PH&PTC

Three are three stages of rectal prolapse:

• Full-thickness rectal prolapse – the entire rectum protruding through the anus -in extreme cases part of the intestine may slip out of the rectum also
• Mucosal prolapse – where the rectal mucosa, instead of the entire wall, is falling
• Internal intussusception – the rectum falls but does not complete leave the anus

The primary cause of collapse is attributed to a low fiber diet and many years of straining during bowel movements.  The condition is most common among older women and young children.

Houston rectal prolapse patients may be advised by their doctor to begin a high fiber diet and begin take medication to treat constipation along with stool softners.

If the prolapse has advanced, there may be a need for surgery.  There are two basic types of corrective surgery for rectal prolapse:

• Perineal proctectomy  - the surgeon removes the prolapsed portion of the rectum by making a n incision in the protruding section
• Abdominal or Sigmoid resection – the surgeon goes through the abdomen and removes the sigmoid colon, which is the part of the intestine closest to the rectum

Many advances have been made in rectal prolapse surgery in Houston, making the procedures more exact and post surgical recovery shorter.  A consultation with your surgeon to discuss how advanced your prolapse has become will determine what course of action if best for you.
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Under the direction of Houston colorectal surgeons, the medical professionals at Houston’s Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy Center, are experts in the treatment of rectal prolapse through therapy from multiple disciplines.  For treatment of all types of pelvic organ prolapse visit the website of this pelvic health center in Houston.

Pregnancy and vaginal birth are the most common cause of cystocele.  But other factors may contribute, such as being overweight, smoking, straining with bowel movements, chronic coughing, and too much heavy lifting.  Pregnancy and childbirth put an enormous strain on the pelvic system, resulting in a breakdown and stretching of the muscles and tissues needed for adequate support of the organs in the region.

The time to make an appointment to see if you are experiencing a more advanced bladder prolapse is if you experience: a feeling of fullness or pressure in your vagina, a soft bulge comes into your vagina, a continual feeling of being unable to empty your bladder, repeated bladder infections, or pain during sex.

You may find some basic therapy can alleviate the problem.  A Houston surgeon who specializes in bladder prolapse may recommend you do Kegal floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.  He could suggest a vaginal pessary.  A pressary is a plastic or rubber ring that is inserted  in the vagina to support the bladder by pushing it back into place.  Estrogen therapy is also a non surgical approach for women after menopause.  This can be done with vaginal cream, pills, or a ring.

In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary.  The surgeon will put the bladder back into its proper place, then remove unwanted tissue and tighten the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor.  If another prolapse occurs, the surgeon may need to graft tissues to thicken the tissues and further increase support of the bladder.

If you feel any of the above discussed symptoms are a problem, contact a health care professional and see if you need treatment or might be in line for bladder prolapse surgery in Houston or elsewhere.
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The Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates have established the Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy Center to improve the pelvic health of their patients in order to avoid surgery, or to speed their recovery and restoration of function following pelvic floor surgery in Houston.

Maintenance of pelvic floor health is very important for both men and women. Poor pelvic health leads to different problems in men and women; and the best way to treat all these health problems is with physical therapy. With the help of a physical therapist, you will be able to maintain optimum pelvic health with strong pelvic floor muscles.

A pelvic health therapist will be able to help treat the following symptoms inmen: painful urination, prostatitis, burning ejaculation, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, pain with intercourse and painful scars.

Pelvic Physical Therapy for Men

In the patient’s first visit for physical therapy, the therapist will carry tests to ascertain the man’s posture, muscle flexibility, strength, stress level, pelvic and lumbar symmetry and pelvic floor muscles. The therapist will also discuss mental and emotional stress and the pain the patient goes through.

Accordingly, they will device physical therapy to help improve male pelvic health which entails a combination Manual therapy, home exercises like Kegel exercises to improve strength of pelvic floor muscles, retraining of posture and body mechanics, electrical stimulation if required, self care program that involves bladder habits and lifestyle changes.

Pelvic Health in Women

Pelvic muscle function is also an important aspect in women’s health, especially during the childbearing years. Pelvic health problems should always be consulted with doctors to ascertain the problem and the right physical therapy to treat the condition.

Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to pain, loss in bladder and bowel control, pain during sexual intercourse and other symptoms. Most factors that lead to these symptoms in women are childbirth, obesity, stress, menopause and straining while passing bowels.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help treat all these problems. Kegel exercises are taught to improve pelvic health and to treat urinary incontinence. Physical therapy relaxes and trains pelvic floor muscles. Massage also helps relax tight muscles and reduce pain.

In addition to all this, your doctor may suggest medical treatment like antidepressants, Botox injections and pain relievers for optimum pelvic health. In cases which do not respond to physical therapy and medication, surgery may be used as the final resort in restoring Houston pelvic health.

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The Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates established Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy Center in order to provide patients the means of preventing pelvic surgery through improved pelvic muscle function, as well as to help post-surgical patients regain optimum benefits from pelvic surgery.  Pelvic floor therapy in Houston aids the recovery of both men and women who have had bladder suspension, uterine suspension, prostatectomy, and other corrective surgeries.

Kegel exercises—most women are familiar with this exercise.  During and after pregnancy most doctors recommend this for strengthening the muscles in the pelvic region that suffer so much strain during pregnancy and delivery.  You can do these sitting on the edge of chair or lying on your back, best on a hard surface.  Basically you squeeze the buttocks together, exercising the same muscles you would to stop the flow of urine. Pelvic floor exercises should be directed by a therapist to ensure you are properly working the muscles, and becoming familiar with how the muscles are working and how it can benefit you.

Biofeedback—many therapists utilize this as a means of furthering awareness.  A device is inserted and shows its feedback on a computer screen.  The therapist will use this to show you the pelvic floor muscles and how they react to different exercises. It can be used to help retrain breathing patterns. Many benefit from this visual method of understanding their pelvic floor muscles and how they work and react.

Electric Stimulation—many therapists administer this as a way of strengthening muscles.
The low level current helps to contract weakened muscles more than they are capable on their own, this will increase strength.  It also causes an increase in cellular activity the will encourage rebuilding of tissues and stimulates the weakened nerves in the area.

Seeking a Houston colorectal surgeon or pelvic physical therapist in Houston could change a woman’s life if she is suffering from pelvic disorders of any kind.  Most of these are embarrassing and well as a great disturbance in every day living.  If  therapy can be used to retrain and heal your body, and stop the aggravation of weakened pelvic muscles, the time spent in sessions are worth the effort.
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The Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates established the Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy Center to aid their patients in achieving good pelvic muscle health.  Whether improving tone and muscle strength to prevent surgery or to speed recovery from surgery, the Houston pelvic floor physical therapists’ primary goal is to restore quality of life and as much normal pelvic function as possible to their patients.

Pelvic floor health plays a significant role in your sexuality, you may be surprised to learn. While exercise with a healthy and balanced lifestyle helps improve your sexuality, you also need to exercise pelvic floor muscles.  Pelvic floor exercises or Kegel exercise also help prevent bladder control problems, helps treat uterine prolapse, enhances prostrate and also helps women restore after giving birth.

How Kegel Exercises Help Improve Sex

Kegel exercises help a woman improve their staying power, intensifies sexual climax and even helps them become multi-orgasmic. This is because with stronger pelvic floor muscles, a woman’s vagina becomes tighter on contraction while making love. In case of men,Kkegel exercise helps give more robust erections, prolongs the act of lovemaking and gives a greater sexual experience by giving a more powerful climax.

To successfully implement Kegel exercises, one needs to first learn to pinpoint the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are basically the muscles that helps stop the flow of urine, so you can isolate these muscles by trying to stop passing urine mid-stream.

An alternative approach for women is to place their finger inside the vaginal opening and clenching their muscle tissues around it. Do not worry if the first attempt is tricky and some urine dribbles out as it only means your  muscles are weak and need fortification. This should not be done repeatedly as it can lead to urinary tract infections.

How to Perform Kegel Exercises

When you start your Kegel exercise, you have to lie down so that the muscles do not function against gravity. Once your muscles are strengthened, you can do them standing or sitting down. First you have to draw the pelvic muscle tissues and hold on to them for a count of 3, and rest for a count of 3. Do three sets of ten repeats. With experience, you can prolong the resting and holding time and include some gradual and swift contractions.

Like any other exercise routine, you have to practice and perform Kegel exercises consistently for some time before you actually realize any benefits of the exercise. You have to patiently persist t for about three to six weeks before you experience improved sexuality.

Remember that like any other muscle, your pelvic floor muscles may get tender after your workout. So do not overwork or pressure yourself into performing too much. A much better approach is to slowly and gradually increase the number of Kegel exercise repetitions.

It is not only those with a weak pelvic floor who should d o Kegel exercises. Even those who enjoy sex can do Kegel exercises for better and more enjoyment during sex and improved pelvic health.

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The Houston pelvic health professionals at Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy Center, are experts in multiple disciplines who aid in improving and/or restoring pelvic floor muscle function. Established by the premiere colorectal surgeons in Houston at Colorectal Surgical Associates, their goal is to help eliminate the need for uterine and bladder prolapse surgery, as well as to optimize the results for their surgical patients through the use of pelvic muscle physical therapy in Houston.