Why see a hemorrhoid doctor?

If you experience any bleeding, pain, itching, or discomfort around the anal region then it is quite possible that you have hemorrhoids. It can be tempting to self diagnose and start treating your symptoms without first consulting with a doctor but this definitely not advised and may present some serious health risks. There are several other colorectal conditions such as colon cancer, irritable bowel symptoms, fistulas, polyps, fissures, infections, Crohn’s disease, plus some other less common medical conditions that may present with symptoms very similar to those experienced by people with hemorrhoids.

What exams would a hemorrhoid doctor use to diagnose hemorrhoids?

Besides a visual exam, the two most commonly performed colon exams are:

Colonoscopy

The colonoscopy is the most comprehensive colon exam, using a long flexible tube with a fiber-optic video camera and a light, the gastroenterologist is able to get an excellent view of the colon. Colonoscopes also can perform additional functions such as removing polyps that may become cancerous. It can also be used for surgical procedures such as taking samples or passing surgical instruments like scalpels during procedures.

In order for the doctor to get the best possible view of the colon, usually a one day preparation is needed leading up to the procedure. The preparation process involves a liquid diet with a heavy laxative; expect a day spent within arm’s length of a bathroom. Most people who have had a colonoscopy say that the prep portion of the procedure is worse than the actual exam. The procedure is done while the patient is conscious but a mild sedative and/or pain reliever may be administered to make the patient more comfortable. The procedure usually takes less than an hour but your doctor may keep for a bit after the procedure to make sure there are no complications. Even with a mild sedative your doctor may advise you to arrange a ride home.

Sigmoidoscopy

This procedure is similar to the colonoscopy but only allows the hemorrhoid doctor to view the lower portion of the colon as the sigmoidoscope is just over 2 feet long while the entire colon is about 5- 6 feet long. This procedure takes about 10 – 20 minutes and also required a day of preparation leading up to the procedure.

What is a hemorrhoid doctor?

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that involves the study of the digestive system from where food and drink enter the body through the mouth to the where waste leaves the body through the anal canal. Doctors who enter the field of gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists. Typical training includes a 4 year Bachelor’s degree, followed by 4 years of medical school, 3 years residency in internal medicine and then training is finished up with a 2 -3 year fellowship in gastroenterology. So depending on the program, a gastroenterologist has about 13 years of training after high school.
If a doctor then chooses to become a specialist in a gastroenterology field such as GI radiology, gastric medicine, hepatology (the study of the liver, pancreas and biliary tree), or GI oncology (the study of cancer of the digestive system) then an addition 2- 3 years in the chosen specialty will be added on to the training period. The field of gastroenterology does not include surgery; gastroenterological surgery and proctology surgery are considered branches of general surgery.

Conclusion

Consulting with a hemorrhoid doctor is important to correctly diagnose your hemorrhoids while ruling out other problems. Although a lot of people balk at the thought of a colon exam, it’s an important part of the diagnosing process and not as bad as you might expect, there is a minimum of discomfort. A colon exam does present some minor health risks, but the risks of not getting examined are usually far greater so consult with a hemorrhoid doctor at the first sign of symptoms.