Rectal Prolapse: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Causes of Prolapse
Several factors collectively contribute to the development of rectal prolapse; however, no sole cause is identified till now. Excessive straining during bowel movements and chronic constipation are the major causes of prolapse. Ageing and pregnancy are few prime causes of rectal prolapse. Pelvic floor dysfunctioning, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse are some of the rare causes of this disease. In rare cases, this disease can be either caused by birth or genetic defects.
Symptoms of Prolapse
€ Bleeding and mucus discharge from the anus
€ Protrusion of the rectum through the anus
€ Extreme pain and discomfort within the lower abdomen
€ Difficulty in passing stools
€ Frequent constipation
€ Stool incontinence
A patient suffering from prolapse always feels that the rectum is full even after bowel movements.
Tests for Diagnosing Prolapse
Diagnosing prolapse requires few tests including colonoscopy.
Treatment for Rectal Prolapse
A developed prolapse requires a wide range of treatments depending upon the patient. To secure the rectum into its place, a surgery is performed either through the anus or abdomen.
Types of Surgery for Curing Prolapse
The latest innovative STARR surgery has become popular within a few years. It is performed through the anal route and takes only 30-40 min to get completed. Being a minimum invasive technique, the patient is usually gets discharged from the hospital within 24 hours and recovers within 3-5 days. Minimum recovery time is up to seven days. In case of pelvic organ prolapse, the treatment depends on the extent of prolapse.
In initial stage, physiotherapy (Kegel exercises) is advised to support the pelvic floor muscles to strengthen them. In later stage, the combination of POPS (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Suspension) and STARR Surgery is used. The patient needs to be hospitalized for 2-3 days and later, rest for a week is enough to recover. POPS makes use of a 'Y' shaped mesh to lift the vagina and get fixed to ASIS (Anterior bony prominence over waist).
Constipation is the most common cause of prolapse, but simply curing constipation is not sufficient to get relief from the disease. There are two more treatment alternatives other than a surgery.
Rectum is the lower part of the human digestive system (i.e. large intestine). After the entire digestion process, faeces are collected at the end of the rectum which is followed by bowel movements through anus. When the rectum stretches and protrudes out from the anus, the condition is referred to as €Rectal Prolapse€. This condition occurs due to weakening of the anal sphincter muscles, which leads to leakage of mucus & faeces.
Dietary modifications: High fluid intake, fruit & vegetable rich diet, wholegrain foods, and regular exercise
Securing the structures in place: For mucosal prolapse, surgical rubber bands are used to maintain the positions of structures
Surgeries are most of the times effective, but some patients may experience few symptoms in the later stage too. Special after-care is recommended to such patients.
Several factors collectively contribute to the development of rectal prolapse; however, no sole cause is identified till now. Excessive straining during bowel movements and chronic constipation are the major causes of prolapse. Ageing and pregnancy are few prime causes of rectal prolapse. Pelvic floor dysfunctioning, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse are some of the rare causes of this disease. In rare cases, this disease can be either caused by birth or genetic defects.
Symptoms of Prolapse
€ Bleeding and mucus discharge from the anus
€ Protrusion of the rectum through the anus
€ Extreme pain and discomfort within the lower abdomen
€ Difficulty in passing stools
€ Frequent constipation
€ Stool incontinence
A patient suffering from prolapse always feels that the rectum is full even after bowel movements.
Tests for Diagnosing Prolapse
Diagnosing prolapse requires few tests including colonoscopy.
Treatment for Rectal Prolapse
A developed prolapse requires a wide range of treatments depending upon the patient. To secure the rectum into its place, a surgery is performed either through the anus or abdomen.
Types of Surgery for Curing Prolapse
The latest innovative STARR surgery has become popular within a few years. It is performed through the anal route and takes only 30-40 min to get completed. Being a minimum invasive technique, the patient is usually gets discharged from the hospital within 24 hours and recovers within 3-5 days. Minimum recovery time is up to seven days. In case of pelvic organ prolapse, the treatment depends on the extent of prolapse.
In initial stage, physiotherapy (Kegel exercises) is advised to support the pelvic floor muscles to strengthen them. In later stage, the combination of POPS (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Suspension) and STARR Surgery is used. The patient needs to be hospitalized for 2-3 days and later, rest for a week is enough to recover. POPS makes use of a 'Y' shaped mesh to lift the vagina and get fixed to ASIS (Anterior bony prominence over waist).
Constipation is the most common cause of prolapse, but simply curing constipation is not sufficient to get relief from the disease. There are two more treatment alternatives other than a surgery.
Rectum is the lower part of the human digestive system (i.e. large intestine). After the entire digestion process, faeces are collected at the end of the rectum which is followed by bowel movements through anus. When the rectum stretches and protrudes out from the anus, the condition is referred to as €Rectal Prolapse€. This condition occurs due to weakening of the anal sphincter muscles, which leads to leakage of mucus & faeces.
Dietary modifications: High fluid intake, fruit & vegetable rich diet, wholegrain foods, and regular exercise
Securing the structures in place: For mucosal prolapse, surgical rubber bands are used to maintain the positions of structures
Surgeries are most of the times effective, but some patients may experience few symptoms in the later stage too. Special after-care is recommended to such patients.
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