A proctologist is a certified doctor who is trained medically and has great experience in treating diseases that are related to the rectum, anus, and gastrointestinal tract. A proctologist is also known as a colorectal surgeon or an anorectal surgeon.
There are many certified proctologists near you, but finding the best one is always worth it.
What diseases does a proctologist treat?
Here are some of the diseases that a proctologist treats. They are as follows:
- Anal skin tag: An anal skin tag is an abnormal excess skin that occurs in the opening of the anus. This excess skin often develops after the healing of the hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. They tend to be smooth and soft and appear to be flesh in color. However, an anal skin tag does not bleed or cause any pain but may cause itchiness and uncomfortable during bowel movements due to the presence of extra skin at the anus.
- Rectal and colon cancer: Rectal cancers are cancer that occurs inside the rectal while colon cancers are cancer that occurs inside the colon. Both these cancers show no symptoms or any signs and they both started as non-cancerous polyps in their early stage. A screening test can easily help in detecting them. So, people who are over the age of 50 should have a screening test. However, rectal and colon cancer may show symptoms such as changes in stool consistency, changes in bowel movements, blood during bowel movements, and discomfort.
- Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins that occur inside the lower part of the rectum or near the anus. The main causes are pregnancy, obesity, lifting heavy things, and sitting for long periods. Symptoms of hemorrhoids may include pain, discomfort, irritation, itchiness, bleeding, and difficulty in bowel movements.
- Anal fistula: An anal fistula is a disease that occurs either in the external or internal area of the anus. When the gland that is present inside the anus clogs or blocks, it causes the condition. Symptoms of an anal fistula may include pain, discomfort, fever, irritation, shivering, bleeding, and frequent anal abscess.
- Anal fissures: An anal fissure is a small tear in the opening lining of the anal canal or anus. This happens when you give too much pressure on your anus on trying to pass a very hard, dry, and large poop. Symptoms of an anal fissure may include blood, pain, discomfort, and difficulty in bowel movements.
- Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis is a disease that develops when infection or inflammation occurs in one or more small pouches inside the digestive tract. Symptoms of diverticulitis may include pain, nausea, fever, and change in bowel movements.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the intestine that causes abnormal pain in your stomach. The symptoms may include cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, discomfort, , and change in bowel movements.
- Polyps: Polyp is a disease of abnormal growth of tissue. They usually appear as tiny flat bumps or small mushroom-like stalks. Polyps most commonly occur in the uterine and colon but they can also occur in places like; the cervix, nose, stomach, throat, and ear canal.