Initial Examination by a Doctor for Hemorrhoids
life, have developed a purplish or bluish tinge, or have started
protruding through the anus, it's time to see a doctor. However, this
can be a quite frightening, not to mention embarrassing proposal at the
best of times. Getting all the information on what you can expect from
your initial examinations is a good idea, and will both help to bolster
your courage and let you make informed decisions on your care.
The first doctor you'll be going to see will, in all likelihood, be your family physician.
There are several good reasons for this, not least of which is that
your insurance, if you have any, may refuse to pay a specialist unless
your general practitioner recommends it, which means you have to go see
said general practitioner first. In addition, while a specialist may
know all about your problem, your family doctor knows you and your
medical history. Ideally, the two should work together to create the
absolute best treatment plan for you, but in addition, your family
doctor functions as your advocate and watches out for you. Through
knowing you better, he or she can often explain complex things to you
more easily, and will be on the lookout for your well being throughout
the entirety of your treatment plan.
When you go in for your appointment with your family doctor, he or she
may not physically examine you at that time. What is sure to occur is a
detailed conversation in which your doctor will want to know exactly
what has been going on. To make the most out of this initial
appointment, it helps to write down every single symptom at a quiet
time and place prior to going in to the office. This way, you won't
have to worry about forgetting anything, and your doctor is sure to get
all of the information they need to help you. If your family physician
has the facilities and equipment on hand, he or she may want to
physically examine you as well, but some family doctors don't stock
specialized equipment due to space concerns. Seeing as they are the
first people everybody comes to in the event of an ailment, if they
kept all of the specialized medical equipment in existence on hand,
there would be no room for people in their offices! So, in all
likelihood your doctor will then refer you to a specialist and help you
make an appointment.
Whether your family doctor or the specialist does the examination, the procedure is pretty much the same.
After your vital signs are taken and noted by the attendant or nurse,
you will be let into a private room, asked to replace your clothing
with a hospital gown, and draped completely for your and your doctor's
comfort. The draping serves to both make you more comfortable and to
provide your doctor with the visual context for proper clinical
detachment. Rest assured that your doctor is not judging you, nor does
he or she find the physical exam in the least bit embarrassing but
rather a normal process. He or she will visually inspect the area, and
then probably insert an anoscope to check for internal hemorrhoids. An
anoscope is a tapering hollow metal tube that has a visual portal cut
out of one quarter of the wall. Because it only allows the doctor to
see one quarter of the anorectal canal at a time, a total of four
insertions will be necessary. In addition to the anoscope, your doctor
may palpitate the exterior of the anus to check for lumps that are deep
within the tissues.
After the physical examination,
You will be given time to redress, and then the doctor will come back
in to discuss what was found with you. At this time you should ask any
and all questions you may have so that you are fully informed. During
the discussion, the doctor will make recommendations for your treatment
plan, which may range from instructions to follow at home all the way
up to surgery. If the physical examination was done by the specialist,
you should feel free to discuss everything with both the specialist and
your family doctor. In addition, further referrals to other specialists
will be given to you at this time. After that, you should be well on
your way to getting rid of your hemorrhoids for good.
Not happy with the doctor?
Every doctor should respect your dignity, your privacy, and your right
to be informed at all times. If any doctor does not, feel free to ask
your family doctor about the problem. Perhaps your general practitioner
may be able to help resolve misunderstandings, or can refer you to a
different specialist who will be better suited to you. If your family
doctor falls down in this regard, it's time to find a new family
doctor. Feel free to interview general practitioners to find the best
fit for you. Be respectful of their time and education, but remember
that they are there to help you. With patience and respect on both
sides, you should have no more troubles.
