Among the yearly goals to consider, promoting a healthy lifestyle emerges as a crucial investment for our overall well-being. Supporting a balanced diet and engaging regularly in physical activity not only play crucial roles in promoting mental health but also play a decisive role in preventing and managing proctological disorders. But what are proctological disorders and what do they involve?
Proctological disorders
Proctological disorders are medical conditions involving the rectum and anus. The term ‘proctological’ derives from “proctology“, the field of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of benign and malignant functional diseases affecting the final segment of the intestine (sigmoid, rectum, and anus). Proctological disorders can cause a variety of symptoms and discomforts such as blood in stools or anal bleeding, intense anal pain, mucus discharge, constipation or diarrhea, anal itching, and fecal incontinence. Among the most common proctological disorders are:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fistulas
- Anal fissures
- Rectal prolapse
- Anal condylomas
- Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Fecal incontinence.
Some small tips
To safeguard the health of the anal and rectal area, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle and cultivate daily mindful habits, thus promoting prevention of the aforementioned proctological disorders. To this end, here are some practical tips to preserve the health of the proctological area:
1. CONSCIOUS NUTRITION AND HYDRATION
As we all know, the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle is a balanced diet. Reducing consumption of processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats can significantly improve overall health. Including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in the daily diet provides the body with essential nutrients to function optimally. A fiber-rich diet is particularly important for keeping stools soft and facilitating intestinal transit. Water also plays a crucial role in the body’s proper functioning, especially in preventing constipation and thereby reducing the risk of developing hemorrhoids.
2. REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Exercise plays a significant role in preventing proctological disorders through several beneficial mechanisms involving the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. Besides maintaining body weight, regular physical activity promotes blood circulation, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system. Moreover, incorporating regular physical activity into daily routine helps keep intestinal transit moving, thus preventing constipation.
3. PAY ATTENTION TO POSTURE… EVEN ON THE TOILET!
Posture plays a crucial role in safeguarding proctological health. Sitting for long periods, especially in an incorrect position, can increase the risk of developing unpleasant proctological conditions. But… do we also need to maintain a specific posture while on the toilet? Indeed, correct posture is not only about prolonged sitting in environments like offices or homes but also about the position during defecation. Surprisingly, the posture on the toilet can significantly influence intestinal health. The optimal angle between the torso and legs during defecation is approximately 35°, very different from the 90° position we often adopt. This small adjustment can have significant impacts on preventing discomforting disorders that can compromise intestinal health and consequently affect digestion.
4. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Needless to say, undergoing regular medical check-ups is an essential step in preventing proctological disorders. Proactively relying on a proctologist allows for the detection and treatment of conditions that would be minimal if caught early or to avoid the onset of more critical diseases (such as tumor-related conditions).
The contents of this page are for informational purposes only and should in no way replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment prescribed by your physician. Responses to the same treatment may vary from patient to patient. Always consult your doctor regarding any information related to diagnoses and treatments, and meticulously follow their instructions.
