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Coloproctologist

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

A coloproctologist is directly connected with the medical science of “coloproctology”, which studies various diseases of the rectum and colon, as well as the development of effective methods for their diagnosis, optimal treatment and prevention.

Many have heard of a proctologist, but who is a coloproctologist? It should be noted that this is the same medical specialty. A coloproctologist is a medical specialist whose activities are aimed at diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases of the colon and anal canal: anal fissures, hemorrhoids, rectal fistulas, paraproctitis, colon polyps, colon tumors and other unpleasant diseases. Patients who have problems with defecation or irritable bowel syndrome also often turn to this specialist.

The main task of a proctologist is to diagnose a colon disease and then conduct a preventive examination program. Based on the results of the examinations, the doctor draws up the most optimal treatment plan for the disease identified.

Naturally, when solving such delicate problems, every person wants to be sure of a successful outcome of treatment, so it is so important to contact an experienced specialist and trust him.

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When should you see a proctologist?

A proctologist specializes in diagnosing and treating various diseases of the colon. He uses the latest methods of disease detection and practices methods of constructive and surgical treatment of patients.

Many people are interested in the question of when to see a proctologist? First of all, this should be done when unpleasant symptoms such as pain, itching, or a feeling of a foreign body in the anus appear. It is also worth paying attention to symptoms such as the release of mucus from the anal canal, as well as blood and pus. Frequent constipation, diarrhea, bloating, problems with defecation (a feeling of incomplete emptying, false urges) are also a reason to see a specialist.

To diagnose a particular disease, the doctor first uses a digital rectal examination, and then connects other methods of examination (ultrasound of the abdominal organs, endoscopy, colonoscopy, anoscopy, laboratory analysis of feces, etc.). The proctologist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis when all the necessary examination results are received. Then he prescribes the appropriate treatment for the patient - conservative or surgical.

What tests should you take when visiting a proctologist?

To treat a particular disease, a proctologist must first establish an accurate diagnosis. There are often cases when the symptoms of various colon diseases are blurred or observed periodically. The patient cannot describe the nature of the pain and does not know which medical specialist to contact with a particular problem. In order for the picture of the disease development to be clearer and more open, the doctor must be guided by the results of the research.

What tests should be taken when visiting a proctologist? Usually, the doctor himself determines the types of tests and medical examinations for a particular patient, based on the specific situation. These can be bacteriological, biochemical, cytological tests, as well as a test for tumor markers. Often, the patient needs to undergo several studies and take a set of laboratory tests so that the picture of the course of the disease becomes clearer, and the doctor can make the most accurate analysis.

In addition to a general blood test, which indicates the condition of the patient's body as a whole, a proctologist may also prescribe a biochemical blood test, which gives a more accurate idea of the disorders in the functioning of internal organs.

Among the possible types of urine analysis in this case, the following options are possible:

  • general urine analysis,
  • urine analysis for daily proteinuria;
  • urine analysis according to Nechiporenko;
  • urine analysis according to Zemnitsky;
  • urine test for ketones.

In addition, other tests may be needed to diagnose the disease, which will help determine the presence of infection, parasites or any pathologies in the large intestine:

  • coprogram;
  • scraping for enterobiasis;
  • stool analysis for the presence of helminth eggs;
  • stool test for occult blood, etc.

These types of analyses allow us to give an accurate idea of the course of the disease and promptly identify pathological processes occurring in the patient's body. Thus, the doctor will be able to prescribe the most effective treatment aimed at the patient's recovery. If surgery is necessary, preoperative measures will be taken, and the patient's recovery period after surgery will be under the supervision of a proctologist.

What diagnostic methods does a proctologist use?

A proctologist specializes in all types of diseases associated with disorders of the colon. In order to diagnose the disease with maximum accuracy, he must use various methods of examining the patient. First of all, the patient must undergo laboratory tests (blood, urine and feces) to determine the general condition of the body and the presence of possible disorders in the functioning of the internal organs.

What diagnostic methods does a proctologist use? At the first appointment, the doctor usually performs a visual examination of the patient, and also palpates the rectum. Then he can prescribe a number of additional studies, such as ultrasound of the abdominal organs, X-ray examination of the large intestine (irrigoscopy, fistulography, parietography lymphography), biopsy, sphincterometry.

In addition, the patient needs to take stool tests for pinworms, occult blood, and dysbacteriosis. In some cases, DNA diagnostics are necessary.

Among the endoscopic methods used by a proctologist to examine a patient, one can note anoscopy - examination of the rectum and anal canal; colonoscopy or colonofibroscopy (examination of the large intestine), as well as rectoscopy (examination of the rectum, as well as the distal sigmoid colon). Endoscopic examination makes it possible to take a tissue sample for subsequent microscopic examination for the purpose of further diagnosis.

It should be noted that some diagnostic methods used in the practice of a proctologist have contraindications. Thus, colonoscopy cannot be performed in acute forms of colitis, peritonitis, infectious lesions, cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency.

What does a proctologist do?

A coloproctologist is a specialist who has a range of medical knowledge in the field of coloproctology and is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of colon diseases using effective research methods.

What does a proctologist do? First of all, identifying diseases associated with problems with defecation, pain in the rectum, symptoms indicating disorders of the colon function. This doctor prescribes treatment for the diagnosed disease, and also performs surgical operations associated with the removal of hemorrhoids, treatment of fistulas of the rectum, diverticular disease and its complications, paraproctitis (in acute and chronic forms), anal fissures, etc.

The diagnostic methods used by a proctologist are aimed at identifying nonspecific ulcerative colitis, intestinal dysbacteriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, epithelial coccygeal tract, Crohn's disease, perianal condylomas, as well as polyps and colon cancer, constipation and a number of other ailments.

Before prescribing treatment, the proctologist draws up a special plan for examining the patient, taking into account the patient's age, the nature of the pathological process, the presence of concomitant diseases and choosing the most rational methods for diagnosing the disease in the shortest possible time. Based on the information received, the doctor gives recommendations for both conservative and surgical treatment, carries out the necessary preoperative preparation of the patient, performs surgical operations or takes direct part in them, and then monitors the condition of his patient in the postoperative period (post-surgical rehabilitation).

The competence of a proctologist includes solving organizational issues on providing effective assistance to proctological patients, stage-by-stage implementation of relevant measures; providing advisory support in the departments of a medical institution, as well as carrying out measures aimed at the timely detection of proctological diseases and their prevention. A proctologist also participates in organizing and holding scientific and practical conferences, lectures and medical seminars devoted to current problems of modern proctology.

What diseases does a proctologist treat?

The proctologist uses modern diagnostic methods in his practice to quickly identify the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment to eliminate it. The entire range of diagnostics necessary in a particular case (laboratory and instrumental) is usually carried out within 1-2 days.

Thanks to the selection of the least painful and at the same time most effective methods by an experienced specialist, the duration of the patient's treatment in the hospital is usually no more than 3 days. After the treatment, rehabilitation measures and subsequent monitoring of the patient's health are carried out. It can be said that the proctologist supervises the patient at all stages of treatment.

What diseases does a proctologist treat? These are almost all diseases associated with disorders in the functioning of the large intestine, as well as problems with defecation, dysfunction of the anus and rectum. Among the most common diseases of this type, the following can be noted:

  • anal itching and anal fissures;
  • dysbacteriosis, hemorrhoids;
  • irritable bowel syndrome;
  • anal sphincter insufficiency;
  • cholelithiasis and colitis (ischemic, ulcerative);
  • acute paraproctitis;
  • rectocele;
  • diffuse polyposis, polyps of the colon and rectum;
  • pararectal cysts, fistulas;
  • anal stricture;
  • cryptitis and papillitis;
  • inflammation of the epithelial coccygeal passage;
  • diverticular disease;
  • pointed perianal condylomas;
  • Crohn's disease;
  • benign and malignant tumors of the colon.

This is not a complete list of pathological conditions and diseases that a proctologist's actions are aimed at treating. In any case, at the first symptoms of any disease, it is necessary to contact an experienced specialist as soon as possible to avoid negative complications.

Advice from a proctologist

A proctologist occupies a special place in medicine, since his task is to examine and treat patients with very delicate problems, which many prefer to keep silent about and postpone their solution. But at the initial stages of the development of colon diseases, much better treatment results can be achieved than in advanced cases, when surgical intervention is no longer possible.

The advice of a proctologist concerns, first of all, preventive measures that allow you to avoid the disease. The fact is that at first, most diseases of the colon are asymptomatic, have a hidden nature or "blurred" symptoms. Therefore, they are not taken seriously, and only after a certain time do they begin to progress and lead to an increase in signs indicating major health problems. In such cases, self-medication can cause irreversible consequences, so at the slightest suspicion of the development of the disease, you must contact an experienced proctologist, who is obliged to provide qualified assistance in any situation, no matter how difficult it may be.

Nowadays, hemorrhoids are a very common disease. They are provoked by stagnation in the rectum. Doctors recommend that you should never hold back when you want to go to the toilet. To prevent this disease, you should empty your bowels regularly. The optimal time to do this is in the morning. To speed up the process, it is recommended to drink a glass of cold water after waking up to "wake up" the intestines. During defecation, you should not be distracted by any other activity, for example, reading newspapers. There is no need to rush, the process of emptying should take place in a calm environment.

Proper nutrition is the key to a healthy intestine. Make sure that your diet contains enough fiber. It is found in whole grain bread, bran, fruits and vegetables, nuts, and fresh herbs. It is also necessary to monitor your diet and control the process of daily bowel movements. If constipation occurs, you can use natural ingredients that help "relax" the intestines - buckthorn or senna. Laxatives that contain "chemical" components should be used as a last resort.

In order to strengthen the abdominal muscles, experts recommend using a set of specially designed exercises aimed at preventing hemorrhoids, as well as normalizing blood circulation in the pelvis:

  • While standing with your legs crossed, you need to rhythmically squeeze and unclench the muscles of your buttocks, and at the same time, your anus (20 times).
  • Lie on your back, then press your legs tightly to your stomach and lower them down with your knees bent (15-20 times).
  • In the supine position, it is recommended to alternately raise and slowly lower straight legs; this exercise can be supplemented with movements that imitate riding a bicycle. In the same position, it is recommended to alternately cross your legs like scissors (15-20 times).

It should be noted that strength training will not be beneficial in this case. Cycling and horse riding are also contraindicated.

A proctologist is obliged to provide highly qualified medical care to his patients, but if you help your body in time, without starting the development of the disease, then a visit to the doctor can be avoided. In this case, it is preventive measures that become a real salvation from various kinds of ailments related to pathologies and disorders in the intestines.

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