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Rectal prolapse
Clinical manifestations of rectal prolapse
The clinical manifestations of rectal prolapse mainly involve the contents within the anal canal, especially the prolapse of the rectal mucosa outside the anus, which is most common. Severe cases of rectal prolapse may lead to a cylindrical or conical prolapse. The common type of rectal prolapse mainly refers to rectal prolapse, but there can also be internal prolapse of the rectal mucosa. Internal prolapse of the rectal mucosa is characterized by excessive relaxation and accumulation of the rectal mucosa at the anus, causing symptoms such as a sense of blockage, downward pressure, and obstruction during bowel movements. This can be definitively diagnosed through an anal examination and defecography. Regardless of whether it is internal prolapse of the rectal mucosa or rectal prolapse, when the disease progresses to a severe degree affecting the patient's normal life, surgical treatment is recommended.
Which department to consult for rectal prolapse?
Rectal prolapse is generally divided into internal mucosal prolapse and external prolapse. External mucosal prolapse is commonly known as rectal prolapse, which falls under the category of proctological diseases. Therefore, patients who suspect they have rectal prolapse should promptly visit a proctology department for relevant examinations and treatment. The examination and diagnosis of rectal prolapse mainly involve digital rectal examination, anoscopy, and defecography to confirm the diagnosis. Especially for internal mucosal prolapse, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, defecography is necessary for differentiation. In cases of rectal prolapse, one can generally see a ring-like protrusion outside the anus, and in severe cases, there may be conical or cylindrical prolapse. Regardless of whether it is internal mucosal prolapse or rectal prolapse, surgical treatment is necessary.
Can rectal prolapse heal itself?
Rectal mucosal prolapse primarily refers to a condition where the rectal mucosa becomes excessively relaxed, accumulates near the anus, and presents symptoms such as a distinct feeling of fullness and downward pressure at the anal area. Sometimes, the prolapsed mucosa may congest the anal opening, causing difficulty in defecation or even constipation. Rectal mucosal prolapse cannot heal completely on its own. Treatment options include medication to alleviate symptoms or surgery to remove the prolapsed mucosa. Patients with rectal mucosal prolapse should avoid straining excessively during bowel movements. If constipation occurs, patients should not strain too hard and may use enemas to assist with bowel movements.
Can you eat pork with rectal prolapse?
Patients with rectal prolapse can eat pork. Rectal prolapse is common in patients who have had chronic constipation or are physically weak. Therefore, to avoid constipation and excessive straining during bowel movements, it is recommended that patients with rectal prolapse maintain a diet that is light and bland. They should avoid spicy foods such as chili peppers and seafood, as well as foods that are hard in texture, to prevent stools from becoming too dry and necessitating excessive straining, which can worsen the prolapse or even lead to complete rectal prolapse. To prevent the recurrence of constipation or excessive straining during bowel movements, it is advisable to consume more liquid foods, as well as light vegetables and fruits. Moreover, if the condition frequently recurs or clearly leads to complete rectal prolapse, it is recommended that patients undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.
Can people with rectal prolapse eat beef?
Patients with rectal prolapse can eat beef, but it is not recommended to consume it in excess, as eating too much beef may lead to dry stools or a high fiber content in the feces, making it difficult to expel and potentially worsening the severity of the rectal prolapse. The diet for patients with rectal prolapse should mainly be light, including liquid or easily digestible foods, and avoid spicy foods like chili peppers and seafood or foods with a hard texture. In addition to dietary considerations, patients with rectal prolapse also need treatment to relieve symptoms or cure the condition. Options include traditional Chinese medicine enemas that preserve the function or oral medications that supplement and boost vital energy, as well as surgery to remove the prolapsed rectal mucosa.
Can you eat black fish with rectal prolapse?
Patients with rectal prolapse are advised not to consume seafood, lamb, and other stimulating foods for long periods or in excessive amounts. Overconsumption of lamb, seafood, or spicy and stimulating foods can easily lead to dry stools. When stools are dry, patients will involuntarily strain during bowel movements, which can worsen the rectal prolapse. In addition to needing a light and liquid diet, patients with rectal prolapse require prompt treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and delaying the disease. The primary treatment method is surgical removal combined with local sclerosing agent injection therapy. After surgery, it is important for patients to avoid squatting or excessive physical exercise for up to six months to prevent episodes of rectal prolapse.
The difference between rectal prolapse and external hemorrhoids.
Rectal prolapse is the protrusion of the rectal mucosa, which manifests as an eversion of the mucosa presenting as pink-colored, cylindrical protrusions. These can usually be manually repositioned back into the anus, appearing smooth once repositioned. In contrast, external hemorrhoids are mostly caused by varicosities and are the same color as the skin. They cannot be completely repositioned manually, which distinguishes them from rectal prolapse.
Can rectal prolapse cause rectal bleeding?
If it is a recurrent case of rectal prolapse, as the prolapsed mucosa appears at the anus and rubs against it repeatedly when the patient walks or moves, it can lead to mucosal rupture and bleeding. Therefore, in severe cases of rectal prolapse or when a complete prolapse occurs, there might be bleeding during defecation. The diagnosis of rectal prolapse requires an examination with an anoscope and defecography to make a definitive diagnosis. For mild rectal prolapse, one can treat it with oral medications that supplement and boost the body's vital energy, and this can be supplemented with herbal enemas. For severe cases of internal mucosal rectal prolapse or complete mucosal prolapse, it is advisable to undergo surgical removal of the excess mucosa through excision or suturing. This surgery can alleviate symptoms of discomfort and prevent other complications.
Can glycerin suppositories be used for rectal prolapse?
If a patient experiences difficulty in defecation or constipation due to rectal prolapse, enemas can be used to help facilitate bowel movements. The basic principle behind the defecation difficulties caused by rectal prolapse is due to the prolapsed, lax mucosa blocking the anal opening, preventing normal excretion of stool. Alternatively, when excretion does occur, it may be impeded by the mucosal obstruction, obstructing the normal passage of feces. Therefore, besides using enemas to address difficulty in defection and bowel movement, it is more necessary to surgically remove the lax mucosa to achieve a fundamental treatment. The use of enemas alone can only provide temporary relief of symptoms and does not address the root cause of the problem. For rectal mucosal prolapse, a stapled hemorrhoidopexy can be performed to surgically remove the prolapsed mucosa.
Can you do yoga with rectal prolapse?
Patients with rectal prolapse can engage in moderate exercise, but it is not recommended to perform exercises that involve significant abdominal strength or squatting movements. This is because excessive abdominal pressure or overexertion can increase intra-abdominal pressure, compressing the mucosa and tissue around the anus, thereby worsening the prolapse. If squatting exercises are performed over a long period, it could further aggravate the degree of rectal mucosal prolapse. Hence, patients with rectal prolapse may opt for gentler exercises like yoga, ensuring that the movements and methods do not exacerbate the condition of the rectal mucosa. Patients with rectal prolapse should seek surgical treatment as soon as possible, where the prolapsed mucosa is completely excised for recovery.