About all

What doctor do you go to for hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Expert Care – Find the Right Doctor

What are the common symptoms of hemorrhoids. How are internal and external hemorrhoids different. Which doctor should you see for hemorrhoid treatment. What diagnostic procedures are used for hemorrhoids. How can you manage hemorrhoid pain at home. What are the most effective medical treatments for hemorrhoids. When is surgery necessary for hemorrhoids.

Содержание

Understanding Hemorrhoids: Types, Symptoms, and Causes

Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins in the anal canal or lower rectum. While their exact cause remains unclear, several risk factors contribute to their development. These include aging, which can decrease muscle tone in the area; obesity and pregnancy, which increase pressure on the tissues; and repeated straining during bowel movements or chronic constipation.

There are two main types of hemorrhoids:

  • Internal hemorrhoids: Develop inside the lower rectum
  • External hemorrhoids: Form under the skin around the anus

Common symptoms of hemorrhoids include:

  • Bright red blood on toilet paper, in stool, or in the toilet bowl
  • Anal itching
  • Pain around the anus, especially while sitting
  • Discomfort during bowel movements
  • Hard, painful lumps around the anus

Internal Hemorrhoids: Grading and Symptoms

Internal hemorrhoids are classified into four grades based on their level of prolapse:

  1. Grade 1: No prolapse
  2. Grade 2: Prolapse that retracts on its own
  3. Grade 3: Prolapse that requires manual repositioning
  4. Grade 4: Prolapse that cannot be pushed back in

While internal hemorrhoids are typically painless, they may bleed during bowel movements. In some cases, they can protrude through the anus, becoming irritated and itchy.

External Hemorrhoids and Thrombosis

External hemorrhoids can be itchy, painful, and may feel lumpy. When a blood clot develops within an external hemorrhoid, it’s called a thrombosed hemorrhoid. These appear bluish due to the clot and can be extremely painful, especially within the first 48 hours of development.

Seeking Medical Attention: When to Consult a Doctor

Is it necessary to see a doctor for every case of hemorrhoids? While mild symptoms can often be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical attention. You should consult a healthcare professional if you experience:

  • Persistent bleeding from the anus or rectum
  • Bloody stools
  • Severe pain that doesn’t respond to home treatments
  • Hemorrhoid symptoms that don’t improve after a week of home care

Why is it crucial to seek medical advice for these symptoms? Bleeding can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as colorectal cancer, which need to be ruled out. Additionally, a healthcare provider can offer more effective treatments for severe or persistent hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Diagnosis: What to Expect at Your Doctor’s Visit

How do doctors diagnose hemorrhoids? The diagnostic process typically involves several steps:

  1. Medical history: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, eating habits, toilet habits, and use of laxatives or enemas.
  2. Physical examination: This includes a visual inspection of the anal area to check for external hemorrhoids, skin irritation, or anal fissures.
  3. Digital rectal examination: Using a gloved, lubricated finger, the doctor checks for abnormalities within the anal canal and lower rectum.
  4. Anoscopy: A hollow, lighted tube is inserted into the anus to examine the anal canal and lower rectum more closely.

In some cases, additional tests may be necessary to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Choosing the Right Specialist: Which Doctor Treats Hemorrhoids?

Who should you see for hemorrhoid treatment? While your primary care physician can often diagnose and treat hemorrhoids, several specialists may be involved in hemorrhoid care:

  • Gastroenterologist: A doctor specializing in digestive system disorders
  • Proctologist: A specialist focusing on disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus
  • Colorectal surgeon: A surgeon specializing in diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus

Your primary care doctor can provide a referral to the appropriate specialist based on your specific condition and needs.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes for Hemorrhoid Relief

Can hemorrhoids be managed at home? Many cases of hemorrhoids can be effectively treated with simple home remedies and lifestyle modifications. Here are some strategies to try:

  • Sitz baths: Sitting in warm water for 10-15 minutes, several times a day
  • Ice packs: Applying cold compresses to reduce swelling
  • Over-the-counter creams and suppositories: To relieve pain and itching
  • Witch hazel: A natural astringent that can soothe irritation
  • Increased fiber intake: To soften stools and reduce straining
  • Adequate hydration: To prevent constipation
  • Regular exercise: To promote healthy bowel function

It’s important to avoid excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus, as these actions can exacerbate symptoms and potentially lead to bleeding.

Medical Treatments for Hemorrhoids: From Minimally Invasive to Surgical Options

What medical treatments are available for hemorrhoids? When home remedies aren’t sufficient, doctors may recommend various treatments depending on the severity and type of hemorrhoids:

Minimally Invasive Procedures

  • Rubber band ligation: A small elastic band is placed around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply.
  • Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoid to shrink it.
  • Infrared coagulation: Infrared light is used to create scar tissue, cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid.

Surgical Procedures

  • Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical removal of large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids.
  • Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: A procedure that blocks blood flow to hemorrhoidal tissue.
  • Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation: Uses ultrasound to locate and tie off hemorrhoidal arteries.

The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the type and severity of hemorrhoids, patient preferences, and overall health status.

Prevention Strategies: Reducing Your Risk of Hemorrhoids

How can you prevent hemorrhoids from developing or recurring? While not all cases of hemorrhoids can be prevented, several lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk:

  • Eat a high-fiber diet: Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber per day from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep stools soft.
  • Exercise regularly: Physical activity promotes healthy bowel function and can help prevent constipation.
  • Avoid prolonged sitting: Take breaks and move around, especially if you have a sedentary job.
  • Don’t strain during bowel movements: Use the bathroom when you feel the urge, and avoid spending excessive time on the toilet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put pressure on the veins in your pelvic and rectal area.

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids or experiencing recurrences.

Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy: Special Considerations and Management

Why are pregnant women more prone to hemorrhoids? The increased pressure from the growing uterus, hormonal changes, and constipation common during pregnancy all contribute to a higher risk of hemorrhoids. How can expectant mothers manage this condition?

  • Maintain a high-fiber diet and stay well-hydrated
  • Engage in safe, pregnancy-appropriate exercises
  • Use a sitz bath for relief
  • Avoid standing or sitting for long periods
  • Sleep on your left side to reduce pressure on the rectal veins
  • Use pregnancy-safe topical treatments as recommended by your healthcare provider

Most hemorrhoids that develop during pregnancy will improve after childbirth. However, it’s essential to consult with your obstetrician or midwife if you experience persistent or severe symptoms.

Complications of Untreated Hemorrhoids: When to Worry

Can hemorrhoids lead to serious complications if left untreated? While hemorrhoids are generally not dangerous, in rare cases, they can lead to complications such as:

  • Anemia: Due to chronic blood loss from bleeding hemorrhoids
  • Strangulated hemorrhoid: When the blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, causing extreme pain
  • Infection: Though rare, infected hemorrhoids can lead to abscess formation or cellulitis
  • Skin tags: Residual enlarged skin left after a thrombosed hemorrhoid resolves

These complications underscore the importance of seeking proper treatment for persistent or severe hemorrhoids. If you experience intense pain, heavy bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, redness, swelling), seek immediate medical attention.

Myths and Misconceptions About Hemorrhoids: Separating Fact from Fiction

What are some common misconceptions about hemorrhoids? Let’s debunk a few myths:

Myth 1: Hemorrhoids are always painful

Fact: Internal hemorrhoids are often painless, though they may bleed. External hemorrhoids are more likely to cause discomfort.

Myth 2: Hemorrhoids increase cancer risk

Fact: Hemorrhoids do not increase your risk of colorectal cancer. However, both conditions can cause rectal bleeding, which is why it’s important to have any bleeding evaluated by a doctor.

Myth 3: Hemorrhoids are caused by spicy foods

Fact: While spicy foods may irritate existing hemorrhoids, they do not cause them. The primary causes are related to increased pressure in the anal and rectal veins.

Myth 4: Surgery is always necessary for hemorrhoids

Fact: Many cases of hemorrhoids can be managed with home remedies or minimally invasive procedures. Surgery is typically reserved for severe or persistent cases.

Myth 5: Hemorrhoids will go away on their own if left alone

Fact: While some minor hemorrhoids may resolve without treatment, many will persist or worsen without proper care. It’s best to address symptoms early to prevent complications.

Understanding these facts can help you make informed decisions about your health and seek appropriate care when needed.

Living with Hemorrhoids: Coping Strategies for Daily Life

How can you manage hemorrhoids in your day-to-day life? Living with hemorrhoids can be challenging, but several strategies can help you cope:

  • Use soft, unscented toilet paper or wet wipes to avoid irritation
  • Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear to reduce moisture and friction
  • Apply a cold compress or ice pack to reduce swelling and discomfort
  • Consider using a donut-shaped cushion when sitting for long periods
  • Practice good bathroom habits, including avoiding straining and limiting time on the toilet
  • Incorporate regular exercise into your routine to promote healthy bowel function
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques, as stress can exacerbate symptoms

Remember, hemorrhoids are a common condition, and with proper management, most people can effectively control their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.

Emerging Treatments and Research in Hemorrhoid Care

What new treatments are on the horizon for hemorrhoids? While traditional treatments remain effective for most cases, researchers continue to explore new options:

  • Micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF): A supplement showing promise in reducing hemorrhoid symptoms
  • Radiofrequency ablation: A technique using radio waves to shrink hemorrhoids
  • Laser therapy: Some studies suggest laser treatments may be effective for certain types of hemorrhoids
  • Stem cell therapy: Early research is exploring the potential of stem cells in healing anal fissures and potentially hemorrhoids

As with any emerging treatment, it’s important to discuss the latest options with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate approach for your specific case.

In conclusion, while hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, they are a highly treatable condition. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, you can take control of your health and find relief. Remember, early intervention is key to preventing complications and ensuring the best possible outcome. If you’re experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice and treatment options tailored to your needs.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms and Diagnosis: Internal and External Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids occur when veins in the skin around the anus or in the lower rectum get swollen and inflamed. It’s not exactly clear what causes people to get hemorrhoids, but there are some common, accepted risk factors and conditions that lead to their development.

Aging can decrease muscle tone in the area, weakening the tissue and causing hemorrhoids to bulge, while obesity and pregnancy can increase the risk for hemorrhoids due to increased pressure on tissue in the area. (1)

Repeated straining to make a bowel movement, as well as constipation, are also associated with hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are generally not dangerous or life-threatening, but they may be painful.

Common Hemorrhoid Symptoms to Watch For

The following signs and symptoms may indicate hemorrhoids:

  • Bright red blood on toilet paper, in stool, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement
  • Anal itching
  • Pain around the anus, especially while sitting
  • Pain during bowel movements
  • One or more hard, painful lumps around the anus

If you have any symptoms of hemorrhoids, try to avoid excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus.

Doing these things can make any irritation and itching worse, and can sometimes lead to bleeding.

Internal Hemorrhoids vs. External Hemorrhoids

There are two main types of hemorrhoids:

Internal Hemorrhoids These hemorrhoids develop inside the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids usually don’t hurt, but they often bleed painlessly, resulting in bright red blood you might notice when you go to the bathroom and wipe.

Most of the time, internal hemorrhoids are not visible to the naked eye. But in some cases, internal hemorrhoids may protrude through the anus, which is known as becoming prolapsed. When this happens, they will usually shrink back inside the rectum on their own. Protruding hemorrhoids can become irritated and itchy, and patients may find it difficult to clean themselves after a bowel movement.

Internal hemorrhoids are categorized by how prolapsed they are, which helps determine how they should be treated.

Grade 1 hemorrhoids means there is no prolapse. A prolapse that goes back in by itself is categorized as grade 2. Prolapse that needs to be pushed back in by the patient is considered grade 3. Grade 4 is when the prolapse can’t be pushed back in. (2)

External Hemorrhoids These hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the outside of the anus. They can be itchy or painful, and may feel lumpy.

External hemorrhoids are called thrombosed hemorrhoids when a blood clot develops within the hemorrhoid. The increased pressure can be very painful, especially within the first 48 hours after it develops. (1)

Thrombosed hemorrhoids tend to be bluish in color due to the clot. Sometimes the blood clot will go away on its own, but because the clot has stretched the skin, it may result in an anal skin tag — excess skin left when the blood clot in a thrombosed hemorrhoid is absorbed by the body. Skin tags do not require removal, but if it’s particularly bothersome to a patient, excision is an option. (1)

If a thrombosed hemorrhoid has been present for longer than two days, the pain has often peaked and you might try home treatments while waiting for the clot to clear up on its own. When the clot first forms, it can be very painful; if you make it to your doctor’s office during this time, an in-office surgical procedure, involving local anesthesia and excision of the hemorrhoidal tissue, may be available. (2)

RELATED: 8 Myths You’ve Been Told About Hemorrhoids

How Hemorrhoids Are Diagnosed by Your Doctor

See your doctor if you think you might have hemorrhoids, especially if you notice bleeding from your anus or rectum, or have bloody stools. Your doctor will want to rule out more serious problems that can cause bleeding from the anus or rectum, such as cancer.

Hemorrhoid symptoms may also be similar to those of other anal and rectal problems, including anal fissures, abscesses, warts, and polyps.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and will ask you to describe your symptoms. Questions about your eating habits, toilet habits, and enema and laxative use are likely to come up. (3)

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam to look for lumps or swelling, prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, skin irritation, skin tags, and anal fissures, which are small tears in the anus that can result in itching and bleeding. (3) This will involve a visual examination of the area.

Your doctor may also perform a rectal exam to diagnose internal hemorrhoids, check the muscle tone of your anus, and check for blood in the stool. This is done with a gloved, lubricated finger (called a digital rectal examination) and a tool called an anoscope.

An anoscope is a type of endoscope — a hollow, lighted tube that is inserted a few inches into the anus to help the doctor see any problems inside the lining of the rectum. This procedure is performed in the doctor’s office and doesn’t require anesthesia. (3)

Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to rule out other causes of bleeding, especially if you are over age 40.

These tests may include:

Colonoscopy After you’re sedated with medicine, your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope to look at the inner lining of your colon.

A colonoscopy can help discover ulcers, polyps, tumors, and other areas of inflammation or bleeding.

Sigmoidoscopy This procedure is similar to a colonoscopy, but it uses a shorter tube called a sigmoidoscope to examine the lining of the rectum and the sigmoid colon (the lower part of the colon).

Barium Enema X-ray This is a special type of X-ray of the colon and rectum in which your doctor inserts a liquid solution containing barium sulfate into the rectum. The solution helps highlight specific areas in the colon for your doctor to examine in the X-ray images.

RELATED4 Signs Your Hemorrhoids Warrant a Doctor’s Visit

Additional reporting by Deborah Shapiro.

A Day in the Life of Someone With Crohn’s Disease

Patient-advocate Rocio Castrillon gives readers a reality check on all the daily preparations of someone living with an IBD.

By Rocio Castrillon

How Summer Heat and Habits Can Affect Gastrointestinal Health

Maintaining your digestive health can be more difficult in the summer due to several factors, but there are ways to help protect your gut when temperatures. ..

By Quinn Phillips

Your Sick Day Diet for All Types of IBS

Some people with IBS experience diarrhea or constipation, while others cycle between both. It helps to have some strategies for what to eat when your …

By Marie Suszynski

When to See a Doctor About Hemorrhoids

Often the cause of discomfort, hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous. Here’s what you need to know if symptoms like pain and rectal bleeding occur.

By Ashley Welch

What Are Hemorrhoids? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are enlarged and swollen veins around the outside of the anus or in the lower rectum. They’re often caused by constipation…

By Lindsey Konkel

Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy: Causes and Prevention

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum, and they’re common during pregnancy — especially in the third trimester when the enlarged uterus. ..

By Lindsey Konkel

Treatment for Hemorrhoids

Avoiding constipation can help prevent hemorrhoids, while taking sitz baths and using creams, ointments, or pads with hydrocortisone or witch hazel can…

By Lindsey Konkel

8 Myths You’ve Been Told About Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids — swollen veins around the anus or rectum — are a common digestive issue but not often talked about. Dispel these myths.

By Mikel Theobald

What Is a Gastroenterologist and What Do They Treat?

Are There Different Types of Gastroenterologists?

While some gastroenterologists treat general GI diseases, others cultivate an area of expertise within their specialty. For instance, they may have specific knowledge or experience in managing:

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Pancreatic disease
  • Liver disease
  • Liver transplantation
  • GERD
  • Conditions that require complicated endoscopic procedures

A gastroenterologist may choose to become a hepatologist: a doctor who specializes in diseases of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. A hepatologist must complete a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology with an additional year of concentrated training in hepatology.

Gastroenterologists often work closely with surgeons, oncologists (doctors who specialize in cancer), and radiologists (doctors who specialize in imaging).

How Do I Find the Best Doctor for Gastroenterology?

Your primary care physician is a good place to start. Your doctor likely knows some of the best specialists in your area and can provide you with a list of gastroenterologists to consider.

Word of mouth is another way to find a gastroenterologist who fits your needs. Try asking friends or family members for recommendations.

You can also do a little research yourself. A practice’s website will often feature the doctor’s bio, which includes information like their credentials, education, areas of special interest, and more. Reading online reviews can supply you with feedback from other patients.

How Can I Find Out if a Gastroenterologist Accepts My Insurance?

Your insurance company should supply you with a hard copy or online list of gastroenterologists in your area who accept your coverage. However, it’s a good idea to call your insurance provider and confirm that the specialist you’re considering is on your policy. Physician lists are often out of date.

What Other Factors Should I Consider When Selecting a Gastroenterologist?

When choosing a gastroenterologist, you might want to consider the following factors:

  • The location of the office in relation to where you live
  • The doctor’s experience, education, and credentials
  • The doctor’s subspecialities or special interests
  • The procedures the doctor performs or doesn’t perform
  • The doctor’s personality
  • Hospitals that the doctor is affiliated with
  • Whether the practice offers telemedicine options
  • How long you’ll have to wait for an appointment
  • Whether the office accepts new patients

Some gastroenterologists offer in-person or telehealth consultations for prospective patients. This visit gives you a chance to ask questions and determine if you and the physician are well matched.

How Do I Find a Gastroenterologist Who Will Be Sensitive to My Racial or Ethnic Background and Sexual Orientation?

It’s important to feel comfortable with your doctor, but finding a gastroenterologist who is sensitive to your race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation may take a little bit of effort. If you are having trouble finding a doctor who shares your background, it could be helpful to research your prospective doctor’s memberships and affiliations. This information could help you determine if they make an active effort in educating themselves or advocating about inequities in the healthcare system.

Telemedicine visits also give you an opportunity to see a doctor of your choice who isn’t necessarily located in your area.

9 Signs of an Unhealthy Gut — and What You Can Do About It

An unhealthy gut is tied to a range of symptoms, from acne to unintentional weight changes. Follow these steps to restore balance to your gut health.

By Erica Patino

9 Foods That Help Relieve Nausea

Eating may be the last thing on your mind when your stomach is queasy, but some foods actually ease the symptoms and help stop nausea.

By Melissa Johnson

5 Ways to Incorporate More Fermented Foods Into Your Diet

Fermented foods act as a natural probiotic supplement, helping to populate your gut with good microbes. Here are 5 easy, dietitian-approved ways to add…

By Rachel Dyckman, RDN

The Link Between Your Gut Microbiome and Your Health

Your gut microbiome, or the bacteria in your gut, can have a surprising impact on your health. Find out what steps you can take to promote your gut health…

By Erica Patino

articles of the Oxford Medical Center Kryvyi Rih

Hemorrhoids is a disease that is always heard, BUT many patients are not serious about its first signs. Wikipedia tells us that HEMORRHOIDS is a disease in proctology, a pathological expansion of hemorrhoidal veins, their inflammation, which contributes to the development of hemorrhoids.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids are very diverse and only a doctor can deal with them. The signs that are characteristic of this disease coincide with the manifestations of rectal cancer, and only an experienced proctologist can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. It is important to recognize the first symptoms in time and immediately consult a doctor, because hemorrhoids can lead to serious consequences:

With all the inconvenience that accompanies this disease, people do not rush to see a doctor for help, they all hope for “maybe it will go away on its own” – this is the whole reason for such a large percentage of chronic diseases.

Our proctologists at the appointment always try to explain to the patient in an accessible way that inflamed hemorrhoids will not disappear anywhere and it is necessary to immediately use the treatment in order not to bring it to the chronic stage. In the chronic stage, the disease can resume at any time with more serious symptoms and at the most inopportune moment due to the slightest misconduct: nutrition, heaviness, stress.

What are the conditions for visiting a proctologist?

  • if you are 30 years old or older and your relatives have suffered from hemorrhoids (there is a predisposition to varicose veins), then you should have an annual examination by a proctologist even if you do not have symptoms. In this case, prevention is the best treatment;

  • there is discomfort in the anus – this is the first signal that can warn you about the development of hemorrhoids;

  • swelling, inflammation or displacement of the anal folds at certain times;

  • anal itching, mucus, burning already indicate prolapsed hemorrhoids;

  • discharge of blood on toilet paper, in feces is a characteristic symptom of hemorrhoids. In this case, immediately go to the doctor, because the disease progresses.

  • prolapse of hemorrhoids – already directly indicates the presence of hemorrhoids and the need for its urgent treatment.

If you understand that you have a health problem in this area, but do not know where to turn, go to a PROCTOLOGIST. You should not waste time and life on self-treatment and folk methods, you just start the disease and give it the opportunity to progress.

Hemorrhoids are a disease that can be cured, any proctologist will confirm this to you. The main thing is the timely appeal for help!

Our medical center will provide you with the most comfortable appointment with a proctologist and the most effective and fastest treatment methods.

Make an appointment with a proctologist by phone:

( 056) 409-3000, (067) 560-01-02

Published: 02/19/2020

Updated : 02/19/2020

( Rating: 4. 60, votes: 5 )

What does a proctologist treat and how to prepare for an examination? Indications for visiting a doctor at the MEDSI Clinic

A proctologist is a specialist who treats diseases of the rectum, large intestine and anus. You should contact this doctor immediately after the first signs of the disease are detected. MEDSI clinics employ experienced specialists who provide support to patients with a variety of proctological problems.

Proctologist specialization

A proctologist treats infectious, parasitic, congenital, inflammatory and oncological diseases of the intestine, colon and surrounding tissues. The specialist examines patients and collects anamnesis. You can also get medical advice from a professional.

Doctors have a therapeutic or surgical profile. Doctors of the first type carry out only conservative therapy, the second – surgical interventions.

What diseases does the doctor treat for women?

A proctologist treats:

  • Hemorrhoids. This disease occurs due to varicose veins in the rectum and leads to the development of hemorrhoids that protrude from the anus, causing discomfort, bleeding and pain
  • Anal fissures. This pathology occurs as a result of damage to the walls of the rectum
  • Polyps in the colon. This pathology belongs to the category of benign formations and is hereditary in nature
  • Paraproctitis. These diseases lead to inflammation of the perirectal tissues and the formation of fistulas
  • Worm infestations
  • Cancers

Women should consult a doctor when the first signs of any of the listed pathologies are detected.

These include:

  • Constipation or fecal incontinence
  • Pain in the anus
  • Anal bleeding
  • Discharge from the anus of mucus and pus
  • Bloating

What diseases does it treat in men?

In men, proctologists treat the same diseases as in women.

You should consult a specialist for hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, proctitis and paraproctitis. It is important to understand that only with timely diagnosis, diagnosis and treatment, one can count on the rapid elimination of not only the symptoms of diseases, but also their causes. Turning to a doctor in the early stages of the development of pathology, the patient receives adequate conservative therapy, which avoids the need for surgical intervention.

How to prepare for the examination?

Preparing for a proctologist examination is quite simple. You don’t have to go on a special diet or do cleansing enemas.

Follow these guidelines:

  • It is recommended to have a bowel movement before going to the doctor. If necessary, you can take a laxative. This will allow the specialist to make a preliminary diagnosis
  • The day before the appointment of a proctologist, you should exclude from the diet foods that stimulate increased gas formation
  • Immediately before going to the doctor, perform standard hygiene procedures (washing with soap)
  • Try to calm down and not worry. There is nothing terrible and shameful in the examination by a proctologist. Doctor doing his job

How is the inspection?

An examination by a proctologist takes place in several stages:

  • History taking and listening to patient complaints
  • Primary examination. It is carried out by palpation. The organs are palpated by the doctor through the abdominal wall and through the anus. Such an examination allows you to assess the condition of the anal canal and closely located parts of the intestine. Diagnosis by palpation makes it possible to detect pathological formations and damage to the walls
  • Anoscopy. To conduct this examination, an anoscope is used – a special device in the form of a hollow tube with a light tip and an adapter, which allows you to perform a visual examination of the walls of the rectum. For diagnosis, the patient lies on his side and pulls his legs to his stomach. The device is inserted into the anus and allows the doctor to see all the changes. In addition, during anoscopy, biopsy material is taken
  • Sigmoidoscopy. This examination is carried out using a sigmoidoscope. Diagnosis is aimed at assessing the rectum and sigmoid colon, as well as the condition of the mucous membranes at a depth of up to 40 cm. The sigmoidoscope is a fiber optic tube with a lighting device. For diagnosis, the patient is asked to kneel and elbows. This ensures that the tool penetrates to the desired depth
  • Colonoscopy. Such an examination belongs to the category of endoscopic and is one of the most informative. With such a diagnosis, tumors, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can be detected. The procedure can be not only diagnostic, but also therapeutic. Colonoscopy is also prescribed to stop bleeding, remove small benign tumors and remove foreign bodies from the rectum. Colonoscopy can be performed under anesthesia
  • Laboratory studies. Patients often donate blood and feces

If dangerous pathologies are suspected, the following is additionally prescribed:

  • Computed tomography
  • Intestinal ozonation
  • ultrasound
  • Colon hydrotherapy

Proctologist examination of children

If your child complains of pain during bowel movements, experiences other problems of a proctological nature, you should immediately register him with a doctor. As a rule, the diagnosis of diseases in children is carried out using the palpation technique. Instrumental methods are not used because of the too small size of the rectum. Additionally, the doctor prescribes ultrasound, CT and other examinations that are non-invasive.

Who treats colitis – proctologist or gastroenterologist?

Proctologists are involved in the treatment of colitis, as well as other diseases of the lower digestive tract. They carry out both an initial examination and consultations, as well as a complete diagnosis, and further therapy. If necessary, an additional examination by a gastroenterologist is prescribed. If the situation is complex and confusing, doctors consult and decide on the treatment of pathology together.

Benefits of visiting a proctologist at MEDSI

  • Use of the latest European diagnostic and treatment protocols
  • Minimization of psychological uncertainty, feelings of fear and anxiety in patients
  • Experienced doctors with many years of experience.