If you are looking for specialist medical treatment within the Los Angeles area, then some of the terms that are used may be confusing if you do not have a medical background. A proctologist is a type of doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the colon (or large intestine), rectum and anus. This entire region may be referred to as the bowel. Some proctologists will also treat conditions affecting the pelvic floor. A proctologist is now referred to, usually, as a colorectal surgeon. This is a modern term that describes what these doctors do more accurately.
What Does a Colorectal Surgeon Do?
A colorectal surgeon will diagnose and treat conditions of the bowel (consisting of the colon, rectum and anus) and the pelvic floor. This will initially involve taking a medical history to find out what your symptoms are and how long they have been present. This may be sufficient to diagnose your condition, or you may need to undergo more comprehensive screening procedures. You will be advised of the different screening methods, the risks and the benefits of each before you undergo any procedures.
Once your condition has been diagnosed, you and your LA colorectal surgeon will be able to discuss how you would like to proceed with your treatment. There may be a number of options, depending on the exact condition that you have, but the most likely advice, to begin with, will involve making a number of lifestyle changes, particularly regarding your diet.
What Are The Screening Procedures?
The most common screening procedure that your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon will carry out is called a colonoscopy. This involves the insertion of a narrow, flexible tube into the colon, via the anus. This tube has a camera on the end, which projects the images of the colon lining onto a computer screen, which the doctor can then examine closely. This is the most accurate method of identifying any abnormalities in the lining of the bowel, and is a very low risk procedure. Sedation is used, rather than anaesthetic, which has the advantage of reducing the risks even further. This does mean that you will be awake throughout the procedure, which can be uncomfortable, but is not generally considered to be painful.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy may be used instead, if it is thought that the problem is located within the last two feet of the bowel. This region is called the sigmoid colon. Your LA proctologist will carry out this screening procedure, which is very similar to a colonoscopy, in order to look at this final section of the gastrointestinal tract.
Are There Any Non-invasive Procedures?
Yes, it is possible to use non-invasive methods to screen the bowel for abnormalities. However, as your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon will inform you, these procedures are less accurate than either a colonoscopy for a flexible sigmoidoscopy, so it is therefore possible for changes in the bowel to be missed.
Barium solutions and x-rays can be used in combination to give a view of the digestive tract. The barium solution allows the digestive system to be seen on an x-ray, and this can be used to identify abnormalities such as growths. The solution can either be swallowed or given as an enema, depending on which region is being examined. You may be given the choice of which you would prefer, or your surgeon may decide. Additionally, a virtual colonoscopy may be performed. This is a CT scan using air to distend the colon so that the radiologist may view the colon lining.
Both of these procedures involve the traditional bowel cleansing prior to the procedure and both involve the use of radiation during the procedure. Additionally, if polyps are found, they cannot be removed during these procedures. A colonoscopy will be required. Therefore, most people opt to have a colonoscopy as their screening exam.
Choosing a Proctologist or Colorectal Surgeon
When you are choosing one of the many colorectal specialists in Los Angeles, it would help if someone you knew could provide a recommendation. If not, then you should ask your doctor for a list of those in your local area, and then you will need to do some research. Find out about the specialists that you are considering – search online and you will find that they all have either their own website, or are featured on the website of the clinic where they work. Check their qualifications, whether they are board certified, and are a member of a professional organisation.
Finally, book an initial consultation so that you can meet the surgeon. If you are not satisfied with any aspect of the experience, you will be able to go elsewhere for future appointments.
What Does a Colorectal Surgeon Do?
A colorectal surgeon will diagnose and treat conditions of the bowel (consisting of the colon, rectum and anus) and the pelvic floor. This will initially involve taking a medical history to find out what your symptoms are and how long they have been present. This may be sufficient to diagnose your condition, or you may need to undergo more comprehensive screening procedures. You will be advised of the different screening methods, the risks and the benefits of each before you undergo any procedures.
Once your condition has been diagnosed, you and your LA colorectal surgeon will be able to discuss how you would like to proceed with your treatment. There may be a number of options, depending on the exact condition that you have, but the most likely advice, to begin with, will involve making a number of lifestyle changes, particularly regarding your diet.
What Are The Screening Procedures?
The most common screening procedure that your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon will carry out is called a colonoscopy. This involves the insertion of a narrow, flexible tube into the colon, via the anus. This tube has a camera on the end, which projects the images of the colon lining onto a computer screen, which the doctor can then examine closely. This is the most accurate method of identifying any abnormalities in the lining of the bowel, and is a very low risk procedure. Sedation is used, rather than anaesthetic, which has the advantage of reducing the risks even further. This does mean that you will be awake throughout the procedure, which can be uncomfortable, but is not generally considered to be painful.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy may be used instead, if it is thought that the problem is located within the last two feet of the bowel. This region is called the sigmoid colon. Your LA proctologist will carry out this screening procedure, which is very similar to a colonoscopy, in order to look at this final section of the gastrointestinal tract.
Are There Any Non-invasive Procedures?
Yes, it is possible to use non-invasive methods to screen the bowel for abnormalities. However, as your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon will inform you, these procedures are less accurate than either a colonoscopy for a flexible sigmoidoscopy, so it is therefore possible for changes in the bowel to be missed.
Barium solutions and x-rays can be used in combination to give a view of the digestive tract. The barium solution allows the digestive system to be seen on an x-ray, and this can be used to identify abnormalities such as growths. The solution can either be swallowed or given as an enema, depending on which region is being examined. You may be given the choice of which you would prefer, or your surgeon may decide. Additionally, a virtual colonoscopy may be performed. This is a CT scan using air to distend the colon so that the radiologist may view the colon lining.
Both of these procedures involve the traditional bowel cleansing prior to the procedure and both involve the use of radiation during the procedure. Additionally, if polyps are found, they cannot be removed during these procedures. A colonoscopy will be required. Therefore, most people opt to have a colonoscopy as their screening exam.
Choosing a Proctologist or Colorectal Surgeon
When you are choosing one of the many colorectal specialists in Los Angeles, it would help if someone you knew could provide a recommendation. If not, then you should ask your doctor for a list of those in your local area, and then you will need to do some research. Find out about the specialists that you are considering – search online and you will find that they all have either their own website, or are featured on the website of the clinic where they work. Check their qualifications, whether they are board certified, and are a member of a professional organisation.
Finally, book an initial consultation so that you can meet the surgeon. If you are not satisfied with any aspect of the experience, you will be able to go elsewhere for future appointments.
