Sunday, May 20, 2018

By Rebecca Kennedy


The lower part of the digestive tract is made of the colon, the rectum, anal canal and the anus at the very end. A variety of conditions affect this area including tumors, infections, physical trauma and congenital diseases among others. Although some colorectal illnesses may be treated with drugs, the mainstay treatment for most of them is surgical. These are some of the concepts on colon and rectal surgery Long Island patients may find useful.

The blood vessels in the colorectal region can get too swollen that they cause pain to the individual. This condition is referred to as hemorrhoids. While the exact cause is unknown, risk factors are known. These include obesity, pregnancy, anal sex and constipation. A diet deficient in high fiber greatly contributes to constipation and straining.

Hemorrhoids are primarily treated using conservative methods. One is encouraged to enrich their foods with high fibre content. In addition, individuals are advised to stay hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water. Daily saline baths are great in enabling quick healing of hemorrhoids. Pain and inflammation can be management using analgesics or use of ice packs. However, if conservative treatment fails or if the hemorrhoids are too advanced, surgery is the main option.

Removal of hemorrhoids can be done on an outpatient basis without any need for general anesthesia. One option is to use a rubber band by tying around the base of the hemorrhoid. This cuts off the blood supply and the swelling shrivels with time.

The other choice is what is referred to as sclerotherapy and coagulation. Sclerotherapy uses chemicals injected directly into the affected vessel, causing it to shrink. Coagulation mostly uses laser directed to the hemorrhoid. Although hemorrhoids have a tendency to recur with these procedures, they are usually more convenient for the patient.

Hemorrhoidectomy, which simply means surgical removal of hemorrhoids, is the method of choice for very large swellings. The patient can be put on either regional or general anesthesia depending on how complicated the case is. The good thing about surgery is that it greatly lowers the rate of recurrence. However, the patient is at risk of getting urinary tract infections.

Colorectal surgery is also indicated for patients with cancer involving the colon and rectum in a procedure technically referred to as resection and anastomosis. In this process, the abnormal tissue is cut off and the normal parts put together again. When the sphincters that control defecation are also affected with cancer, they also have to be done away with. In this case, the patient has to be counselled on the fact that they will have to use a colostomy bag for the rest of their life.

In summary, it is important for the patient to be well informed on all the risks related with surgery. These include anesthetic complications such as respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse. Surrounding structures may be accidentally injured in the process of removing abnormal tissues. All in all, the benefits of surgery for colorectal cancer usually outweigh the risks.




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