You have gone through all the steps leading up to this point. You’ve decided for yourself that your problem is probably bleeding hemorrhoids and you’ve performed treatments in order to help with the irritation and possible pain. But after a certain point, you may become unsure if your own diagnosis was correct. Without concrete medical training and only so much information to guide you, there is only so much you can do in order to help yourself. By now you may have called the doctor and might be wondering what to expect once you walk into the office. Keep on reading to get a general idea on what you might experience.
One of the main reasons a health professional may examine the affected area is not to actually diagnose a bleeding hemorrhoid problem, but instead to make sure the problem is not caused by something more serious. There are actually many different conditions that can cause the same symptoms as hemorrhoids. When dealing with issues such as bleeding, mucus excretion, itching, pain, and general discomfort, depending upon their severity, the actual reason behind their presence may be very different.
To check whether or not your symptoms are that of bleeding hemorrhoids, a doctor will look at several bits of information. First he or she will ask about your general health history as well as examine your current health condition. For example, if you have had a lot of recent weight gain, that may be the cause behind the problem’s development. If certain conditions run in your family, those could also be a factor.
After the initial discussion, a physical exam will then take place. If things have progressed to the third or fourth-degree stage, it will be easy to see as the vessel will extend beyond the anal opening. To check for first or second-degree internal hemorrhoids, the doctor will perform a digital rectal exam to figure out their condition and evaluate its severity. The doctor will insert a well-lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any abnormalities. Sometimes he or she will press down on the lower abdomen to get a more definite feel of the area in order to double check for any other possible issues.
Your doctor may also decide to perform an anoscopy. Using a small, tube-shaped instrument with a lighted end, the doctor can get a visual picture of what is going on within your body.
After discovering the reason behind your symptoms, you and your doctor can discuss different treatment options. These may range from simple, over-the-counter medications to various nonsurgical procedures. If the problem is more serious, surgery may be required. If the cause turns out to be completely different, your doctor will let you know what your new options are and the best way to counteract the problem.