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Sunday, April 14, 2013

How Hemorrhoids are Diagnosed


Hemorrhoids do not usually require any complicated tests or diagnostic procedures. 
The diagnosis of hemorrhoids is normally from a fairly straight-forward examination of your medical history and a physical examination of the anal region. 
Your doctor must find and then evaluate the size and location of the hemorrhoids to decide on the suitable treatment plan according to the severity of the hemorrhoid. 
External hemorrhoids are visible on the outside of the anal canal,around the anus. 
Internal hemorrhoids are present within the anal canal but are not visible from outside the body. 
If many of your family members suffer from hemorrhoids, you could be more likely than the average person to develop them yourself. 



Diagnostic Examination 


Often, hemorrhoids do not require any detailed diagnostic tests. 
Your doctor could first examine the anus and rectum for indications of swollen vessels. 
Your doctor will also probably perform a digital rectal examination with a gloved and lubricated finger to check for any abnormalities that might indicate hemorrhoidal growth.


The Anoscope 


Doctors use an Anoscope for closer evaluation of the rectum. This is a hollow, lighted tube used for viewing the internal hemorrhoids.The anoscope is placed in your anus so that the doctor can view the inside of the anus and rectum thoroughly. 
The process may be uncomfortable for you, but there is no need for any sedatives. Normally, doctors perform an anoscopy in their office which relieves you of the necessity and expense of going to a hospital. 


The Proctoscope


If your doctor wants a clearer examination,they could do a proctoscope examination. This instrument gives them the opportunity for a complete examination of the entire rectum. 
If you suffer from significant bleeding and have had severe blood loss, doctors would advise a complete blood count. 
This can also help your doctor assess whether or not you are anemic. 
If you have severe bleeding and other significant hemorrhoidal symptoms, the doctors could make more detailed diagnostic tests, involving sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. These procedures involve the use of
instruments called the Sigmoidoscope and Colonoscope
They are flexible instruments with a light at the end of a long tube. They help doctors to look into the lower part of the colon or the entire colon. 
Doctors first conduct a complete sigmoidoscopic examination of the lower part of the colon. 
Then, if they believe it is necessary, your doctor will make a colonoscopic examination of the entire colon. 
These procedures may help he doctor to diagnose the exact cause for your rectal bleeding. Rectal bleeding might be due to hemorrhoids or other causes like inflammatory intestinal diseases or colorectal cancer. 
In some cases, the doctor could advise a Barium enema to detect hemorrhoids. This can help them to check whether other diseases, like colon cancer, are causing your symptoms. 

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