Colonoscopy: From Colon Cancer to Hemorrhoids
It’s easy enough to self diagnose when you have hemorrhoids because everyone is familiar with the symptoms of hemorrhoids like itching, pain, discomfort, and bleeding. Since most people also know that hemorrhoids aren’t serious, a lot of people don’t want the hassle and embarrassment of having to go to the doctor, they want to just skip this step and go directly to hemroid treatment on their own. However, it’s important, to see your doctor. No, it’s not just important; it may even save your life. I’m not exaggerating when I say this, when it comes any anal symptoms the importance of an exam such as a colonoscopy can’t be overstated. This is because the symptoms of hemorrhoids can be the same as other deadly diseases like colon cancer. Only your doctor can properly diagnose your hemorrhoids so you’ll need to get over your discomfort and embarrassment and discuss your symptoms with a doctor.
A lot of people literally dread the idea of getting a colonoscopy but it’s not too bad. A lot of people consider the day leading up to the exam to be much worse; you have to swallow a terrible concoction that puts a spring in your step. Expect to spend the day at home close to a bathroom. During the procedure itself you’ll usually be under anesthesia or muscle relaxers so you don’t have to worry about any pain or discomfort. This process is unpleasant but a small price to pay for peace of mind and good long term health. No one has ever died of embarrassment, but colon cancer kills over 650,000 a year, it is the third most common cancer related cause of death.
Everyone over the age of 50 should be getting colonoscopies regularly already, but the colonoscopy is also the exam of choice for a hemroid, so no matter how young you may be, if you experience any symptoms that you think are hemorrhoids be sure to talk to a doctor.
