How are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?
A thorough
evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or
blood in the stool occurs.
Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.
The
doctor will perform a
physical exam of the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids. A digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger, maybe performed to feel for abnormalities.
Closer evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires an exam with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube useful for viewing internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for more completely examining the entire rectum.
To
rule out other causes of
gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the rectum and lower colon, or sigmoid, with sigmoidoscopy or the entire colon with colonoscopy.
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic procedures that also involve the use of lighted, flexible tubes inserted through the rectum.
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