What is coloproctology and which diseases does it treat? We explain it to you!

The human body is composed of 78 organs The heart is the main organ that performs a specific function to keep us alive and healthy; and when one of them presents failures or alterations, there are specialties that are in charge of watching over the health of each one of them, for example, the cardiologist, expert in the anatomy and physiology of the heart.

However, if you are asked what is coloproctology, do you know the answer? In this blog you will learn what it is, what it consists of and what diseases it covers

Understanding coloproctology
In accordance with the European Union of Medical SpecialistsColoproctology is the surgical subspecialty that deals with the investigation, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon, rectum and anus”. So, when there is pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, the coloproctologist is the right professional to perform an assessment and rule out problems or diseases that are affecting them.

Now, if you are wondering how to know when to consult with oneIn the following we explain the most common symptoms that will indicate this:

• Persistent anal or rectal pain: in case of pain in the anus or rectum that does not go away or worsens over time.

• Rectal bleeding: Various medical conditions can cause rectal bleeding, so the cause needs to be investigated by a specialist in coloproctology.

• Changes in bowel habits: if you have significant changes such as chronic diarrhea, persistent constipation or fecal incontinence.

• Family history of digestive diseases: When there is a family history of diseases such as colorectal cancer, the physician may recommend periodic consultations with a colorectal physician for screening and prevention purposes.

• Suspected colorectal disease: Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, anemia or persistent abdominal pain may be signs of colorectal disease.

Remember: you must be aware of the signals your body sends, do not ignore or underestimate them, early detection is vital for the prognosis to be favorable and the treatment to respond much better.

With the above in mind, you will see that coloproctology is a branch of medicine essential for all internal processes occurring in the colon, rectum and anus, for example, the expulsion of stool. Therefore, when you experience difficulty or pain in passing stool for a considerable amount of time, a coloproctologist can help you relieve your condition.

Now that you know more about this specialty and the symptoms to watch out for, we share with you some of the diseases it focuses on to provide surgical and non-surgical treatment:

• Hemorrhoids: inflammation of the blood vessels in the anus can cause pain, itching and bleeding.

• Anal fissure: a painful crack in the skin of the anus that makes it difficult to have a bowel movement. Learn more about this condition here.

• Colorectal polyps: abnormal growths in the colon or rectum that may be benign or cancerous.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): includes conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Colorectal cancer: afecta al colon o al recto y se beneficia con una detección y tratamiento tempranos.

• Fecal incontinence: inability to control defecation, which can be debilitating and affect quality of life.

• Chronic constipation:The persistent difficulty defecating may be an underlying cause that requires special attention.

In the Institute of Coloproctology we have a wide variety of services for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. In addition, the combination of our human team with state-of-the-art technology allows us to provide specialized care, with the objective of improving the quality of life of all our patients.