A proctologist (now called a colon and rectal surgeon or a colorectal surgeon) may be a medical doctor who focuses on diseases and conditions of the lower alimentary canal, which incorporates the anus, rectum, and colon. These physicians have general surgical training but even have more specialized education within the sorts of complex surgery that are wont to treat diseases and conditions of the lower alimentary canal.

Disorders that a colorectal surgeon may treat include hemorrhoids, abscesses, anal fissures, pelvic floor conditions, and carcinoma. they'll perform tests like colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, which are done to screen for colon and rectal cancer. A colorectal surgeon may go alongside others on a health care team, like a gastroenterologist, a medical care physician, or an oncologist to manage conditions within the lower alimentary canal.

Concentrations

A colorectal surgeon treats conditions that affect the lower alimentary canal and also could be specialized in procedures like colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, which are wont to screen for carcinoma or diagnose other conditions. As a surgeon, they're different from a gastroenterologist, which may be a medical doctor that treats diseases and conditions medically and doesn't perform surgery.

The parts of the body during which a colorectal surgeon has particular training are located within the last a part of the alimentary canal. This includes the massive intestine, the anus, and therefore the rectum. These parts (along with the cecum, which is that the connection point between the massive and little intestines) are collectively mentioned because the colon.

There are four parts to the colon: colon, colon, colon, and sigmoid flexure. The colon is on the proper side of the abdomen and is that the first section after the cecum. The colon then features a become the colon which matches across the abdomen from right to left. Next is another become the colon which matches down the left side of the abdomen. The last part is that the sigmoid flexure, which curves right down to the rectum.

The rectum is found between the massive intestine and therefore the anus and is that the last a part of the colon. it's a tube that’s where stool is held until it's able to leave the body. The rectum can stretch, to a degree, because of the elastic muscles that line it. The muscles are what helps the rectum to carry differing amounts of stool before a movement.

The anus may be a group of muscles that form a sphincter (a circle). The sphincter ani muscles hold stool in until it’s time to possess a movement. At that point, the muscles release their tension and open up to permit stool to pass out of the body.

There is a good range of disorders that a colorectal surgeon is trained in managing and treating.

Anal fissures. An anal fissure may be a tear within the anal canal which will be painful and cause symptoms like itching and bright red blood within the stool. a number of the conditions that are related to anal fissures are constipation, hypothyroidism, and obesity. Many fissures may heal with medical treatment which will be done reception and supportive care but others may have surgery to treat them.

Anal warts. Anal warts are growths that occur on an indoor the anal canal. they're caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is usually transmitted via sexual activity but infection can occur in other ways, as well. Anal warts may start small and grow larger over time. Removal is often through with a spread of methods, including cryotherapy, electrocautery, or laser treatments.

Blood within the stool. Blood in or on the stool or black, tarry stool isn't normal; they're signs that there's a drag that must be addressed. A colorectal surgeon can help determine what's causing the bleeding. While hemorrhoids are common and that they do bleed, they ought to still be checked out by a physician on the prospect that there's another cause for rectal bleeding. it's not safe to assume the bleeding is from hemorrhoids, albeit they need to be a drag within the past.

Colon polyps. Polyps are growths that occur within the lining of the rectum and therefore the colon. Polyps may grow larger over time and cause the event of carcinoma. they'll cause bleeding and once they become large there might be symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, but in most cases, they cause no symptoms in the least. Removing polyps, which may be done during a colonoscopy, prevents them from growing and from becoming cancerous.

Colorectal cancer. Cancer within the colon and rectum starts as a polyp. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include age (over 50 years), a case history of the disease, or having an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Colon and rectal surgeons are trained in conducting colorectal cancer screening (such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy) also because of the differing types of surgery which will be wont to treat this disease.

Constipation. Passing hard stools or only getting to the toilet infrequently features a sort of causes. In most cases, it is often treated with changes in diet and lifestyle but a colorectal surgeon can help evaluate constipation and determine if there's a more serious cause.

Diarrhea. There are many causes of loose stools and it often goes away on its own. except for chronic, persistent diarrhea, it'd be necessary to ascertain m within the colon to see if there's something there that's causing diarrhea.

Diverticular disease. About half people over the age of 60 have outpouchings in their colon which are called diverticula. In most cases, they are doing not cause any symptoms but in some people they will become inflamed and cause symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, fever, or vomiting.

Fistulas. A fistula is an abnormal connection (somewhat sort of a tunnel) between two body structures. If a fistula occurs within the lower alimentary canal (such as between the colon and therefore the vagina), a colorectal surgeon could also be consulted for treatment.

Hemorrhoids. A swollen vein within the anal canal or the rectum can cause pain, itching, and bleeding. Often, hemorrhoids are treated with at-home measures but sometimes there’s a requirement for a colorectal surgeon to gauge them and prescribe other treatment measures, including surgery.

Incontinence. Losing control of bowel movements or stool leaking from the anus may be a common problem that will negatively affect the quality of life. A colorectal surgeon may order various tests to work out the explanation for fecal incontinence to prescribe the proper treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease, colitis, and indeterminate colitis may affect various parts of the alimentary canal. A gastroenterologist will manage these conditions medically, sometimes in conjunction with a colorectal surgeon who has special training within the surgeries that are done to treat these conditions.

Rectal prolapse. A rectal prolapse is when the rectum extends outside of the anus. this is often more common in older people and women after having a baby, and symptoms can include bleeding from the rectum and tissue which will be seen/felt outside of the anus.

Rectocele. A rectocele may be a condition that happens when the layer of tissue between the rectum and therefore the vagina weakens. This causes the rectum to increase and push into the rear wall of the vagina. A rectocele often causes no symptoms but can also be related to constipation, pain within the rectum, incontinence, painful intercourse, and vaginal bleeding. In many cases, changes to diet and therapy like biofeedback may help with symptoms except for others, surgery could also be used.

Procedural Expertise

A colorectal surgeon also has specialized training in doing certain sorts of endoscopy procedures and surgeries. An endoscopy may be a sort of procedure that's done to seem inside an indoor organ like the colon, the vagina, or the bladder. A colorectal surgeon may perform a spread of procedures to diagnose or evaluate conditions that affect the lower alimentary canal.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy, which is that the test that's done to seem inside the anus, rectum, and enormous intestine, is completed for a spread of reasons. it's going to be wont to screen for colon and rectal cancer, to seem for the explanation for symptoms like bleeding from the rectum, or as a part of the continued management of IBD.

Sigmoidoscopy

A sigmoidoscopy is employed to seem inside the last section of the massive intestine, the sigmoid flexure. This test could also be wont to screen for carcinoma or to gauge hemorrhoids or other conditions which will affect that section of the colon.

Why Would a Sigmoidoscopy Be Recommended by a Doctor?
Colon and rectal surgeons also perform several different types of specialized operations on the colon, rectum, and anus. There is a spread of surgeries during which these physicians are trained.

Hemorrhoid Surgery

In some cases, hemorrhoids don’t answer care reception and need surgery. Hemorrhoids could be removed through elastic band ligation, laser coagulation, or hemorrhoidectomy.

Fistula Surgery

Fistulas could be opened through specialized surgery, either a fistulotomy or fistulectomy, to market healing. Laser coagulation may additionally be wont to treat fistulas.

Ostomy Surgery

Colon and rectal surgeons will complete ileostomy and colostomy surgery, during which part or all of the colon is removed (a colectomy) and a stoma is made.

Polypectomy

Polyps are often removed during a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy, to stop them from growing into cancer.

Resection Surgery

Resection surgery to get rid of a neighborhood of the tiny or the massive intestine could also be done to treat colorectal cancer or Crohn’s disease.

Training and Certification

A colorectal surgeon is experienced generally surgery for all parts of the alimentary canal on the other hand goes on to receive further training for the lower alimentary canal. Education for this specialty begins with four years in an undergraduate program then four more years in an accredited medical program. subsequent step may be a surgical residency, which maybe five or six years long. then, there are one or two more years of specialized training in colon and rectal surgery.

Colon and rectal surgery is already a sub-specialty but some surgeons can also learn to perform certain procedures that are done less commonly and thus become more well-versed in those.

After about 14 years of upper education, a colon and rectal surgeon may apply for board certification. These physicians are certified by the American Board of Surgery and therefore the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and should be members of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and therefore the American College of Surgeons.

Appointment Tips

A colorectal surgeon may be a specialist and thus some insurance carriers may require a referral from an internist, medical care physician, or gastroenterologist before making a meeting. A call to your insurance firm (the number is going to be on the rear of your insurance card) can help in determining if a referral is important. In some cases, a referral from a physician at a prompt care or walk-in medical office could also be acceptable.

Also, some colorectal surgeons will invite a referral before seeing new patients. they'll also want the medical records from the first care provider or another physician (such as a gynecologist or gastroenterologist) that's making the referral. it's going to take time and some other phone calls to urge referrals and to urge records transferred, which may be frustrating. However, seeing a specialist for problems within the lower alimentary canal is vital in getting a diagnosis then appropriate treatment.

Insurance carriers can also be helpful to find a colorectal surgeon that's in-network. Physician finders at The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, and therefore the American College of Surgeons also provide physician locator services that will help find a surgeon.

Having a requirement to ascertain a colon and rectal surgeon may mention many emotions. Some people may find it embarrassing to speak about the issues within the lower gastrointestinal system. it's going to help to recollect that physicians who concentrate on conditions that affect the colon, rectum, and anus have chosen to figure during this field and have an interest in helping their patients receive a diagnosis and treatment. They see patients a day with similar issues, whether it's bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence. they're cognizant that their patients may feel reticent to speak about bathroom problems and it's going to help in acknowledging during the appointment that it's a sensitive issue to debate openly. Being open about and telling the surgeon all the symptoms that are occurring will help in going to the source of the matter and receiving the care that’s needed.