Diagnosis will depend on your symptoms. Because sometimes piles are external, a doctor can sometimes diagnose by simply looking, in other cases a more detailed form of diagnosis is required. Please feel free to talk to us if you are feeling concerned about your examination. Our GI doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating haemorrhoids and we will ensure you are treated with kindness and dignity.
Rectal exam. A doctor will insert a lubricated, gloved finger to assess your rectum, looking for growths or abnormalities.
Proctoscopy or rigid sigmoiodoscopy. A proctoscope or a sigmoidoscope may be used to examine inside your anal canal, including the last section of the colon. These scopes are thin rigid plastic tubes with a light and camera that enable the surgeon to look at the lining of the rectum and back passage.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy. A flexible sigmoidoscope looks at the distal colon and rectum to establish there is no other untoward cause for bright red rectal bleeding. This should rule out conditions such as polyps which need to be removed.
Colonoscopy. If there are any abnormalities that need further investigation, your doctor may also refer you for a colonoscopy, which uses an endoscope to view the entire length of your colon. This would only be relevant if your symptoms, and anything discovered in the other examinations, suggest that you may have a related digestive tract disorder.