Do you feel some kind of tissue protruding through the anus while having a bowel movement? Do you have pain or itching in the anal region and feel some kind of lump? It could be due to rectal prolapse.
Rectal prolapse can happen when the last part of your large intestine, called the rectum, slips down on the inside of your anus. This occurs when the muscles that hold it in place become weak.
Patients often get confused because rectal prolapse often looks and feels similar to haemorrhoids. Unlike haemorrhoids, the symptoms don’t go away on their own and need treatment. Keep reading to know about the symptoms, causes, types, and treatment for rectal prolapse.
What is Rectal Prolapse?
You get a feeling of going to the bathroom to have a bowel movement when the faecal matter reaches the last segment of your intestine – the rectum. Multiple muscles work together to push this solid waste through the anus.
Generally, the rectum stays in place, and the faecal matter is excreted. However, when these muscles are not strong enough, rectal prolapse can happen, and the rectum may also get pushed outside and slips down the anal canal. You may be able to look or feel it as a mass hanging out of the anus.
Rectal prolapse can happen in both men and women, but it’s more common in women. Specifically, for every 1 male case, there are about 9 female cases. Women over the age of 50 are more commonly prone to rectal prolapse. While it’s uncomfortable and sometimes itchy and painful, there are treatment options.
Symptoms of Rectal Prolapse
People who have rectal prolapse may have the following symptoms:
- Pressure or bulging in the anus region
- Feeling that there’s something in the anus after the bowel movement
- A red mass coming out of the anus
- Mucus or stool leakage
- Blood from the anus
- Pain or itching in the anal region
Causes of Rectal Prolapse
The main reason why rectal prolapse occurs is because the muscles that hold the rectum in place become weak. Several factors contribute to this weakening:
- Ageing
- Pregnancy
- Difficult childbirth
- Injury or surgery in the pelvis
- Chronic constipation or diarrhoea
- Chronic cough
- Spinal cord issues
- Nerve damage
- Cystic fibrosis
Types of rectal prolapse
Rectal prolapse appears differently in different people. Depending on the severity of the prolapse, the symptoms vary:
- Internal Prolapse (Intussusception): The rectum folds into itself but doesn’t protrude outside the anus.
- Mucosal Prolapse: Only the inner lining of the rectum slips out of place.
- Full-Thickness (Complete) Prolapse: The entire wall of the rectum protrudes through the anus.
Risk Factors of Rectal Prolapse
Women at menopausal age are more at risk of getting rectal prolapse. Some factors that increase the chances of getting rectal prolapse are:
- Advanced age in women
- Multiple vaginal deliveries
- Chronic straining while having a bowel movement
- Neurological disorders like spinal trauma, multiple sclerosis, etc.
How is Rectal Prolapse Diagnosed?
Your doctor may perform a physical clinical examination and may order a series of tests to determine rectal prolapse, its type, and severity:
- Physical exam: Visual and digital rectal examination is done during straining.
- Proctoscopy or sigmoidoscopy: It assesses the condition of the rectal lining.
- Imaging: Imaging may be required to study the rectal movement.
How do I know if I have rectal prolapse vs haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids may also appear as mass in the anal region, but it’s distinctly different:
- Haemorrhoids are caused by swollen blood vessels in the anal canal. Often, it appears as a lump with itching, pain, and bleeding.
- Rectal prolapse, on the other hand, is the displacement of rectal tissue. It may appear as a persistent bulge, and mucous discharge may also occur.
What Happens if You Don’t Treat Rectal Prolapse?
In the initial stages, rectal prolapse may cause only discomfort, and it may not have other symptoms. Often, patients may be able to manually push the rectum back inside when it starts protruding. However, if you don’t treat the underlying cause of the prolapse, it can occur more frequently and worsen over time. This can lead to complications such as:
- Chronic constipation
- Faecal incontinence
- Ulceration and bleeding in the rectum
- Tissue damage due to prolonged exposure
- Risk of infections
Diagnosing and treating it early can prevent these complications and improve the quality of life for the patient.
Treatment Options for Rectal Prolapse
Depending on the severity of the rectal prolapse treatment your doctor may create a treatment plan such as:
- Conservative management: For infrequent prolapse, your doctor may recommend stool softeners and advise you to consume a fibre-rich diet. In the early stages, pelvic floor exercises can be helpful.
- Surgical intervention: For moderate to severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to restore the rectal muscles.
Holistic Care Through Ayurvedic Approach
At Chiraag Global Hospitals, Chiraayu Wing, you can get holistic ayurvedic care for rectal prolapse. Based on the symptoms and conditions, Panchakarma therapies and herbal medications may be needed to balance the doshas, detoxify the colon, improve digestion, and strengthen pelvic muscles from within.
Lifestyle Changes for Rectal Prolapse
Rectal prolapse often happens due to straining during bowel movement. When you improve digestive health with lifestyle improvements, you can prevent and manage rectal prolapse. The following tips can help:
- Increase intake of dietary fibre to ease bowel movements and prevent straining
- Drink enough water to keep you hydrated throughout the day
- Avoid straining when you go to the bathroom
- Establish daily bowel habits and practise yoga asana poses to help with bowel movement in the morning
- Try to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the stress on your digestive system
The lifestyle changes must be customised for each patient. After a thorough diagnosis, experts at Chirag Global Hospitals can guide you on the right modifications to your routine to prevent rectal prolapse in the future.
Exercises for Rectal Prolapse
To improve the strength of the rectal muscles, try the following exercises:
- Kegel exercises
- Pelvic tilts
- Bridge poses
- Seated twists
You can get help from a yoga expert or physiotherapist to perform these exercises routinely using the right posture.
Conclusion
With the right approach and treatment, rectal prolapse is a manageable condition. Don’t be shy about getting in touch with the experts because early diagnosis is important to managing the problem more conservatively. At Chirag Global Hospitals, experts use a blend of advanced diagnostics, modern surgery, and ayurvedic expertise to offer a holistic path to healing. The personalised treatment and supportive lifestyle changes can help you get lasting relief and improve your quality of life by avoiding rectal prolapse in the future.
