Rectal prolapse befalls when part or the entire rectum glides out of place and branches out of the anus, rotating the rectum inside out. The rectum is the final segment of the large intestine before the anus (the opening via which stool is expelled out of the body). Rectal prolapse is an uncomfortable condition that necessitates treatment to fix.
What causes rectal prolapse?
There is no solitary definitive reason of rectal prolapse, although numerous known factors can upsurge your risk of developing this condition. Risk factors for rectal prolapse consist of:
- Chronic constipation (challenging bowel movements that ensue less than three times in a week)
- Chronic diarrhea (bowel movements are wet or runny, and ensue more than three times a day frequently)
- Long-standing history of straining during bowel movements
- Fragile muscles in the pelvic region
- History of pelvic surgery
- Having given vaginal birth
Rectal prolapse can transpire at any age, but it is most common in grown-ups. Females over age 50 are six times more likely than males over 50 to develop rectal prolapse.
Is rectal prolapse and hemorrhoids same?
No. Rectal prolapse stems from a drooping of the last segment of the large intestine. Hemorrhoids are inflamed blood vessels that develop in the anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids can lead to anal itching and pain, discomposure and bright red blood on toilet tissue. Early rectal prolapse can look like internal hemorrhoids that have slithered out of the anus (i.e., prolapsed), making it tough to tell these two conditions separately.