Colorectal surgeons are highly skilled surgeons who have been certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery to treat conditions of the colon and rectum. If you have certain digestive conditions, your physician may recommend a consult with a surgeon. Here is a look at four conditions they commonly deal with.

Hemorrhoids

The rectum and anus are rich with blood vessels. These blood vessels can become swollen. They may be internal or external, at the rectal opening. They can become painful, inflamed, cause itching, or even bleed, sometimes profusely. Straining during a bowel movement or chronic constipation will exacerbate hemorrhoids. An internal hemorrhoid may prolapse, becoming a bulge on the outside of your body. While most hemorrhoids don't require surgical intervention, severe cases, especially with other underlying conditions, may require surgery to repair blood vessels or prolapses.

Anal Fissures And Fistulas

The muscles that control the sphincter can develop a tear. This is called an anal fissure. It is common in those with chronic constipation or diarrhea. The anus has a lot of nerves to control the closing and opening of the sphincter and allow waste to exit; therefore, it can be a very painful condition and require surgery to repair it.

An anal fistula is an infected channel that develops from the anus or rectum and opens in the surrounding skin, creating an abscess. In women, it can lead to recurrent vaginal or urinary tract infections. An anal fistula must be surgically repaired by a colorectal surgeon. Both conditions are common in people with Chron's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease.

Diverticulitis

The lining of the digestive system can develop pockets as people age called diverticula. These pockets collect undigested food and fecal matter and become inflamed and often, infected. In addition to pain in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen, the person with diverticulitis will suffer a fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and general malaise. An intestinal blockage may develop, or the diverticula can open, spilling toxins into the abdominal cavity. These are emergency situations and must be surgically repaired immediately to prevent complications or death.

Polyps

The lining of the digestive system is normally smooth, but your colon can develop polyps, small teardrop-shaped growths. These can be a pre-cursor to colon cancer and should be removed and biopsied. The colorectal surgeon will do this during a colonoscopy, the colon cancer screening procedure that is recommended for adults over the age of 45. If cancer is found, additional surgery may be required.

For more information on colorectal surgery, reach out to your healthcare provider or surgeon.

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