Examination by a proctologist in men: when to see a doctor

Frequent constipation, painful sensations during bowel movements, the release of bloody masses from the anus - such symptoms are a good reason for consulting a specialist. Despite the delicacy of this manipulation, examination by a proctologist in men is a painless procedure.

Proctologist's area of ​​responsibility

A specialist in the field of coloproctology diagnoses and treats diseases of the anus, colon and perineum. This profession combines 2 areas: therapeutic and surgical.

The male version of the examination by the proctologist practically does not differ from the female version. The difference lies in the list of possible diseases. In addition to diseases inherent in both sexes, there are specific male ailments - prostate adenoma, for example.

The proctologist can identify the following pathologies:

• infectious diseases and oncology;
• anorectal anomalies;
• hemorrhoids;
• encopresis;
• proctalgia;
• cracks in the intestines;
• polyps;
• ulcerative formations;
• colitis;
• papillitis;
• intestinal lesions under the influence of helminths;
• foreign objects in the rectum;
• paraproctitis;
• anal fissures;
• cysts;
• dysbiosis;
• perianal warts.

Most of the listed ailments belong to a category dangerous to health. If you experience any discomfort in the anus, you must make an appointment with a doctor.

When should you contact a proctologist

Bowel diseases are difficult to treat, so you need to listen with special care to the signals of the body. A visit to a specialist is relevant when the following symptoms are found:

• periodic constipation and diarrhea;
• discomfort during bowel movement, which does not go away after the end of the process;
• purulent and bloody discharge from the anus;
• burning sensation in the anus;
• a feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the intestine;
• the appearance of hemorrhoidal cones;
• regular bloating of the abdominal cavity.

Such deviations are a good reason for undergoing a proctological examination.

For prevention purposes, patients who have reached the age of 40 should visit a proctologist at least 1 time per year. If there is a genetic predisposition to rectal tumors, it is recommended to be diagnosed every 6 months.

Preparation for inspection

Despite the prevailing point of view, a visit to the proctologist is a gentle and painless event. For the examination to go smoothly, you should tune in and prepare the intestines for this procedure.

Preparation is the most important stage of the inspection, affecting the accuracy of the data obtained. The main condition is the cleanliness of the colon. To do this, you need to carry out a number of manipulations:

1. 2 days before the visit to the doctor, you must strictly adhere to the diet. Prohibited are foods that contribute to the increased formation of gases: black bread, milk, legumes, raw vegetables, carbonated drinks. It is advisable to eat food exclusively in a liquid state, and refrain from taking any food on the day of intake.
2. To cleanse the intestines, you need to put 3 enemas filled with 2 liters of cool water: the first two - in the evening, on the eve of the visit to the doctor with an interval of 3 hours, and the last - in the morning, immediately before the visit. It is advisable to make an enema with an Esmarch mug, which is sold in any pharmacy.
3. If it is not possible to give an enema, you can use ready-made pharmacy microclysters, rectal suppositories or laxatives. They do not work as quickly as enemas, so you need to start cleansing the rectum 24 hours before the examination. With intestinal obstruction, the use of laxatives is contraindicated.

These manipulations will help the doctor establish the correct diagnosis.

Features of passing the examination

The consultation takes place in a proctology office equipped with diagnostic equipment, an examination chair and a couch.

The patient takes a position lying on his side with legs bent at the knees or lies on his back. Before performing an internal examination, the specialist performs anesthesia with gel or spray anesthetics.

Key inspection steps:

• collection of clarifying information - at what moment the first symptoms of the disease, hereditary diseases of the patient, and the previous operations were discovered;
• external examination of the perineal area and the surrounding area;
• finger examination of the anus;
• anoscopy;
• sigmoidoscopy.

If necessary, additional studies of the intestine are prescribed in the form of a colonoscopy and irrigography.

For the convenience of these procedures, it is recommended to wear disposable procto underwear to minimize the undressing process.

Table 1. Some of the most demanded examinations

Procedure	Description
Anoscopy	Examination of the anus, carried out at a depth of 15 cm using a small dilator. The patient lies on his side, pressing his knees to the abdomen, or on his back with the legs placed on a support.
Sigmoidoscopy	Examination of the rectum, with the immersion depth of the device up to 25 cm. It is carried out using a rectoscope - an endoscopic device, the main part of which is a metal probe equipped with a camera. The manipulation is carried out exclusively in the supine position with bent knees.

Both procedures last no more than 5 minutes and do not cause severe pain.

Features of anoscopy

Anoscopy is a method of instrumental examination of the anus and rectum using an anoscope placed in the anus. It makes it possible to examine up to 15 cm of the length of the intestine. Experts use both metal and plastic tools.

This procedure complements the digital examination and precedes sigmoidoscopy. There are practically no contraindications to this diagnosis. In the presence of a decrease in the lumen of the anus and rectum, strong inflammatory processes, tumors or hemorrhoidal cones, the use of this manipulation is undesirable.

Diagnostic importance of anoscopy:

1. Examination of hemorrhoids and identification of the stage of hemorrhoids. With this simple device, you can find out the location of the bumps, localize the inflammatory process and find the source of bleeding. For more information about this disease, read here.
2. Assessment of the condition of the mucous membrane of the anus, which makes it possible to identify inflammation, erosion and fissures of the rectum.
3. Diagnostics of unwanted neoplasms in the form of polyps and tumors.
4. The ability to collect material for cytological examination and biopsy of the mucous membrane for histological analysis.
5. Identification of pararectal fistulas.

The anoscope, treated with anesthetic gel, is inserted in a circular motion into the anus and, after removing the obturator, carefully withdrawn. Discomfort during this procedure can be caused by an uncomfortable body position and a feeling of embarrassment in the patient, given the delicacy of this examination. This method does not cause complications of the present diseases.

Features of rectoscopy

This manipulation is one of the most popular techniques for examining the anus. The examination is carried out using a rectoscope, carefully placed into the rectum through the anus.

The name of the procedure comes from the symbiosis of the Latin phrase "rectum" and the verb "to observe".

The rectoscope is a metal tube equipped with special flower growers and a lighting mechanism. Given the sanitization of this instrument, there is no risk of contracting infectious diseases. For the study, both rigid and flexible devices are used, allowing you to cover an area up to 25 cm deep, and, if necessary, examine the sigmoid part of the intestine.

Diagnostic importance of rectoscopy:

1. Sampling of material for biopsy.
2. Electrocoagulation of tissues and blood vessels in the presence of bleeding.
3. Extraction of foreign objects.
4. Deleting polyps.

Rectoscopy is often prescribed for a prophylactic examination of patients who have reached the age of 40.

In most cases, no pain relief is used to carry out this procedure. Patients with a low pain threshold are given local anesthesia. It is also recommended in case of anal fissures or damage to the anus. In some situations, intravenous anesthesia may be used.

The rectoscope tube is inserted into the anus after lubricating the anus with a special gel. To smooth out the folds of the rectal mucosa, air is supplied to the rectoscope tube. At this stage, the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the abdominal region is possible. The emerging urge to defecate is a natural state during the procedure. During the examination of the intestines, an electric pump is used, which is necessary to eliminate food processing products, blood masses and mucus. If the diagnosis delivers pronounced painful sensations, the procedure is stopped immediately.

Features of colonoscopy and irrigography

The goal of a colonoscopy is to carefully examine the colon.

The procedure is carried out by probing the intestine with a fiber-optic colonoscope. A thin cable equipped with a probe is gently inserted into the anus. In the presence of serious intestinal pathologies, anesthesia may be used. The type of anesthesia depends on the rules and capabilities of the hospital and the patient's condition. Both local anesthesia and sedation can be used.

The doctor carefully places the probe into the patient's anus. In this case, it is necessary to take a lying position and pull your legs to your stomach. The probe has a built-in microchamber and an air supply device. The latter mechanism is needed to smooth out the intestinal walls, which complicate the examination process. Air comes out of the rectum in a natural way, which requires some effort from the subject to relax. During this manipulation, the alignment of the intestinal area is sometimes applied, carried out with the help of a light massage of the abdomen.

Irrigography - radiation diagnosis of diseases of the colon using a special substance. Before starting the examination, the patient is given an enema containing a contrast barium suspension. This element makes it possible to see the outlines of the intestines due to its property to appear on X-rays. At the end of the diagnosis, most of the mixture leaves the body naturally.

In oncological examinations, this method is actively used to diagnose colorectal cancer. This method is not as informative as compared to colonoscopy, but it makes it possible to see the size of the tumor and the dynamics of the growth of the malignant formation.

Health should not be neglected because of the delicacy and specificity of these research methods. The proctologist's examination must be included in the mandatory list of offices for an annual medical examination. Timely detection of the disease will help prevent the occurrence of pathologies and will allow you to stay healthy and vigorous.

Video - How is the examination of the proctologist