Rutin helps hemorrhoids

DEAR DR. GOTT: I just want to say a big thank you for the help I got with my hemorrhoid problem. Because I have a spinal disorder, I struggle with bowel difficulties that are not really constipation. This resulted in severe internal and external hemorrhoids. The internal ones were banded about every six months but surgery was recommended for the external ones.

I read about rutin in your column and decided to give it a try. It did take a while, but in about a year, I noticed that despite my continue bowel difficulty, the hemorrhoids had totally disappeared. I had my “well woman” physical this past April and my doctor noticed their absence. When I told her the “secret” she was skeptical but I am quite sure it was the rutin as nothing else has changed. I continue to take one a day. [Read more…]

Some causes for rectal bleeding

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 18-year-old male and would like to know if I have a problem or if it is normal. Personally, I think it is a problem. For a while I have been bleeding from my anus. Sometimes it will stop and start but it only occurs when I use the bathroom.

I haven’t told anybody or seen a doctor about it because I am scared. I hope you have an answer or some suggestions. Thank you.

DEAR READER: There are a number of causes for rectal bleeding, to include hemorrhoids, colon polyps, diarrhea, anal fissures (tears in the anal skin), ulcerative and ischemic colitis, Crohn’s disease, proctitis, cancer, and more.
[Read more…]

Daily Column

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 78-year-old woman in good health. Recent laboratory blood tests were normal. However, during a routine fecal occult test, blood was found in all three slides. I had followed the instructions carefully, so there was no possibility of contamination. My gastroenterologist then performed a colonoscopy, endoscopy and a capsule endoscopy. All three procedures proved negative.

Two and a half years ago I had the same test for the same reason. All three endoscopic tests were negative. The two physicians who performed these tests could not give me any advice as to the source of the blood in the stool samples.

This is a worrisome problem for me. Please advise me if, in your opinion, I should seek further medical advice or simply forget about it.

DEAR READER:
Rectal bleeding and positive fecal occult testing can result from numerous causes, [Read more…]