Disease of the rectum in women and men is one of the common and very sensitive topics that are relevant today. Perhaps this is because many are embarrassed to seek help from a specialist.
The worst disease that can affect the rectum is cancer. Like other types of tumors, it is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Therefore, it is imperative to pay attention to any changes in the rectum.
Rectum: diseases, symptoms, treatment
The rectum is an organ of the small pelvis, which is part of the digestive system and is designed to remove processed foods (feces) from the body.
The rectum begins at the level of the third sacral spine and ends with the anus. Its average length is 15-17 cm.
The organ consists of a mucous, submucosal and muscle layer. Due to this structure, the mucous membrane can move - to fold or straighten, depending on the overcrowding of the rectum.
The main function of the organ is bowel movement. Due to its purpose, the rectum is highly susceptible to various injuries and diseases.
Common diseases include cracks, polyps, proctitis, hemorrhoids, ulcers, and cancer. The same symptoms of rectal disease can indicate different ailments. For any ailments, consult a doctor immediately. The proctologist deals with rectal problems.
Polyps in the rectum: symptoms
Polyps are a benign lesion on the epithelium of the rectum. There are fibrous and adenomatous, villous and multiple polyps of a mixed type.
- Fibrous polyps are formed from connective tissue.
- Adenomatous - from the tissues of the glands (this type of polyps is the most dangerous, as it can degenerate into cancer).
- Villous polyps are epithelial growths that have many papillae-villi.
- A mixed type of polyps is a combination of the previous species.
The main causes of the onset of the disease are untreated inflammation in the rectum (colitis, hemorrhoids, enteritis).
When polyps appear in the rectum, the symptoms may be as follows:
- Blood during bowel movements.
- The stool is painful, sometimes accompanied by bleeding.
- In case of infection, an increase in temperature and chills is possible.
- Constipation (if polyps are large).
- Foreign body sensation in the anus.
It should be borne in mind that very often it is difficult for the patient to detect the formation of polyps or just inflammation of the rectum - symptoms as such may be absent.
Polyps are treated surgically. Other methods are simply ineffective and provide relief only for a while.
Single polyps are removed by electrocoagulation (cauterization). Transanal excision is used to treat large polyps. Therapy of polyps that started malignant degeneration is carried out by removing the affected area of the rectum.
Paraproctitis: symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of diseases of the rectum can be very different, or they may be completely absent. For example, the main sign indicating paraproctitis (purulent inflammation of the rectum) is the discharge of pus in the anus.
The cause of the disease is the formation of microholes (fistulas) in places of anal crypts, due to frequent constipation, diarrhea, weight lifting, hypothermia. Such suppuration either opens out independently, or with the help of doctors. In its place there is a fistula (chronic paraproctitis).
Signs of the disease are malaise, weakness, headache, a slight increase in temperature, chills, aching joints. Decreased appetite. Urination and stool may be impaired.
There are several forms of paraproctitis:
- Subcutaneous. Symptoms - redness, swelling, compaction in the anus, which is accompanied by pain and discomfort.
- Pelvic-rectal. Symptoms - general weakness and intoxication, are similar to a respiratory infection. There may also be painful urination and stool.
- Ischiorectal. Symptoms - the formation of purulent inflammation in the ileum-rectal fossa, asymmetry of the buttocks, redness of the skin.
- Submucosa. This is the occurrence of purulent foci on the mucous membrane. Symptoms resemble those of subcutaneous paraproctitis.
- Pelviorectal. The most severe form. Symptoms - chills, fever, pelvic and abdominal pain.
- Necrotic. It is accompanied by the death of tissues - necrosis.
The most favorable treatment method is surgical. During the operation, not only the abscess is removed, but also the internal micro-hole. After such an operation, relapse of the disease does not occur.
Hemorrhoids: causes and symptoms
Hemorrhoids are a venous expansion in the rectum that is chronic in nature with periodic exacerbations.
Similar diseases of the rectum have rather unpleasant symptoms - itching, burning, pain during stool, bleeding, loss of part of the intestine.
The main cause of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle, frequent constipation, pregnancy, weight lifting, severe hypothermia.
If the disease is ignored and treatment is not given, this may be the beginning of the formation of polyps, blood clots, and cancer. Therefore, do not postpone a visit to a specialist. Alternative methods of treatment are effective - candles, ointments containing raw potatoes, beets, carrots, garlic, propolis and honey. Herbs decoctions (millennials, mountain ash), horse chestnut infusions have proven themselves well.
Do not ignore the symptoms when the rectum becomes inflamed. Diseases, photos of which you will not see in an ordinary hospital, are not only “uncomfortable”, but sometimes life-threatening.
Hemorrhoidal Thrombosis
This is a complication of hemorrhoids that occurs as a result of neglect of the disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhoids in the early stages helps prevent its further development and relapses.
However, when the disease is ignored, blood clots appear that have different degrees of severity:
I - the formation of clots that disrupt the circulation of blood in the nodes. The main symptom is the appearance of small cones near the anus .
II - inflammatory processes begin. The pain becomes stronger, the temperature rises, the swelling of the skin of the anus increases.
III - the spread of inflammation to the inguinal region with possible tissue necrosis.
The main symptoms of rectal disease that you need to respond to:
- Pain in the anus, perineum.
- Bloody stool.
- Defecation disorders (diarrhea, constipation).
- False urge to the toilet.
- Incontinence of gases and feces.
Of course, rectal disease is a delicate problem, but it needs to be addressed. You can’t let everything drift. Otherwise, health complications, in particular the formation of malignant tumors, cannot be avoided.
Rectal prolapse
Rectal prolapse is an inversion of all layers of the distal colon. It occurs equally often in children, men and women. In the first case, this is due to the anatomical features of the child's body, in the second - hard work, in the third - the bearing and birth of a child. Many diseases of the rectum in women are associated with childbirth.
Sometimes the causes of the disease can be buttock injuries, falls, bruises of the sacrum or spinal cord.
There are three degrees of the disease:
- The bowel falls out during bowel movements, and then independently returns to its place.
- The bowel falls out during bowel movements and physical activity. You can return it back only by reduction.
- Loss occurs during coughing, laughing and may be accompanied by fecal incontinence, urine.
Symptoms of a disease of the rectum in such cases can begin suddenly or appear "on the rise." In this case, mucus or blood secretion, abdominal pain, constipation are possible.
Treatment of prolax (prolapse of the intestine) is most effective if performed surgically. Drug therapy is used as an additional method.
Colorectal cancer: risk group
In most cases, the disease does not occur out of the blue. It is always preceded by inflammatory processes in the organ, which for a long time were ignored and not treated. These are all kinds of fistulas, cracks, polyps, hemorrhoids.
A tumor is most often found in those over fifty. The risk group consists of people:
- With a hereditary predisposition.
- Suffering from dysbiosis.
- Leading a sedentary way of life.
- With diabetes or those who suffer from obesity.
- Abusing carcinogens (nicotine, alcohol).
- Who has precancerous conditions.
Probably, there is nothing worse and more unpleasant than the condition when the rectum becomes inflamed. Disease symptoms may be the same, but the treatment will be different.
It should be remembered that colorectal cancer for a long time "sits" asymptomatic and is detected only at the metastasis stage. Therefore, people at risk should pay special attention to this body.
Diagnosis of diseases of the rectum
To diagnose diseases in proctology, a large arsenal of a variety of methods is used:
- The most accurate and reliable - rectoscopy. It represents the introduction of a special rectoscope device (tube with lighting) into the rectum to a depth of about thirty centimeters. This helps to identify the patient's various inflammatory processes (ulcers, polyps, tumors). The procedure will bring a little discomfort, but it is almost painless. The use of a rectoscope also allows the treatment of diseases of the rectum (electrocoagulation).
- Colonoscopy is a probe study of the rectum. It is used for tumor formations. Contraindications - acute pain, infectious diseases, heart and lung failure.
- Biopsy - taking tissue or cells of the rectum for further diagnosis under a microscope.
- Endorectal ultrasound (the introduction of a special sensor).
- Blood tests, urine, feces.
Thanks to a variety of methods for examining the rectum, you can most accurately diagnose any inflammation, disease of this organ and choose the treatment regimen as correctly as possible.
Methods of treatment of proctologic diseases
Depending on the complexity of the disease, the following methods are used for treatment:
- Medicines Effective only in the initial stages of the disease. With the help of drugs, you can relieve pain, inflammation (suppositories, ointments).
- Surgery. The main method that is successful in almost 100% of cases. It is used at all stages in combination with drugs.
- Cryosurgery. Treatment of neoplasms with the help of low temperatures. The method is powerful in various fields of medicine.
- Laser therapy. The impact on the disease of electromagnetic radiation.
- Hypothermia. Therapy with temperature. A device with a temperature limit of -5 to +35 degrees is used. Hypothermia is most often used after operations, with proctitis, cracks.
Diet treatment
With various ailments of the rectum, different diets are prescribed. So, for example, in the presence of constipation and cracks, it is recommended to adhere to diet No. 3. Namely, include thermal and mechanical irritants in the diet to stimulate the rectum. This vegetable coarse fiber - meat, bread, eggs (hard boiled, omelettes), fish and dairy products, cereals and pasta, fats, vegetables.
The diet for diseases of the rectum is adjusted depending on the stage and complexity of the disease. In any case, you need to exclude alcohol and carbonated drinks, spices, spicy dishes, as well as other products that cause flatulence. Food should be as balanced and fractional as possible. Do not forget about vitamins (fruits, vegetables, raw and in the form of juices).
After surgery in the anus, one or two days should be starved to avoid bowel movements and, accordingly, irritations of the anus.
Alternative methods of treatment
Traditional medicine for rectal ailments can be quite effective if you can use it correctly. It is used as an additional treatment method. People know thousands of recipes for relieving not only pain, but also other symptoms.
All recipes can be divided into two types:
- For oral administration. Decoctions of millennia, spotted arum, elderberry, mustard, tatarnik, nettle, chamomile.
- For local use - candles, ointments, baths, microclysters. Celandine, sea buckthorn oil, camphor oil, calendula are used for this.
In any case, before using traditional medicine, a proctologist must be consulted, otherwise treatment may not alleviate the course of the disease, but rather harm it.
Conclusion
Diseases of the rectum are a delicate problem, but need urgent resolution. Prolonged ignoring of symptoms leads to chronic inflammation, which is difficult to treat. The worst consequence of chronic rectal ailments is cancer, which can manifest itself only in the third or fourth stage, when there is no longer any way out ...