The rectum is an integral human body part, also found in some other mammals, that is situated at the lower part of the large intestine. It functions as the temporary storage of wastage from the colon. It seems like a tube that is around 15 cm in size. It is connected to the anus at the end. Rectum has an important task in our body as it contains the wastage coming from the colon temporarily, and at the time of bowel movement, it pushes them out of the body through the anus. It is sometimes disturbed due to problems like constipation, internal and external haemorrhoids, rectum cancer etc.
Rectum, as a part of the digestive system
The rectum is an important part of our digestive system. It is specifically a part of the large intestine, which includes the appendix, cecum, colon and rectum at its end. Digestion keeps us healthy. As we take elements like protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water in the form of different food diets, these nutrients are broken into small particles. Our body absorbs these particles and uses them for gaining energy, growth and cell repairments. This process takes place in the small intestine, and then it proceeds to the large intestine, where water is observed too. The final wastage of the diet becomes stool. The rectum becomes the temporary storage of stool, which is located at the end of the large intestine. It stores the stool up to the bowel movement after the stool is pushed out through the anus.
Major problems related to the rectum
Major problems related to the rectum are haemorrhoids and rectal cancer. Haemorrhoids can occur internally and externally both. Haemorrhoids are caused by constipation.
Constipation: It is a common digestive problem nowadays.
- Internal haemorrhoid: These are blood vessels that are located at the opening anal. We possess them by birth. Normally, they do not disturb us. They have the function of containing gas. They can become larger in size due to pregnancy or straining, and thus they start bleeding. Sometimes they are too swollen that they bulge outside the opening of the anal.
For treating internal haemorrhoids, the surgery takes place in which some specific kinds of devices are used that work with sound waves. The device detects the exact point of the haemorrhoid from where bleeding occurs into the vessels. This particular area is tied off. There is another treatment known as stapled haemorrhoidectomy. Here, with the use of a specific device, the hemorrhoidal tissue is pulled back inside the body and it is stapled to its right place.
- External haemorrhoid: These are actually veins that are located under the skin outside of the anus. Sometimes a blood clot is formed over there, which is very painful. Such a clot may also be fine naturally but is also removed surgically by doctors.Normally, it does not disturb our body system; however, when it is enlarged in size, it becomes too painful to bear. Some of the major symptoms of external haemorrhoid include the following:
- Pain and discomfort around the anus area
- Swelling around the anus area
- Straining and bleeding
- Itching and cracks around the anus area
How long does it take to recover from haemorrhoid removal?
Haemorrhoids have been in our body since our birth, but sometimes when they form clots or enlarge their size, they become very painful. At that point, the removal of haemorrhoids by surgery is a way to get rid of the pain. The surgery is known as haemorrhoidectomy. The removal of haemorrhoids takes place under general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia. In this, the swollen hemorrhoidal tissues are removed from the rectal area.
In most cases, surgery is effective and can permanently fix the haemorrhoid problems. Recovery from the haemorrhoid removal surgery depends on many factors like the patient’s age, health status, type of anaesthesia given etc. Complete recovery from haemorrhoid removal surgery can take 2 to 4 weeks; however, the patient can return to his daily work after 7 to 10 days of surgery by following medical guidelines.
Conclusion
It is very important for us to own a detoxed body for gaining a good health status. Detoxification means the removal of toxic substances or wastage from our bodies. Detoxification is as necessary as inhalation or food. The rectum plays an important role in this process as it stores the waste in the form of stool and pushes it out through the anus during the bowel movement. It is important to keep a healthy food habit and lifestyle, which includes eating fibre rich food, drinking enough fluids, doing exercise, keeping the body in movement, etc. These habits will prevent constipation, and thus, painful haemorrhoids will also be avoided.