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I Am Embarrassed To Even Talk About This But I
Question: I am embarrassed to even talk about this but I have hemorrhoids and have had them for 3 months almost. I have a lot of blood in my stool. When should I go to a doctor?
Brief Answer:
No need to be embarrassed. It is a disease like all the others.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for using "Ask a doctor" service.
I understand your concern. But you do not need to be embarrased because it is a disease like all the others.
There is strong evidence that dietary/lifestyle modification and topical or oral medications can relieve hemorrhoids.
Eat foods rich in fiber (a lot of fruits and vegetables), and drink plenty of water. You should ingest 20 to 30 g of insoluble fiber per day and drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. Both are necessary to produce regular, soft stools, which reduce straining at defecation. It could take six weeks to fully realize the beneficial effect of fiber [
Many commercially available fiber supplements are available to reduce constipation. Many contain either psyllium or methylcellulose.
Refrain from straining or lingering (eg, reading) on the toilet.
Have regular physical exercise.
If possible, avoid medications that can cause constipation or diarrhea.
Limit the intake of fatty foods and alcohol, which can exacerbate constipation. Although a popular myth, eating spicy food (eg, red hot chili peppers) had no effect on hemorrhoid symptoms such as irritation and pruritus.
If all these do not help you can buy over the counter cream which contains a steroid and lidocaine to apply locally around and inside the anus.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Klarida Papaqako
General and family physician
No need to be embarrassed. It is a disease like all the others.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for using "Ask a doctor" service.
I understand your concern. But you do not need to be embarrased because it is a disease like all the others.
There is strong evidence that dietary/lifestyle modification and topical or oral medications can relieve hemorrhoids.
Eat foods rich in fiber (a lot of fruits and vegetables), and drink plenty of water. You should ingest 20 to 30 g of insoluble fiber per day and drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. Both are necessary to produce regular, soft stools, which reduce straining at defecation. It could take six weeks to fully realize the beneficial effect of fiber [
Many commercially available fiber supplements are available to reduce constipation. Many contain either psyllium or methylcellulose.
Refrain from straining or lingering (eg, reading) on the toilet.
Have regular physical exercise.
If possible, avoid medications that can cause constipation or diarrhea.
Limit the intake of fatty foods and alcohol, which can exacerbate constipation. Although a popular myth, eating spicy food (eg, red hot chili peppers) had no effect on hemorrhoid symptoms such as irritation and pruritus.
If all these do not help you can buy over the counter cream which contains a steroid and lidocaine to apply locally around and inside the anus.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Klarida Papaqako
General and family physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
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