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Hemorrhoids: When to See Your Doctor By: Sue Bristol, R.N. There are a number of steps you can take at home to relieve the symptoms of your hemorrhoids. However, it is always important to remember that there are certain conditions under which you should see a physician. If you have symptoms of hemorrhoids, especially pain and bleeding, don't make an assumption that you have hemorrhoids. This is easy to do because of the vast number of people who do in fact have hemorrhoids. However, there are other, very serious, conditions that can cause pain and especially bleeding, that require medical intervention. Most OTC (over-the-counter) products carry a label that warns you against use of the product for more than seven days without seeing a doctor. This is because you should be able to notice some relief from OTC creams, ointments, and suppositories within a week. (In fact, you will see vast improvement within 48 hours if you use the correct method). If you still do not see improvement, you need to see the doctor for two reasons. First, you may be in need of more aggressive treatment which only the physician can perform (such as cauterization of a constantly bleeding hemorrhoid). Secondly, if the symptoms show no response at all to the OTC products, you may be dealing with something other than hemorrhoids. Cancer of the colon is a common disease which is very treatable. Effective treatment, however, is dependent upon early diagnosis. Look at it this way...if in fact your symptoms are due to cancer along the gastrointestinal tract, they are not going to go away and you will eventually have to see the doctor anyway. Therefore, why not see the doctor early which will greatly maximize the likelihood of life-saving treatment. Delay can be deadly. Another indication that it's time to see the doctor is prolapse. This is a condition in which an internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed, or protruded, from the anal canal and cannot be gently reinserted. It is important to have the physician check you because left untended, the prolapse could become strangulated (means just what it sounds like it means...choked) and lose its blood supply which in tern leads to serious complications, like gangrene! Most cases of prolapsed hemorrhoids are not in danger of strangulation. However, the fact that it may occur is reason enough to see your doctor. Once the MD has confirmed that you have hemorrhoids and they have prolapsed, he will show you how to gently reinsert the hemorrhoid back inside the rectum. You won't have to see him every time thereafter...you just need a proper and certain diagnosis. After that, you can probably manage your hemorrhoids on your own. If you have a sudden onset of pain, excessive bleeding, or if the individual is a child under 12, it is imperative to see the doctor. Though jokes are often made about "piles", they are no laughing matter and need to be taken seriously. You have nothing to lose. Let the doc check you first and then you can safely proceed with home care. That's it for today!
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HemorrhoidCure101.com
Sue Bristol, R.N.
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