How is the proctologist examined? Preparation Tips

In the article, we will examine how the proctologist examines

Intestinal pathologies are accompanied by symptoms that disrupt the usual way of life and cause significant discomfort to patients. The way out of this situation is only a timely appeal to a specialist. Examination of a proctologist is often associated with awkwardness, emotional stress. However, if you familiarize yourself with the features of this procedure in advance and properly prepare for it, you can significantly reduce discomfort and get a high-quality diagnosis, and subsequently treatment of the disease.

What diseases is diagnosed by a proctologist?

A field of medicine such as proctology is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon (colon and rectum), anus, anorectal zone. Using a variety of techniques, the specialist examines the lower region of the digestive tract, the anal area for the presence of certain diseases and prescribes the appropriate therapy, in some cases including surgical procedures. When examined by a proctologist, the following pathological phenomena in this area can be detected:

1. Hemorrhoids of varying severity is the most common disease in men and women, which is the formation and inflammation of nodes in the rectum. It occurs, as a rule, in patients of any age, but more often than middle and older. In women, such a disease can develop or worsen during pregnancy, after childbirth.
2. Anal fissures.
3. Inflammatory intestinal pathologies of an acute and chronic nature (sigmoiditis, proctitis, cryptitis, colitis), including ulcerative lesions.
4. The presence of perianal condylomas, polyps, fistulas.
5. Disorders of the intestines.
6. Diverticular disease.
7. Oncological tumors.
8. Purulent lesion of the tissues surrounding the rectum (paraproctitis).
9. Prolapse of the rectum.
10. Muscle dysfunction of the perineum and sphincter.
11. Coccyx cyst.
12. Congenital malformations of the structure.
13. The establishment of mechanical injury to the anus and intestines, the elimination of foreign bodies.

A visit to the proctologist at the initial manifestations of the pathological process contributes to its diagnosis at earlier stages, which leads to successful therapy and a favorable prognosis for the patient.

The main indications for visiting a proctologist

Quite rarely, patients go to a proctologist for the prevention of diseases of the intestine and anorectal zone. In most cases, this occurs as a last resort in case of severe symptoms of a particular pathology and significant discomfort. To prevent the progression of the disease and avoid many negative complications, it is necessary to seek the help of a specialist if the following clinical signs appear:

• prolonged diarrhea, alternating with constipation;
• soreness of varying intensity in the anorectal zone and in the rectum, which manifests itself in various conditions: at rest, during defecation, with a prolonged sitting posture;
• prolapse of the intestine, its weakness;
• discomfort during bowel movements and after;
• redness, itching, burning, swelling, rashes in the perianal region;
• the presence in the feces of blood, pus, mucus, pathological discharge from the anus;
• feeling of heaviness, bloating, flatulence;
• various inflammatory phenomena;
• prolapse of the anus of nodes with hemorrhoids;
• tenesmus, a feeling of incomplete emptying;
• abdominal pain.

When such symptoms appear, it is necessary to conduct a proctologist examination as soon as possible.

Risk groups

Some patients are advised to visit a proctologist regularly for preventive purposes due to the increased likelihood of pathological processes in this area. These categories of patients include:

1. Recently given birth and pregnant women - they often have the first signs of diseases of the rectal area, most often hemorrhoids, or existing ones worsen. During pregnancy, the examination procedure is carried out with caution, and some diagnostic methods are used only in emergency cases.
2. Patients leading a sedentary lifestyle with a sitting position.
3. People with obesity of varying degrees.
4. The elderly.

Menopause in women

This is especially necessary for women during menopause, since hormonal imbalance during this period contributes to the emergence of many diseases, including those affecting the intestines. According to indications, certain diagnostic procedures (sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy) can be assigned to these categories of people. Subject to regular proctological examination are patients who have suffered diseases in this area and have chronic forms of pathologies.

What is the examination of a proctologist in women and men?

Features of a doctor's appointment

Before proceeding to the examination, a specialist examines the patient’s history to identify the causes of the disease. For this, a patient survey is conducted, in which the doctor is interested in such questions:

• how often does he have a bowel movement;
• whether blood, purulent or mucous discharge is present in feces;
• whether there is pain or a feeling of discomfort at the time of defecation, itching in the anus;
• whether the patient feels a feeling of an incompletely liberated rectum;
• Does he have symptoms of poisoning
• what foods were eaten.

For the most reliable detection of pathologies, you need to provide the doctor with the most detailed and accurate information on the above issues, tell about exciting symptoms. This will help him avoid mistakes in diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Examination of a proctologist of men and women is often scary.

Visual inspection

After a conversation with the patient, the specialist proceeds to a visual examination. In this case, you can detect:

• external form of hemorrhoids;
• perianal dermatitis;
• fissures or fistulas of the anus;
• papillomatosis (condylomas, papillomas);
• malignant or benign neoplasms.

Special chair

Inspection takes place in a special proctological chair. The patient lies on his back, bends his legs at the knees and spreads to the sides, leaning on supports. Such a position gives the specialist the opportunity to conduct a full examination of the anus.

It is important to find out in advance how to prepare for the examination of the proctologist.

Stages

In addition to the above visual examination, which is not always sufficient to diagnose certain diseases, there are several other forms of proctologic examination.

1. Palpation. This study is carried out by a specialist in gloves with vaseline or antiseptic ointment applied to the finger, which reduces possible painful or unpleasant sensations during the procedure. This technique makes it possible to assess the tone of rectal muscles and peristalsis of the rectum, to identify the presence of internal hemorrhoids, anal fissures, intestinal ulcers, etc.
2. Instrumental inspection. The simplest and most common tool for such manipulations is an anoscope (rectal mirror). Using this device, the doctor can detect a variety of tumors, cracks, polyps, fistulas, hemorrhoidal nodes inside the intestine. For the most in-depth study, which makes it possible to examine the sigmoid colon (for example, with suspected development of malignant tumors), a rectoscope is used.

Sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy is a study of the rectal region at a depth of immersion of the device inside of up to 25 cm. It is carried out using a rectoscope - an endoscopic device, the main part of which is a metal probe that is equipped with a camera. Manipulation is performed lying on its side with bent knees. The diagnostic significance of rectoscopy lies in the fact that the doctor sees deeper sections of the intestine and can take biomaterial for biopsy, carry out electrocoagulation of blood vessels and tissues during bleeding, remove a foreign object, and remove the polyp.

Rectoscopy is often prescribed for preventive examination of patients after 40 years. During the procedure, anesthesia is not used. People with a low pain threshold are given local anesthesia. The urge to defecate during manipulation is considered a normal condition and should not cause concern.

Preparation for proctologist examination

Before the examination, you need to properly prepare: use an enema with laxatives to empty the intestines. Three times the procedure is considered sufficient: two enemas at bedtime with a break of one hour and one enema in the morning, one hour before a doctor's appointment. One day before the examination of the proctologist, it is recommended to exclude fatty foods from the diet. Reception is carried out on an empty stomach.

It is possible to use a microclyster with quick action (after half an hour), for full cleaning 2-3 enemas are required. Before taking a proctologist, it is necessary to conduct hygiene of the perineum and anorectal region.

Properly conducted preparation contributes to a quality examination and diagnostic procedures, which will allow the proctologist to establish a diagnosis, prescribe treatment and save the patient from painful symptoms.

A visit to this specialist is not a very pleasant, but often necessary procedure. Do not be embarrassed in the office of a proctologist, especially if this happens for the first time. The goal of a medical specialist is to detect and eliminate pathological conditions, and the results of the study largely depend on how much the patient trusts him.

We examined how a proctologist examines women and men.