Hemorrhoids-When To Call a Doctor
Common symptoms of hemorrhoids may be a sign of other serious health problems. Colon or rectal cancer and other conditions have many of the same symptoms as hemorrhoids. Call your doctor if you have symptoms like these:
If you have hemorrhoids, call your doctor if:
Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids
Need relief for painful, itchinghemorrhoids? Better yet, how would you like to prevent flare-ups in the first place?About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus. They can be internal or external.External hemorrhoids more commonly cause symptoms of pain and itching when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids generally are painless but can cause bleeding. "They can cause bright red rectal bleeding, but if you have bleeding, don't assume it's...
Read the Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids article > >
If rectal bleeding becomes heavy or changes color (such as from bright red to dark red), or if stools change size, shape, or color (from brown to maroon or black), be sure to see your doctor.
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. And in most cases, bleeding caused by hemorrhoids should stop after 2 to 3 days. Continue home treatment to prevent bleeding from starting again. Call your doctor if bleeding:
If you are older than age 50 or have a family history of colon cancer, it is a good idea to tell your doctor any time you have new rectal bleeding, notice blood on your stools, have changes in bowel habits, or have anal pain. These symptoms may be signs of colon cancer or other conditions. Your doctor may recommend screening tests to see if you have a more serious problem. See Exams and Tests.
The following professionals can evaluate and treat hemorrhoids:
If medical treatment or surgery is needed, you may be referred to a:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
- Stools are black or tarry.
- A lump or bulge that is not tender and does not go away develops at the anal opening.
If you have hemorrhoids, call your doctor if:
Recommended Related to Digestive Disorders
Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids
Need relief for painful, itchinghemorrhoids? Better yet, how would you like to prevent flare-ups in the first place?About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus. They can be internal or external.External hemorrhoids more commonly cause symptoms of pain and itching when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids generally are painless but can cause bleeding. "They can cause bright red rectal bleeding, but if you have bleeding, don't assume it's...
Read the Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids article > >
- Moderate rectal pain lasts longer than 1 week after home treatment.
- Pain or swelling is severe.
- Tissue from inside the body bulges from the anus and does not return to normal after 3 to 7 days of home treatment.
- A lump inside the anus becomes bigger or more painful.
If rectal bleeding becomes heavy or changes color (such as from bright red to dark red), or if stools change size, shape, or color (from brown to maroon or black), be sure to see your doctor.
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. And in most cases, bleeding caused by hemorrhoids should stop after 2 to 3 days. Continue home treatment to prevent bleeding from starting again. Call your doctor if bleeding:
- Occurs for more than 1 week without improvement.
- Starts again.
- Occurs when there is no reason to expect it.
If you are older than age 50 or have a family history of colon cancer, it is a good idea to tell your doctor any time you have new rectal bleeding, notice blood on your stools, have changes in bowel habits, or have anal pain. These symptoms may be signs of colon cancer or other conditions. Your doctor may recommend screening tests to see if you have a more serious problem. See Exams and Tests.
Who to see
The following professionals can evaluate and treat hemorrhoids:
- Family medicine doctor
- Internist
- Nurse practitioner
- Physician assistant
- Obstetrician
- Gastroenterologist
- Gynecologist
- General surgeon
If medical treatment or surgery is needed, you may be referred to a:
- Gastroenterologist.
- General or colorectal surgeon.
- Doctor who specializes in problems affecting the rectum and anus (proctologist).
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.