Diseases of the rectum and anus are common phenomena. Its prevalence in the general population is probably much higher than that seen in clinical practice, since most patients with symptoms referable to this part do not seek medical attention. As a doctor of first contact, the family practitioners frequently face with difficult questions concerning the optimum management of ano-rectal symptoms. Ano-rectal disorders are common and often readily managed in a primary care setting. This book ‘A Physician’s guide to common ano-rectal conditions’ gives a brief note of anatomy and evaluation of the ano-rectum to help physicians more confidently diagnose and treat ano-rectal disorders. Most of the family physicians regard the ano-rectal canal with trepidation. It is a matter of concern that the physical examination of the ano-rectum is often inadequately performed in general clinical practice. Advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis and management of various ano-rectal disorders. Each disorder is suggested by its characteristic history. The clinician who obtains a thorough history and performs a complete examination can accurately diagnose these disorders. Ancillary tests though are helpful but are needed only occasionally. While the examination and diagnosis of certain ano-perianal disorders is challenging, most of the common disorders of the ano-rectum can be easily recognised with a careful local examination and proctoscopy. The patient’s position for examination, use of various diagnostic tools and arriving at a diagnosis using these simple manoeuvres is indicated as a separate chapter in this book. The diagnosis and management of haemorrhoids, fissures, fistulae, constipation and pruritus ani on rough estimates, accounts for more than 81% of the complaints centring around this part of human anatomy. This book describes in details about these diseases, their symptomatology and treatment plans.
