Preparing for an appointment

If you have signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids, make an appointment with your regular doctor. If needed, your doctor might refer you to one or more specialists — including a doctor with expertise in the digestive system (gastroenterologist) or a colon and rectal surgeon — for evaluation and treatment.

Here are some suggestions to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms and how long you've noticed them
• Key personal information, including typical bowel habits and diet, especially your fiber intake
• All medications, vitamins or supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

For hemorrhoids, some questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the likely cause of my symptoms?
• Is my condition likely to be temporary or permanent?
• Am I at risk of complications related to this condition?
• What treatment approach do you recommend?
• If treatments we try first don't work, what will you recommend next?
• Am I a candidate for surgery? Why or why not?
• Are there additional self-care steps that might help?
• I have other medical problems. How can I manage these along with hemorrhoids?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

• How uncomfortable are your symptoms?
• What are your typical bowel habits?
• How much fiber does your diet contain?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• Has anyone in your family had hemorrhoids or cancer of the colon, rectum or anus?
• Have you had a change in your bowel habits?
• During bowel movements, have you noticed blood on your toilet paper, dripping into the toilet or mixed into your stools?

What you can do in the meantime

Before your appointment, take steps to soften your stools. Eat more high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and consider an over-the-counter fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day also might help relieve your symptoms.