COLORECTAL 

The colon and rectum are the last part of the food pipe that runs from the small intestine to the anus. The colon is about 5 to 6 feet long. The function of the colon is to absorb water and store the waste products of digestion until your body is ready to empty them out. 

The last 18-20 cm portion of the colon is called the rectum. At the bottom of the rectum are the sphincter muscles. These muscles prevent the rectum from emptying out accidentally. When the person is ready to have a bowel movement, the sphincter muscles relax and with straining the stool is able to be pushed out.

RECTAL DISEASES

The diseases of these parts of the body are treated medically and surgically by the COLORECTAL Surgeons.

Interestingly most people refer to all conditions of the Rectum as ’Piles’. Piles is a term understood differently by doctors and patients. On the other hand, to the doctor Piles is a medical term for Hemorrhoids.

Colon and disorders

The diseases of the colon can be due to infections, inflammations and cancers. The diseases of the colon are relatively more difficult to understand for patients as symptoms are subtle long standing and less frequently acute.

They more often cause prolonged suffering and loosely physicians and common people term them as ‘Colitis’.

These diseases need various expensive and invasive investigations for correct diagnosis. Most often the objective is to separate Cancers from Infections/Inflammations.

Colorectal surgeons treat Cancers and Inflammations with surgery.

SYMPTOMS

Any disturbance or abnormality in the colon, rectum and anus may result in any of the following symptoms:

• Rectal bleeding-with pain or without pain
• Anal pain and burning sensation
• Anal lumps and swellings
• Anal mucous discharge
• Anal pus discharge
• Itching
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Mucous or pus discharge
• Abdominal pain

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Piles or Haemorrhoids: Painless rectal bleeding with anal swelling that comes and goes or stays,

Anal fissure: Severe anal pain during defecation and burning sensation with some bleeding,

Anal fistula: Pus and blood discharge with pain, opening around anus

Anal abscess: Painful lump in anal area, fever,

Colitis: Loose stools, mucous, blood,

Colon & Rectal cancer: rectal bleeding, constipation, loose stools, anaemia, weight loss

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

If you have any of these diseases or symptoms, you need to see a specialist for further assessment and treatment. It may be difficult for you to ascertain the significance of the symptoms you are experiencing. The safest advice will be to report to your Specialist Colorectal Surgeon. He or she will be able to assess, examine and advice you accordingly.

Examination 

The Colorectal specialist must see you. After the discussion of symptoms and history Usually place you in a couch at a particular position (Sims position) and

1’ Look

2’ DRE or Digital Rectal examination or put a finger in your rectum

3. Proctoscopy/ Sigmoidoscopy

Colon and rectal diseases comprise a broad range of conditions and ailments, the severity of which can vary from mildly irritating to life threatening. Research has demonstrated that early screening and treatment of colon and rectal diseases can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. Studies have shown that patients treated by colon and rectal surgeons are more likely to survive colorectal cancer and will pay less for surgical care because of colon and rectal surgeons’ advanced training and the high volume of colon and rectal disease surgeries they perform.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT

Never ignore symptoms as PILES

Never indulge in self treatment and diagnosis

Avoid Quackery

Avoid nonconforming therapy and home remedies