Don’t ignore the signs: Why you should see a doctor about suspected haemorrhoids

Although haemorrhoids can cause discomfort and unpleasant symptoms, they can usually be managed with dietary changes. Nonetheless, it’s important to see a doctor about suspected haemorrhoids to rule out more sinister conditions and establish the best form of treatment. In this informative article, renowned consultant general surgeon Mr Raj Harshen, who specialises in colorectal surgery, sheds light on the causes of haemorrhoids and also explains when you should see a doctor about your symptoms. The leading specialist also details when both conservative (non-surgical) and surgical approaches to treatment are advised.

How do you know if you have haemorrhoids or something more serious?

That is very difficult for a patient to tell by themselves. Usually, most patients can say they have had haemorrhoids for a long time. Patients often describe that there is something that protrudes out at the time of opening their bowels which normally goes back in spontaneously although occasionally may stay out. There are different varieties of haemorrhoids which can be inside, outside or half-in and half-out.

Whenever you are concerned, the best thing to do is to see a specialist to get their expert opinion and confirm whether it is in fact a haemorrhoid. This is vital as it is possible that an anal cancer or something more sinister is present which people often ignore thinking that it is just a haemorrhoid. Therefore, if your symptoms are persisting, it’s always a good idea to get checked over.

When should I see a doctor about haemorrhoids?

Patients take treatment for haemorrhoids if they are new and come up quite suddenly especially if they have never had haemorrhoids before. It’s always important seek reassurance from a specialist or even your GP to confirm it is just a haemorrhoid and nothing more sinister.

If, on the other hand, you have had haemorrhoids for a long time, it is then a question of what kind of symptoms you have. It can often be quite painful, may bleed frequently and can sometimes cause a lot of itching around the anal opening. If these types of symptoms are persisting and aren’t settling, you should seek help and advice.

Can you leave haemorrhoids untreated?

Yes, you can leave haemorrhoids untreated but this largely depends on what kind of symptoms they are causing. It’s quite normal for people to have small haemorrhoids which can flare up with bad constipation or, at the other extreme, with profuse diarrhoea. Once that is addressed, however, haemorrhoids usually settle by themselves.

Common measures used to help settle haemorrhoids include attention to following a good diet which is high in fibre and drinking plenty of fluids to make sure your stools are soft and you are not straining while opening your bowls. When patients follow this lifestyle advice, very often they don’t require any treatment at all.

Are haemorrhoids permanent? Can they recur after treatment?

Haemorrhoids are, generally speaking, a result of how your bowels behave and so if you often suffer from constipation, you have a higher chance of developing them. Again, at the other end of the scale, if you have often experience diarrhoea or looser stools with bowel movements four or five times a day, you are also more prone to getting haemorrhoids.

Some people, depending on their profession or lifestyle, can be more likely to develop haemorrhoids, such as weight lifters or those who regularly lifting heavy weights as part of their job. People who stand up a lot, such as teachers, are also prone to haemorrhoids purely caused by gravity. There is a hereditary element which can cause haemorrhoids.

After treatment, haemorrhoids can recur, particularly if the reason for them forming in the first place is not addressed.

Do haemorrhoids respond well to treatment? What are the most common treatments?

Haemorrhoids do respond well to treatment but how they will be addressed depends on the grade of the haemorrhoid present in the patient. While an early haemorrhoid can usually be managed by diet alone, it’s likely that a bigger haemorrhoid may need a simple outpatient procedure such as banding.

For more advanced cases, there are newer procedures such as haemorrhoidal artery ligation or laser treatment for the haemorrhoid. There is also formal haemorrhoidectomy, a procedure we have been using for many years, during which the haemorrhoid is cut and removed. For patients with multiple haemorrhoids, there is also a staple technique by which all the haemorrhoids are treated in just one operation.




Mr Raj Harshen is one of the UK’s leading specialists in colorectal surgery. If you are concerned about the symptoms of haemorrhoids or are seeking treatment and wish to schedule a consultation with Mr Harshen, don’t hesitate to visit his Top Doctors profile.