Most people postpone their visit to the doctor because they are too embarrassed to talk about what’s bothering them. Things such as bodily functions, private parts, and sex are still taboo, which is why a lot of people would rather tolerate or suffer through the pain instead of seeking a medical appointment.

Almost everybody who have consulted me have been embarrassed to talk about their anal problems. But this is something you need to get over in order for your hemorrhoids to be treated, so you can be on your way to recovery.

Here are some of the things you can do (or think) to make it easier to talk to your doctor about your “embarrassing” problem.

You’re not that special.

Trust me when I say that your situation is most probably something I’ve already heard of a million times. Hemorrhoids happen to a lot of people, not just you. So don’t be embarrassed when you get it, and don’t be afraid to talk about it to your doctor.

Own up to your embarrassment.

Admit that what you’re going through is difficult for you to talk about. “I’m not comfortable discussing this with you, and it’s hard for me to ask, but…” Saying this straight away will allow the doctor to put you at ease and to proceed more carefully in the conversation.

A medical appointment is not a date.

Most people think that going to the doctor is like going on a first date. Remember that this is a professional relationship, which means you don’t have to be articulate, or even make steady eye contact. Your Los Angeles anal doctor has been trained to be nonjudgmental, which is why you don’t have to worry about the kind of impression you’re making.

Do whatever works for you.

If you are really nervous about talking to the doctor, write down what it is you want to say (or ask) ahead of time. Or, you can find out your doctor’s email address and send an email first before making the visit.

Be prepared to strip.

If you’re anxious about undressing in front of a doctor, do whatever you can to make things easier for you, such as wearing good underwear or shaving your legs.

Seeing a doctor to have your hemorrhoids checked is already half the battle won. Rest assured that the staff here at the Proctology Institute is discreet, compassionate, and sensitive to what you’re going through.

Hemorrhoids can be a literal pain in the ass. And when you have them, you certainly don’t want to do anything to worsen your ordeal. You need to stop doing the following things if you have a hemorrhoid:

Taking too much laxatives.

A laxative may be a good idea to ease your constipation. But just like in all things, too much of it would be a bad idea. Frequent laxative consumption causes the veins in the rectum and anus to bruise easily, making them vulnerable to infection. The type of laxative you use also matters; avoid the ones that are not fiber-based as they may induce diarrhea. The safest to use are bulk laxatives such as psyllium.

Delaying going to the bathroom.

If you feel the urge to go, do it right away. Delaying what is inevitable will harden your stool and make it dry.

Doing other things in the bathroom.

And by “other things,” I mean stuff like reading magazines or scrolling through your Instagram feed to pass the time away while you poop. Spending more time than what is necessary on the bathroom will cause you to strain and put undue pressure on your anal blood vessels.

Eating spicy food.

While there is no evidence to suggest that spicy food can worsen hemorrhoids, their presence may aggravate an already sensitive digestive system, so it would be best to stay away from them for the meantime.

Taking an iron supplement.

An iron supplement may cause constipation as its side effect, which can aggravate the hemorrhoids. It is best to consult with a Los Angeles hemorrhoid doctor first if you want to continue taking the supplement.

Lifting heavy objects.

Lifting weights or a heavy piece of furniture may cause you to strain and increase the pressure on your internal organs, including the veins in your rectum. Make sure to use proper breathing and lifting techniques to prevent your hemorrhoids from worsening.

If you want to know more about proper hemorrhoid management, please feel free to schedule an appointment here at the Proctology Institute.

Hemorrhoids is a common medical ailment, especially for people who are getting along in years. It can easily be treated by increasing your fiber and water intake. A hard stool can irritate the surrounding blood vessels as it makes its way down the anal canal. Upping your fiber and fluids will cause the stool to soften, so you won’t have to strain as hard when taking a poop.

You can also take sitz baths, which, as the name implies, will require you to sit long times in the bath to soak the tender area in warm water. This relaxes the anal muscles and helps ease the discomfort.

Hemmorhoids—Or Something Else Entirely?

There are times when a trip to a doctor, or more specifically, a proctologist, will be required. A study[1] shows that only a third of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids seek medical attention, while the rest suffer in silence and embarrassment.

This should not be the case.

If you experience rectal pain or rectal bleeding for an extended period of time, I would suggest that you seek immediate medical care. A hard lump in the anus, or stools that are black or tarry in color are also indications that you need to get yourself checked by a Los Angeles proctologist.

These things can be symptoms of a far more serious medical condition, such as cancer. It is therefore important to eliminate these possibilities and rule them out first before beginning treatment for hemorrhoid.

And even if you do not experience these severe symptoms, a visit to the Proctology Institute is still highly recommended, especially if the discomfort persists despite using over-the-counter topical creams. Seeking medical attention will also help reduce the chances of another hemorrhoid flare-up in the future, and will ensure that the condition is treated properly.

 

[1] http://www.mdedge.com/jfponline/article/60141/office-evaluation-and-treatment-hemorrhoids

If you’re experiencing itchiness in the rectal area or having painful bowel movements, it could be a sign of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids happen whenever the small veins near your rectum and anus become swollen or inflamed. In a sense, they’re like varicose veins, but are located in the butt.

Many people do not know that there two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. The internal one forms deep within the rectum, hidden from plain sight, and is virtually painless. In fact, most people who have them don’t even know they have one. The only sign of an internal hemorrhoid is bleeding.

External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, develop under the skin around the anus. This area has a lot of sensitive nerves, so unlike an internal hemorrhoid, you’ll know right away if you have one. If your hemorrhoids are causing you a lot of discomfort, itchiness, and bleeding, then you are having an external one.

What Happens When Hemorrhoids Worsen  

If an internal hemorrhoid worsens over time, it becomes a prolapsed hemorrhoid and may cause symptoms similar to that of an external hemorrhoid.

There are cases when a ruptured blood clot may develop from an external hemorrhoid and push through the skin. This is what is called a thrombosis. While not life-threatening, it can be extremely painful, and a Los Angeles hemorrhoid doctor may be needed to have the thrombosed hemorrhoid removed if it cannot be managed by medication.

Hemorrhoids are generally not serious and are usually treatable on their own. They can be relieved in a number of ways, such as sitz baths, topical creams, and over-the-counter medicine.

However, there are cases when they do get worse over time. They could even be an indication that there is a problem with your rectum or gastrointestinal tract. If you suspect that there is something more seriously wrong with your hemorrhoid, please visit the Proctology Institute to have yourself checked by a medical professional.