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A proctologist is a doctor who many people are embarrassed to see. This is a big mistake because the conditions that this specialist treats are usually associated with chronic pain and discomfort. Often, just one visit to the proctologist is enough to make a diagnosis and implement effective treatment that will bring clear relief to the patient.
What diseases does a proctologist deal with?
Proctology is a medical specialty that deals with diseases of the end part of the gastrointestinal tract: rectum (part of the large intestine), anal and anal canal. A proctologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats such diseases as: hemorrhoids, perianal abscess, anal fissure, ulcerative colitis. Patients who visit a proctologist usually have the following health problems:
Chronic constipation or diarrhea
– permanent feeling of bloating, gas problems,
– painful bowel movements,
– feeling of incomplete bowel movements,
Blood or mucus in the stools
– burning or itching sensation around the anus.
Most of these symptoms are chronic or recurrent, so it is not worth delaying a visit to a specialist. In the initial phase, many proctological diseases can be treated pharmacologically, but if the disease is at a more advanced stage, surgery is often required.
Proctology – diagnostics
The proctologist begins diagnostics with an extensive interview with the patient. Questions about eating habits or lifestyle may be surprising, but an improperly balanced diet, irregular meals and sedentary work are very common causes of problems with the digestive tract. An important part of the visit is the rectal examination – although it is very embarrassing for most patients, it is very effective in the initial diagnosis. Finger examination of the anus, anal canal and rectum allows the doctor to assess the condition of these parts of the body and decide on further tests.
In proctology, one can distinguish three basic types of specialized diagnostic tests:
1) anoscopy – examination using a special speculum. It allows the doctor to assess the condition of the end rectum and anal canal;
2) rectoscopy – it is also an examination with the use of a speculum, but the colonoscopy is deeper than in the case of anoscopy and enables the taking of tissue specimens for histopathological examination;
3) colonoscopy – examination carried out using a colonoscope, i.e. a flexible endoscope inserted through the anus. It allows you to view the inside of the large intestine and take samples for examination, but also allows you to perform basic procedures such as stopping bleeding, widening intestinal stricture or removing polyps.
Other diagnostic tests that may be ordered by a proctologist include: Transrectal ultrasound, colon X-ray, occult blood test, laboratory blood and stool tests.
Proctology – treatment
Treatment depends on the patient’s complaints and the stage of the disease. Many of the diseases with which patients report to a proctologist are those that are treated pharmacologically, with oral medications or rectal suppositories. Polyps, cysts, and some hemorrhoids must be surgically removed. The most extensive proctological treatment concerns diagnosed colorectal cancer. Treatment depends on the location and stage of the tumor.