This is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing, treating and managing disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. Proctology is also known as colorectal surgery. Medical doctors who practice proctology are known as proctologists. A proctoscope is an instrument that is a hollow metal tube that is short, straight and rigid.
Common disorders diagnosed by proctologists include:
Hemorrhoids: These are inflamed or enlarged veins near the anal and rectal area of the body, which may cause bleeding and pain when having bowel movements.
Anal Fissures: These are tears, cracks or rips in anal tissue due to overuse of the colorectal area, hardened stool or external causes.
Fistulas: These are abnormal tissue passageways or connections between rectal tissue and anal tissue.
Fecal Incontinence: This is the inability to control bowel movements.
Rectal Prolapse: This is a malfunction of rectal tissue which causes protrusion of the rectum through the anus.
Imperforate Anus: A birth defect characterized by a malformed anus in babies.
Chronic disorders:
Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Rectal Cancer,
Anal Cancer,
Colon Cancer. Anal Injury.
Foreign Objects in the colon, anus or rectum.
Severe constipation