Anoscopy
This exam only gives a doctor a view of the last two inches of the colon, so it’s not a very thorough exam. One thing that makes this exam convenient when compared to the other procedures is that it requires no prior laxative cleaning preparation.
Proctoscopy
This hemroid exam does require a prior laxative cleaning preparation or an enema. The proctoscope is slightly longer than the scope used during the anoscopy.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopes can be flexible or rigid, but the flexible one is more commonly used. This procedure requires a prior day colon cleaning laxative to ensure a good clean viewing. The rigid scope is anywhere from 10 to 12 inches long and the flexible one is over 2 feet in length. The sigmoidoscope also allows the doctor to take pictures of the viewing area and collect tissue samples for further examination.
Colonoscopy
This is the most thorough of all the colon exams and is widely used as a preventative screening tool for colon cancer. It’s recommended that everyone over the age of 50 should already be getting colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer, but in addition to screening for colon cancer, it’s also used for identifying hemorrhoids, fissures, polyps and fistulas. A one to three day prep period prior to the colonoscopy is required in order to get the best view possible. The colonoscope is a long thin tube with a camera and biopsy tools, which allows for a complete view of the colon.
Summary
All anorectal symptoms need to immediately addressed. While it’s true that hemorrhoids are the most common of all colorectal disorders, other serious and potentially deadly colorectal disease can have the same symptoms. It’s tempting to just think that symptoms such as pain, bleeding and swelling are related to hemorrhoids are always hemorrhoids, but this is not always the case. Ignoring colorectal symptoms is never a good idea; only with a proper exam can your hemorrhoid doctor rule out these other colon diseases and problems.
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