What Kind Of Doctor Do You See About Hemorrhoids

When Should I Worry About My Hemorrhoids And See A Doctor

You should see a doctor when youre suffering from any of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding from the anus, reddish or tar-colored stools, or spots of blood on your toilet paper.
• Pain in your rectum or anus.
• Milder symptoms like itching that dont stop after a week.
• A feeling of being full in your rectum even after youve had a bowel movement.
• Leaking stool.
• Any tissue coming out of your anus .

While hemorrhoids are generally mild, you should see a doctor to at least rule out anything more serious.

When To See A Doctor For Hemorrhoids

How long do hemorrhoids last? The answer to this is variable. Treatment for small hemorrhoids may work within a few days, while larger hemorrhoids may last much longer. Most hemorrhoids can be managed at home but if the or bleeding is severe you are soiling yourself with stool the hemorrhoids keep returning or you are experiencing pain, bleeding and itching from the hemorrhoids after a week, consider seeing your doctor for assessment and treatment.

Although not common, if you experience , , or large amounts of bleeding from your rectum, this is an emergency and you should seek medical help immediately.

What Kind Of Doctor Should I See About My Hemorrhoids

If you’re having some of the characteristic symptoms of hemorrhoids – swelling, bleeding, or pain – you may want to visit your regular doctor first. Often, hemorrhoids are mild and can be treated with certain lifestyle changes. If your doctor sees indications of a more complicated case of hemorrhoids or a more serious condition, they may refer you to a specialist like a gastroenterologist or a colon and rectal surgeon.

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Prevention Of Rectal Prolapse

To prevent rectal prolapse, avoid straining during bowel movements.

• Drink plenty of water
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are high in fiber
• Exercise regularly
• Use laxatives but only as directed by your healthcare provider because of the potential risks of chronic use
• Consider bowel training, which involves having a bowel movement at the same time each day

How To Cure A Hemorrhoid

• – In order to cut off the supply of blood, elastic band is wrapped around the base of the hemorrhoid. After a couple of days, the hemorrhoids will die and will fall off. Other patients may experience bleeding and pain after the treatment. It does not treat the cause of hemorrhoids so they usually reappear.
• Infrared coagulation – It is done by burning a tissue to cease blood flowing to the hemorrhoid. 5 to 6 sessions are needed. Even though it is shown in the ads as pain-free, most people do complain about unbearable pain during the process. It does not address the actual cause, so the hemorrhoids may reappear after some time.
• Hemorrhoidectomy – It is a surgery that cuts off hemorrhoids. Statistics reveal that this type of procedure can be dangerous. So severe cases are only suitable for this surgery. A lot of patients have complaints because of the very painful process of recovery, that is why it must be considered as a last resort.

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Who Removes Hemorrhoids Treatment

Treating enlarged hemorrhoids is important, because they tend to get worse over time. Hemorrhoids are treated with a variety of measures including diet, over-the-counter medicine like

• anti-inflammatory pain killers,

and various treatment options are available, like

• sclerotherapy,
• surgery.

Who Removes Hemorrhoids?

Most hemorrhoid complaints begin with a trip to a family doctor. Your doctor will then refer you to a specialist: either a gastroenterologist or a proctologist . Proctologists specialize in surgical treatments, while gastroenterologists are experts in digestive diseases.

Signs Your Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

You may, understandably, not like to talk about it, but hemorrhoids are pretty common. They affect about 10 million adults in the United States annually. Its estimated, in fact, that as many as three in four adults will experience problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Take a walk down the pharmacy aisle at your local grocery store and youll likely find plenty of treatments that promise to help. But what do you do when home remedies dont work? Is there a medical treatment that will help heal your hemorrhoids and resolve your pain?

Yes, says Dr. Betsy Clemens. And the good news? Effective hemorrhoid treatment doesnt always mean surgery. In fact, most of the time it does not.

Dr. Clemens leads our team here at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Shes a specialist who is well known for her medical expertise as well as her passion for making her patients feel comfortable when addressing this sometimes embarrassing condition.

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A Noticeable Bulge At The Anus That Seems To Retract Following A Bowel Movement

Internal hemorrhoids can prolapse or fall outside of the anal opening during a bowel movement. Initially, the tissue may retract on its own or be easily pushed back inside. But prolapse can worsen over time and can eventually cause significant irritation, itching, bleeding, and pain as this internal tissue becomes trapped outside of the anus. Early treatment helps prevent the prolapse from worsening.

Signs And Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

Seeing blood in your toilet bowl after a bowel movement is no doubt alarming, but its one of the main symptoms of hemorrhoids. Other symptoms include:

• Bright red blood on toilet paper or in your stool after a bowel movement
• Itching in the anal area
• Pain in the anal area, especially when sitting
• Pain during bowel movements
• One or more hard, painful lumps around the anus

If you experience any of these hemorrhoid symptoms, avoid excess straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus, which can make irritation and itching worse, and can even lead to bleeding. In addition, try to pat the area dry instead of wiping it.

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When Should You Go To The Doctor For Hemorrhoids

Again, before assuming that your condition is hemorrhoids, its a good idea to see your doctor for an examination. After all, its difficult to take a look for yourself. If there is any bleeding, severe pain or fecal incontinence , you should definitely see the doctor. A large amount of bleeding or the sudden onset of severe pain means you should seek medical treatment immediately.

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Avoid Making Hemorrhoids Worse

• Blot the anus gently with white toilet paper moistened with water or a cleansing agent after bowel movements. Baby wipes or other pre-moistened towels are also useful for this purpose.
• Avoid rubbing the anal area. You can rinse off in the shower or on a bidet instead of wiping yourself with toilet paper. After cleansing, gently pat the anal area dry with a soft, absorbent towel or cloth.
• Use soaps that contain no perfumes or dyes.

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Whom Do Hemorrhoids Affect

Although most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, almost everyone has them. Hemorrhoids help control bowel movements. Hemorrhoids cause problems and can be considered abnormal or a disease only when the hemorrhoidal clumps of vessels enlarge.

Hemorrhoids occur in almost everyone, and an estimated 75% of people will experience enlarged hemorrhoids at some point. However only about 4% will go to a doctor because of hemorrhoid problems. Hemorrhoids that cause problems are found equally in men and women, and their prevalence peaks between 45 and 65 years of age.

How Hemorrhoids Are Diagnosed By Your Doctor

See your doctor if you think you might have hemorrhoids, especially if you notice bleeding from your anus or rectum, or have bloody stools. Your doctor will want to rule out more serious problems that can cause bleeding from the anus or rectum, such as cancer.

Hemorrhoid symptoms may also be similar to those of other anal and rectal problems, including anal fissures, abscesses, warts, and polyps.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and will ask you to describe your symptoms. Questions about your eating habits, toilet habits, and enema and laxative use are likely to come up.

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam to look for lumps or swelling, prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, skin irritation, skin tags, and anal fissures, which are small tears in the anus that can result in itching and bleeding. This will involve a visual examination of the area.

Your doctor may also perform a rectal exam to diagnose internal hemorrhoids, check the muscle tone of your anus, and check for blood in the stool. This is done with a gloved, lubricated finger and a tool called an anoscope.

An anoscope is a type of endoscope a hollow, lighted tube that is inserted a few inches into the anus to help the doctor see any problems inside the lining of the rectum. This procedure is performed in the doctors office and doesnt require anesthesia.

Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to rule out other causes of bleeding, especially if you are over age 40.

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What Is The Best Doctor For Hemorrhoid Surgery

There are many reasons you may see a doctor for your hemorrhoids. But, some cases may require you seek treatment from a doctor who specializes in the treatment of conditions that affect the rectum or anus.

While a proctologist is commonly known as the specialist to handle these types of conditions, it is actually a gastroenterologist that treats hemorrhoids.

Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat conditions that affect the digestive tract. This can include the:

• Stomach

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Bowel changes

Some gastroenterologists perform surgery under anesthesia. In more severe cases, your GI doctor may refer you to a proctologist, or colorectal surgeon.

Most patients who see a colorectal surgeon must see a GI doctor first for a referral.

Hemorrhoid Home Remedies: Warm Sitz Bath

A sitz bath refers to sitting in a few inches of warm water three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes. A sitz bath may help decrease the inflammation of hemorrhoids. Drying off the anal area completely after each sitz bath is important for minimizing moisture that irritates the skin surrounding your rectal area.

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Bleeding During Bowel Movements

There are many underlying causes of rectal bleeding, including hemorrhoids. Blood associated with internal hemorrhoids is typically bright red, causes no pain, occurs with bowel movements, and may be mild to moderate in amount.

You cant assume, however, that your symptoms are due to hemorrhoids. If youve never been diagnosed with hemorrhoids or have noted a change in the characteristics of the bleeding youve associated with hemorrhoids, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

What Kind Of Doctor Do I Need To See For My Hemorrhoids

A number of medical practitioners and doctors are all experienced and qualified to manage your hemorrhoids.

You may speak to the following types of medical professionals or doctors for hemorrhoids:

• General Practicioner
• General Surgeon
• Gynecologist

For Pregnant mothers who are prone to experiencing hemorrhoids in their third trimester, a Gynecologist may be the best person to visit considering these hemorrhoids are most likely present due to the increased pressure of pregnancy on the rectal and anal muscles.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy can be very difficult to deal with. If you are pregnant with hemorrhoids, worry not, our hemorrhoids during pregnancy guide will help you manage your hemorrhoids in the best possible way.

Depending on the treatment, surgery may or may not be required.

A Colorectal surgeon or Proctologist may be required in severe cases that require operating on your hemorrhoids.

Most of these procedures can be performed in the doctors office to help shrink or remove the hemorrhoids.

Laser hemorrhoid surgery is also an option for your hemorrhoids, and you will want to make sure you choose an experienced hemorrhoid doctor when opting for laser hemorrhoid surgery.

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When Do Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

Your hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with anyone, even your doctor. But hemorrhoids are common and affect 5% of adults in the United States every year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Its estimated, in fact, that as many as three in four adults will experience problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Though you can find many treatments for hemorrhoids at your local pharmacy, home remedies dont help everyone. At Rivas Digestive Center, located in Hollywood, Florida, our expert gastroenterologist, Dr. John Rivas, wants you to know when its time to get medical help for your hemorrhoids.

Relieve Pain And Itching

• Take non-prescription pain relievers. Acetaminophen can help with pain. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help with pain and swelling.
• Apply ice several times a day for 10 minutes at a time. Follow this by placing a warm compress on the anal area for another 10 to 20 minutes.
• Take a sitz bath. Fill your bathtub with just enough warm water to cover the anal area. Do this several times a day, especially after you have had a bowel movement. Soak for about 15 minutes at a time. Be careful! If the water is too warm, it can burn you.

Use non-prescription medicines as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. See the Medications section of this topic for information on non-prescription ointments, creams, and suppositories.

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When Do You See A Doctor When Pregnant

The first prenatal appointment usually takes place in the second month, between week 6 and week 8 of pregnancy. Be sure to call as soon as you suspect you re pregnant and have taken a pregnancy test. Some practitioners will be able to fit you in right away, but others may have waits of several weeks .

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Do Hemorrhoids Go Away On Their Own

Find a physician near you.

• Permanent Options

Hemorrhoids are a chronic disease, meaning the symptoms persist for a long time and are constantly recurring. If you have experienced recurring bouts of hemorrhoids, your hemorrhoids likely wont go away on their own. Left untreated, hemorrhoids often get worse over time and therefore harder to treat. This means that a hemorrhoid that could easily be treated today could eventually require surgery.

If youre unsure if you have hemorrhoids, consult with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and see if you should have a colon cancer screening, or a colonoscopy. Typically, adults over the age of 50 should undergo colonoscopy at least every 10 years, or more frequently if your family has a history of GI issues.

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What Treatment Methods Are Used By Hemorrhoid Specialists

A visual examination by a primary care doctor is often enough to diagnose a simple case of hemorrhoids, which can then be treated by using:

• corticosteroid cream, which can help to reduce swelling and pain
• hemorrhoid cream containing lidocaine, which helps to reduce pain
• stool softeners designed to minimise straining and constipation

Other useful home treatments include:

• applying witch hazel with a cotton swab
• wearing cotton underwear
• avoiding perfumed and coloured toilet tissue
• avoiding scratching the area
• using a warm-water Sitz bath to relieve the symptoms

In more complex cases, these treatments may not be enough to cure the problem. Where surgery is a recommended option, it will usually involve one of these procedures:

Signs And Symptoms Of Rectal Prolapse

Rectal prolapse may be uncomfortable, but its not usually painful.

Symptoms of rectal prolapse may include:

• Bright red tissue sticking out of the anus
• An uncomfortable sensation like something is falling out, or like youre sitting on a ball
• Trouble beginning a bowel movement
• Feeling like you cant completely empty your bowels
• Fecal incontinence

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