When to See a Doctor for Hemorrhoids: Symptoms and Specialists

When to See a Doctor for Hemorrhoids

Dealing with the discomfort of hemorrhoids, also called piles, is sometimes best managed with over-the-counter treatments and home remedies. But in more serious cases that don't resolve or won't stop bleeding, seeing a doctor for hemorrhoid care is wise.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms Doctors Can Help Manage

Some key signs that hemorrhoids are advanced enough to possibly require a doctor's input include:

• Ongoing rectal bleeding for more than 1-2 weeks
• Severe or progressively worsening pain and swelling
• Persistence longer than 4-7 days after trying home treatment
• Anal fissures or thrombosed hemorrhoids develop
• Significant impact on daily life like difficulty working or using the toilet

The right hemorrhoid doctor has effective solutions for all these issues that provide fast symptom relief and long term healing.

Over-the-Counter Hemorrhoid Options

Start by trying over-the-counter topical ointments, pads, suppositories or natural solutions like witch hazel, teas, and gently chilled aloe vera gel pads. Drink extra fluids, add more fiber to your diet, stay active to prevent straining, and take warm baths for temporary comforting relief.

Give these methods up to a week to see if hemorrhoids naturally start improving and allow any small tears or inflammation causing bleeding/discomfort to heal on their own.

Seeking Professional Hemorrhoid Care

If you have no relief within about a week - or hemorrhoids continue worsening - it's in your best interest to have a doctor accurately evaluate your specific case. An experienced pro guides you to the right treatment plan for long term resolution.

Why Delaying Hemorrhoid Care Damages Health

Putting off seeing a hemorrhoid specialist allows inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort to continue deteriorating. Prolonged strain, pressure, and poorly supported blood vessels become increasingly damaged.

As hemorrhoids grow through stages I to IV, their prolapse worsens and risks of additional complications rise significantly. Advanced issues like strangulated hemorrhoids cutting off blood supply become emergencies requiring surgery.

Risks of Advancing Internal and External Hemorrhoids

Potential consequences of leaving hemorrhoids unchecked include:

• Increased difficulty with hygiene/infection risk
• Higher chance of developing painful blood clots inside hemorrhoids
• Greater likelihood of incontinence issues
• Hemorrhoid prolapse getting worse with bowel movements
• Require more invasive treatment methods
• Anemia from prolonged bleeding

Catching hemorrhoid problems early and promptly beginning appropriate care limits risks of additional health issues arising.

Hemorrhoids Won't Resolve Without Treatment Adjustments

The blood vessels around your anus are under constant strain during elimination. Once they balloon out and swell into hemorrhoids, the distended vessels and connective tissues don't shrink back down on their own.

Only with expert guidance tailored to your specific hemorrhoid situation can you get them fully repaired, restored, and supported properly to finally heal.

Types of Hemorrhoid Doctors and Specialists

Where precisely you should turn for competent hemorrhoid diagnosis and treatment depends on your particular case. Options include your family doctor, a gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon, or dedicated proctologist.

Your Family Doctor

In early stage I or II cases with minor bleeding/discomfort, your regular general practitioner may be able to accurately assess and provide initial treatment recommendations like over-the-counter remedies, diet tweaks, soaks, and activity guidance.

If home care doesn't resolve hemorrhoids within about a week or you have more significant bleeding, further specialist referral is warranted.

Gastroenterologists

For stage I-III internal hemorrhoids not responding to conservative care or those causing persistent GI issues like difficulty going, intense pain, or bleeding, seeing a gastroenterologist (digestive specialist) is advisable.

They have specialized training in using minimally invasive in-office treatments like banding and can provide prescription medications as needed.

Colorectal Surgeons

If you have prolapsed stage III-IV hemorrhoids, multiple recurrent clots, severe fissure/fistula troubles, or strangulated hemorrhoids with compromised blood supply, a colorectal surgeon may advise surgery.

Types of procedures done include hemorrhoidectomy, Doppler-guided ligation, stapled hemorrhoidopexy, and Longo stapled transanal hemorrhoid excision which removes enlarged tissues.

Proctologists

Also referred to colloquially as "butt doctors", a proctologist specializes specifically in all disorders of the rectum and anus. They focus exclusively on unique challenges like hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, and other problematic conditions.

Proctologists have advanced skill in accurately assessing hemorrhoid staging and preciously tailoring the right treatments to provide lasting relief.

When to Seek Emergency Hemorrhoid Care

Many unpleasant hemorrhoid symptoms can become manageable with proper at-home treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and avoiding activities causing more aggravation or strain. However prompt emergency care is essential if:

• Excessive rectal bleeding soaks multiple pads/hour
• You develop severely painful thrombosed hemorrhoids
• Hemorrhoid pain is persistent and unmanageable
• Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids become strangulated and purple tinted
• Intense dizziness, weakness, confusion, chest pain, or shortness of breath accompany bleeding

Seeking immediate emergency room help for these scenarios prevents life-threatening harm and permanent damage requiring extensive reconstructive surgery.

When to Call Your Doctor About Hemorrhoid Issues

Additionally, promptly contact your family doctor, specialist, or a hemorrhoid care clinic if you experience:

• Bleeding longer than 10-14 days without slowing
• Difficulty controlling bowel movements
• Increasing pain or swelling
• Hemorrhoids enlarging severely
• Persisting symptoms despite diligent home treatment

Quickly addressing these concerns before they worsen prevents complications and requires less invasive solutions with faster healing.

First Hemorrhoid Doctor Visit Expectations

Wondering what to expect when you seek in-office hemorrhoid treatments? Typical first visits involve:

Medical History Review

Be ready to provide details on:

• Symptom onset and progression
• Bowel movement characteristics
• Comorbid digestive conditions
• Diet, fitness level, medications used
• Previous treatments attempted

Giving complete data helps pinpoint the best solutions.

Visual Physical Exam

The doctor examines the anus visually and digitally (inserting a gloved, lubricated finger) to evaluate if internal hemorrhoids are present, determine precise location, assess overall tone of sphincters, check for additional complications like fissures/fistulas, gauge size of external hemorrhoids, look for signs of infection, etc.

Recommend Customized Treatment Plan

Based on exam findings and discussions of lifestyle factors, the doctor maps out a personalized care plan. This outlines specific over-the-counter aids to use plus the ideal office-based treatments for your case from options likes banding, infrared coagulation, sclerotherapy, cryosurgery, medication, supplements, possible surgery referrals if needed, etc.

Expect to leave your first visit feeling heard, supported, and empowered to finally resolve hemorrhoids!

Questions to Ask a Prospective Hemorrhoid Doctor

Choosing where to seek hemorrhoid care is an important decision. Ask any doctor you are considering key questions like:

How Often Do You Treat Hemorrhoid Cases?

Look for a high case volume showing extensive experience successfully resolving different severities and types of hemorrhoids.

What Treatment Options Do You Provide In-Office?

Seek availability of advanced fixes like banding and infrared light methods that studies show have excellent effectiveness minimizing recurrence.

Do You Perform Hemorrhoid Surgery Yourself?

For severe prolapsed or thrombosed hemorrhoids needing excision, choosing a surgeon experienced in appropriate procedures is vital.

What Follow-Up Care Do You Offer?

Comprehensive long term care guiding proper at-home maintenance lowers recurrence likelihood after treatments.

Identifying well-equipped, hemorrhoid-focused specialists ready to partner in your care journey brings peace of mind you're in the right hands.

Hemorrhoid Relief is Within Reach

If over-the-counter remedies and home treatments bring no improvement within about a week, don't continue suffering through painful, bleeding, itchy, uncomfortable hemorrhoids without help. Contact a doctor right away for experienced care.

The right hemorrhoid specialist for your specific case makes all the difference in minimizing frustration and embarrassment so you heal cleanly and quickly. With an expert's help, discomfort and bleeding soon fade so you feel like yourself again.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.