate that fail to result
in passing of stool
- The frequency of bowel movement, and whether it is more
or less frequent than usual
Change in stool shape and
characteristics
A healthy stool is usually well-formed and yellow or brown
in color. A change in stool color or shape can be a symptom
of cancer or other diseases. For example, a black tar-like
stool maybe an indication of intestinal bleeding or cancer,
whereas a pale stool maybe an indication of gallstones or
even hepatitis.
When describing the change in stool characteristics to
your doctor, remember to include details about:
- The shape of the stool - whether it has narrowed into
pencil-like shape
- The presence of black, tar-like stool
- The presence of blood or mucus in the stool
- The presence of fatigue or cramps
- When you first noticed the change
Swelling
Although swelling is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, it
can also indicate an infection.
When talking to your doctor about swelling, remember to
describe:
- The presence of pain, bleeding, or discharge with the
swelling
- Whether the swelling is constant or increases day by
day
- Whether the severity of the swelling fluctuates with
bowel movement
Itching
Chronic itching (also called pruritus ani) can be caused
by many conditions, including hemorrhoids, allergies to
certain food or antibiotics, dry skin, skin diseases, stress,
and even diabetes.
When talking to your doctor, remember to describe:
- When you notice the itching started
- Whether the itching is constantly present or comes and
goes
- Whether the itching occurs after eating certain food
- Whether you are taking prescribed antibiotics
- Whether the itching is worse at night
- The presence of emotional stress, tension, or trauma
Bulges and protrusions
Bulges from the anal canal is usually due to prolapsed
internal hemorrhoids. A hard bulge outside of the anal opening
may be a blood clot of an external hemorrhoids.
Other types of bulges, however, can be caused by polyps,
cancer, or even a prolapsed wall of the anal canal.
Remember to tell your doctor:
- The first time you noticed the bulge
- The location of the bulge
- The presence of bleeding, pain, and discharge
- Whether the size of the bulge change from day to day
