What are Hemorrhoids

Rectal bleeding is not normal you know that and it is completely understandable that you may be reticent in consulting a doctor, however, It is essential that you have an accurate diagnosis. This may seem extremely daunting and something you don’t feel you can do but it is extremely important. Bowel cancers have been delayed in their diagnosis due to the shyness of people who do not wish to be examined.

Hemorrhoids are a condition which needs diagnosing accurately – you should NOT attempt to self diagnoses this condition as you could be wrong and other anal conditions such as those below  need to be excluded:

• Anal warts
• Anal fissures
• Cancer of the bowel
• Rectal polyps
• Inflammatory disease

Doctors do this all the time – and we all know that, but it is your bottom and you don’t want it messed with they understand that -BUT – they do this all the time and your bottom is really not different from many others. They are very discrete and understand your embarrassment and are gentle. You need to be examined to eliminate other conditions and it is better by far to have hemorrhoids rather  than cancer.

In conjunction with your rectal bleeding you will need to inform you doctor if you have

• Recently lost weight without dieting
• Changed your bowel habits recently i.e you now have constipation or diarrhoea or have your bowels open more frequently.
• Noticed a colour change in your stools or if there is mucous/slime on the toilet paper
• Noticed what colour and how much blood you are loosing each time you have a bowel movement