Proctologist is a doctor who deals with the detection and treatment of diseases of the anus and rectum, as well as the colon. This pathology is quite intimate, so the help of this specialist is often invaluable to the patient.
What is the essence of the profession?
Proctologist is a doctor who treats diseases of a very intimate area. We are talking about the anus and the rectum and large intestine. The need to single out diseases in this area as a separate medical branch is due to their prevalence and social significance. In addition, patients had a request for a separate specialist to deal with such intimate issues.
A consultation with a proctologist may be required for almost everyone. Every year, the number of people who turn to this specialist only increases.
Main pathologies
There are a number of diseases in the diagnosis and treatment of which the main specialist is a proctologist surgeon. Most often he has to deal with the following ailments:
- hemorrhoids;
- anal fissure;
- colon and rectum polyp;
- epithelial coccygeal passage;
- paraproctitis;
- colitis;
- dysbacteriosis;
- condylomatosis.
In addition, this doctor is involved in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of the anus, rectum and colon. In the future, he transfers patients with a similar pathology to an oncologist. All of these diseases are quite serious and can bring the patient not only subjective discomfort, but also quite specific harm.
Profession difficulty
This speci alty is not among the simplest ones. The fact is that in their professional activities, a proctologist surgeon often encounters certain difficulties.
The main ones are:
- High incidence of advanced disease at the first visit of the patient.
- Increased risk of facing litigation.
- Low level of prestige of the profession.
- Frequent refusal of patients to undergo certain examination methods.
To solve each of these problems, the proctologist surgeon must apply all his professionalism.
About neglected cases
There are few medical speci alties that deal with advanced cases as often as a proctologist. This state of affairs is due to the fact that patients consider diseases of the anus,rectum and colon shameful. As a result, while they can tolerate pain and other symptoms of such ailments, they do not seek help from specialists. When there is no longer an opportunity to endure suffering, only then patients with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, paraproctitis and even oncological diseases come to the appointment.
With early treatment, such a pathology is treated quite simply. In cases where the patient turns already at the later stages of the formation of diseases with complications, it is very difficult to help him conservatively. As a result, the proctologist surgeon is forced to perform surgery.
On Litigation Risks
Any doctor of this speci alty is subject to increased legal risks. This is due not only to the fact that he has to carry out surgical interventions, which in themselves are quite dangerous for patients. The fact is that in the process of performing his official duties, he has to use such research methods that affect the intimate sphere of human life. The vast majority of patients understand everything and are quite normal about such diagnostic procedures.
Sometimes people get an appointment with such a doctor, especially women, who perceive the examination as an increased interest of the doctor in their person, that is, they regard such a diagnosis as a banal sexual harassment.
In such proceedings, the doctor's nurse plays an invaluable role, whoacts as a witness.
Rejection of some survey methods
This problem is faced not only by a proctologist surgeon. Patients refuse methods of examination of the anus, rectum and colon quite often, especially men. This is due to the fact that for many, the conduct of such diagnostic procedures comes into conflict with certain principles and concepts. Most representatives of the strong half of humanity consider them shameful and unacceptable in relation to themselves.
Only an experienced, good proctologist can convince a person in this case, who will convey to the patient full information about the planned diagnostic studies, and also talk about the dangers of ignoring them for he alth.
Basic diagnostic measures
This doctor uses both general and special research methods to establish a diagnosis and determine the tactics of treating a patient. The list of specific diagnostic procedures includes the following:
- Digital examination of the rectum.
- Sigmoidoscopy.
- Colonoscopy.
- Fecal occult blood test.
In addition to these methods, others can be used, but it is these diagnostic procedures that help in establishing the diagnosis best.
Where can such a doctor work?
Not every clinic is able to include a specialist of this type in its staffing table. The proctologist most often works inspecialized he alth care facilities. Usually, both inpatient department and outpatient reception rooms function on their basis. There is also a mandatory laboratory and endoscopy rooms.
Proctology Center can be both public and private. At the same time, in the second case, doctors working there are more often limited to consultative appointments, as well as diagnostic manipulations. Inpatient care, involving the implementation of surgical interventions, is more often provided by the state proctology center.
How to prepare for your appointment?
Proctologist's consultation often flows smoothly into certain diagnostic measures. In this case, a digital examination of the rectum is almost always performed. In order for the consultation to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to follow some recommendations in advance. Preparation for a proctologist involves the following activities:
- Make the day before the appointment with the proctologist unloading.
- Perform a cleansing enema 4-6 hours before your appointment.
- Toilet the perineal area.
All these activities will significantly improve the accessibility of the rectum and colon for examination. If the patient knows that he will have such a procedure as a colonoscopy, then preparation for the proctologist will have to include the use of the Fortrans drug without fail. In total, a person will need 4 sachets of such a medicine. He needs three of them.use the day before the study. The fourth should be diluted in water and drunk in the morning. The colon is cleansed as a result of the use of such a drug, and the colonoscopy becomes more informative.
Basic treatment measures
Proctologist is a surgical specialist. As a result, in addition to prescribing conservative treatment, he also deals with surgical interventions. The large intestine is a rather complicated organ for surgical operation. To improve access to it, the doctor needs to use special tools to expand the patient's anus. This requires putting the patient under anesthesia.
Most often, the proctologist has to deal with hemorrhoids and chronic anal fissure. In the first case, the doctor needs to expand the patient's anus and remove varicose hemorrhoids. An anal fissure is treated by excision.
Recommendations from an expert
Patients rarely come to this doctor for a preventive examination. However, this specialist has a number of recommendations, the implementation of which will significantly reduce the likelihood of developing pathology of the anus, colon and rectum:
- First of all, such a doctor recommends visiting immediately after the appearance of the first unpleasant symptoms of diseases of the rectum and colon, as well as the anus. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of the need for surgery.operations.
- Children's proctologist surgeon urges parents to keep an eye on babies. If they have complaints of pain during bowel movements, it is better to immediately take them to a specialist.
- In addition, this doctor recommends eating enough fiber-rich foods. This significantly improves the functioning of the large intestine and reduces the likelihood of developing organ pathology.
- Patients with a tendency to constipation should also avoid pickles and preserves that have been prepared with vinegar. Such a product, with prolonged contact with the mucous wall of the large intestine, can cause the development of inflammatory diseases, and sometimes neoplasms.
Proctologists strongly recommend that the patient lead an active lifestyle. The fact is that hypodynamia causes congestion in the hemorrhoidal veins, causing their varicose expansion. In addition, the performance of the large intestine worsens. Normal physical activity involves at least 30 minutes of active walking at a pace of about 2 steps per second. It is highly desirable to do morning exercises and periodically interrupt for simple physical exercises if the work does not involve much activity
Who else can I contact?
In cases where it is not possible to visit such a specialist, you should consult a surgeon. This doctor has general knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the proctological profile. You can alsovisit a general practitioner and a local therapist. It is better to sign up for them when there is no opportunity to visit even a surgeon.
