6 questions about proctologist appointments that many people hesitate to ask. Answered by a doctor

Head of the Department of Abdominal Oncology and Coloproctology at MSU University Hospital

“A proctologist is not a specialist to whom patients go willingly. They are at the mercy of myths, fears and misconceptions, because of which they imagine proctologic examination differently than it actually happens. I will answer the most uncomfortable questions about seeing such a specialist”.

Even in the presence of obvious problems, many patients try to postpone the visit, hoping that unpleasant symptoms will disappear or subside. However, in most cases, the situation only worsens, and a visit to the proctologist becomes inevitable.

Will it hurt?

Painful sensations that the patient experiences during the examination are almost reduced to zero. An experienced specialist conducts rectal examination gently and delicately, without using any scary instruments. The maximum he can use is a small and compact rectal mirror.

Unpleasant sensations are more due to psychological discomfort. A person who is tense is more difficult to examine than one who is relaxed and trusts the doctor.

In case of really severe pain, it is not necessary to tolerate it – the patient must be sure to tell the doctor about it. If necessary, he will use local anesthesia.

What will the doctor think of me?

The doctor-proctologist will definitely not be surprised that the patient turned to him with proctologic problems. Do not be afraid to go to such a specialist with “delicate” symptoms – blood during defecation, pain, strange seals “there” and other manifestations that have not bothered before. On the contrary – if they appear, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible.

Proctologist for many years received education and advanced training specifically to learn how to cope with such problems. He will not identify the symptoms that appear in the patient with his personality, lifestyle, habits. The doctor’s job is to help the patient, not to evaluate.

Will I have to undress?

Yes, you will have to undress – remove all clothing below the waist. In order to make the examination more comfortable, patients may be given special disposable underwear with slits in the right places – this will at least partially remove the shyness and tension.

Maybe it is better to treat with folk remedies?

So far, official medicine does not know a single effective folk way of treating proctological problems, in particular, hemorrhoids, cancer, fistulas. I assure you that if such methods existed, we would definitely use them in our medical practice.

Neither potato suppositories, nor any home-made compositions do not help, and therefore do not waste time on such “therapy”.

Because of the use of folk methods, patients simply waste time, their problem does not disappear anywhere, but only worsens – complications develop, which are more difficult, longer and more expensive to fight.

Will my hemorrhoids turn into cancer?

Hemorrhoids can significantly reduce your quality of life. It is an unpleasant but not fatal disease. It never develops into cancer. But this does not mean that the signs of the disease should be ignored and tolerated – today medicine has learned to cope with this problem, returning comfort to patients.

It is important to remember that many unpleasant symptoms – pain, the appearance of blood, itching – are characteristic not only for hemorrhoids, but also for other proctological problems, that is, a more serious disease can mimic it. This means that their appearance is a reason to go to the doctor, who will help to find out what is the cause of discomfort.

Why go to a proctologist if I don’t have any pain?

People do not want to go to a proctologist even if there are obvious problems, and about going for a preventive examination, many do not want to even hear. However, after the age of 45, any person, even if there are no complaints, should go to see this specialist and/or undergo a colonoscopy. This study is the “gold” standard of diagnostic examination of the intestines.

In the case that no dangerous findings will not be found and in the family history of the subject was not oncological precedents, repeat the colonoscopy will be necessary only after five years. If the doctor finds something suspicious, he himself will set the “schedule” of the next examinations.

Colonoscopy, which today in most cases is carried out under sedation (medication sleep) – a comfortable and virtually risk-free procedure, the benefits of which far exceed the possible health risks. That is why you should not neglect it, as well as refuse to visit a proctologist because of misconceptions and unsubstantiated fears.