What are the symptoms of rectal polyps?

What are the symptoms of rectal polyps?

Rectal polyps are raised lesions formed on the surface of the rectal mucosa. The initial symptoms are not obvious, but then there may be reactions such as increased bowel movements, and a large amount of mucus in the stool. Some patients may have intestinal irritation symptoms such as mucus, blood in the stool, incomplete defecation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, as well as reactions such as anal swelling, anemia, and weight loss.

1. What are rectal polyps?

Rectal polyps are benign anorectal tumors, mainly referring to the raised lesions formed on the surface of the rectal mucosa toward the large intestine. They may be inflammatory or hyperplastic polyps, but generally do not cause malignant lesions. Most polyp tissues grow in the lower part of the rectum, composed of mucosa and glands, are round, and have a slender pedicle. They can be directly and clearly observed through a proctoscopy.

2. Symptoms of rectal polyps

1. Change bowel habits

The symptoms caused by rectal polyps are mainly changes in stool habits. As the amount of stool increases and the state of stool changes, some patients will become constipated. It can be observed with the naked eye that there is mucus or blood mixed in the stool, accompanied by a feeling of incomplete defecation. As the disease progresses, there may be mucus and blood in the stool or pus and blood in the stool, and the amount of bleeding will increase significantly with each bowel movement.

2. Intestinal irritation reaction

When the large intestine moves, it often pulls the rectal polyp tissue, thus inducing a series of intestinal irritation reactions. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and urgency and heaviness.

3. Anal tumor prolapse

When the number of rectal polyps is large and the size is large, due to gravity, they may pull the colon mucosa, promote its gradual separation from the muscle layer, and cause symptoms of anal prolapse. Patients can touch the prolapsed material in the anus with their hands, which will aggravate defecation or some forceful movements.

4. Other symptoms

If rectal polyps are not effectively treated, the patient's body will become extremely emaciated, the limbs will be weak and fatigued, and complications such as anemia and malnutrition may occur due to blood in the stool. If a large amount of mucus is excreted, hypokalemia and arrhythmia may also occur.