How are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?

Most hemorrhoid sufferers can diagnose the condition themselves. The most obvious hemorrhoid diagnosis is a visual examination of the anus, observing blood in the stool, or blood on the toilet paper during cleaning after a bowel movement and observing any swollen blood vessels.

A medical practitioner may diagnose hemorrhoids by doing an internal examination and checking for lumps in the rectum. This is done by inserting a finger in the anus. A medical practitioner may also use an anoscope to visually examine the rectum. The anascope is small tapered hollow tube, made of either metal or plastic which is approximately 3 inches long that is lubricated and inserted in the anus and allows him to see into the anal canal.

A medical practitioner will use colonoscopy which is a procedure that allows him to view the large intestines. The colonscope is a long flexible tube that is inserted in the colon via the rectum. The scope blows air into the intestine to inflate it and make viewing possible. The practitioner will be able to diagnose hemorrhoids by identifying abnormal growths, inflamed tissues, ulcers and bleeding. By this technique the practitioner can remove some of the tissue from the lining of the colon, diagnose the existence of hemorrhoids and perform treatment.

A proctoscopy is another insertion tool use by practitioners to diagnose hemorrhoids in the entire rectum.

A sigmoidoscopy is a procedure similar to the colonscopy which allows practitioners to inspect the lower colon. This procedure helps in diagnosis of diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation,abnormal growth and bleeding. The sigmoidoscope blows air into the intestine to inflate it and make viewing and hemorrhoid diagnosis possible.