Proctologist
A proctologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and prevents diseases of the colon (rectum and colon), anus and pararectal region.
This direction in science is called coloproctology, however, the "proctology" option is the most common and most understandable for people not related to medicine, although it is not entirely correct. After all, proctology, in fact, is a branch of surgeons.
Leave a request "make an appointment" and within a few minutes we will find an experienced doctor near you, and the price will be lower than when contacting the clinic directly. Or choose a doctor yourself by clicking on the "Find a Doctor" button. Find a doctor
Content:
- What does a proctologist treat?
- Proctology: main sections
- What organs does the proctologist treat?
- How is the examination by the proctologist going?
- Diseases that a proctologist treats
- Consultation with a proctologist on hemorrhoids
- Preparing to see a proctologist?
- When is it necessary to visit a proctologist?
- Mandatory visit to the proctologist
- When should a child visit a proctologist?
- Appointment to the proctologist
What does a proctologist treat?
A doctor with a specialty coloproctologist or proctologist deals with the identification and treatment of pathologies of the colon and rectum, as well as the anus. Some time ago, the proctologist was the specialist who dealt exclusively with the treatment of the rectum, but with the development of science, his field of activity expanded. Now diseases of all, without exception, intestinal parts are in the competence of the proctologist.
So, over the course of several years, proctology has grown from a narrowly focused medical field to coloproctology and expanded the scope of specialization. Therefore, a more familiar proctologist and a coloproctologist less familiar to an ordinary person are specialists of the same profile.
Proctology: main sections
- Therapeutic proctology. This industry means getting rid of the patient from various intestinal poisoning, colitis of an infectious nature, from parasitic invasions.
- Surgical proctology. This branch implies the surgical treatment of intestinal parts in case of failure of therapeutic proctology methods, for example, with intestinal bleeding. (Read also: Bleeding from the anus)
What organs does the proctologist treat?
Organs that are in the competence of the proctologist:
- The colon;
- The intestine is straight;
- Anus.
How is the examination by the proctologist going?
At the appointment with a specialist, the patient will have to go through:
- A standard survey, the purpose of which is to clarify the patient's complaints and collect anamnesis of interest to the doctor.
- Rectal examination performed by the doctor using the fingers.
- If necessary, the patient will be sent to undergo additional diagnostic methods: laboratory and instrumental: delivery of feces, colonoscopy, anoscopy or irrigography.
Diseases that a proctologist treats
In his practice, the gut specialist is faced with a variety of diseases.
Their list is quite wide, however, the most common pathologies are as follows:
- Polyposis growths;
- Bowel trauma;
- Removal of foreign bodies from the intestine;
- Prolapse of the rectum;
- Parasitic invasions;
- Anal fissures;
- Colitis;
- Cancers;
- Proctitis;
- Paraproctitis.
Consultation with a proctologist on hemorrhoids
More often than other pathologies, the doctor has to deal with hemorrhoids. The disease is often difficult, with various complications, although sometimes its uncomplicated forms are observed. If a person notices the first signs of hemorrhoids, then he must necessarily go for a consultation with a specialist proctologist. If the disease is left without proper treatment, then in the end it can lead to serious consequences, up to bowel cancer. This is the main danger of hemorrhoids.
Read more: Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment of Hemorrhoids in Men
Preparing to see a proctologist?
Before going to an appointment with this specialist, it is necessary to make preparations. To do this, a person will need to cleanse their intestines well. For this purpose, a conventional enema or laxative can be used.
You should not eat foods that increase gas formation in the evening hours before the appointment. The same rule applies to drinks, such as sweet soda.
When is it necessary to visit a proctologist?
The following signs indicate the need to visit a doctor:
- Painful sensations in the anal area. Often this pain occurs after prolonged sitting or walking.
- Frequent occurrence of constipation or diarrhea.
- Painful sensations arising during the act of defecation. The pain that appears after bowel movement should also alert.
- The appearance of blood stains on toilet paper, after performing natural hygiene procedures. Spots can have a different color - from light scarlet to deep dark.
- The appearance of redness and swelling in the anal area, the occurrence of uncharacteristic itching.
- Mucous discharge from the rectum.
- The appearance of a feeling of presence in the anus of a foreign object.
- Formation of fistulas and excretion of feces through them.
- The appearance of a hemorrhoid after going to the toilet.
Mandatory visit to the proctologist: when is it necessary?
Do not assume that rectal disease is something exclusive, affecting a small number of people. These pathologies are quite common, especially among the adult population. Their occurrence is influenced by a number of predisposing factors affecting the body.
Therefore, it is necessary to see a specialist if:
- You are overweight.
- The woman is in the premenopausal period, has entered it, or the menopause has already been completed.
- If circumstances force a person to remain in a sitting position for a long time. For example, professional costs.
- If you have previously undergone surgical interventions aimed at removing hemorrhoids.
- If a woman has entered the last trimester of pregnancy or has recently given birth to a child and is faced with symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- If there is a diagnosis of intestinal cancer in any close relatives, and the person himself has crossed the threshold of 40 years.
If a person is not worried about anything, then this is still not a reason to refuse preventive visits to a proctologist. The fact is that most serious intestinal diseases in the initial stages give rather meager symptoms.
When should a child visit a proctologist?
Sometimes, it is required to take the child to an appointment with a specialist. This should be done if he has symptoms similar to those of an adult bowel disease. In addition, counseling requires the crying and restlessness of the baby during or after a bowel movement.
