How Can I Manage a Rectal Prolapse before or after surgery?

Preventing rectal prolapse from occurring or recurring post surgery involves adopting healthy habits and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of pelvic floor weakness and rectal tissue damage. Here are some strategies to help manage rectal prolapse before or post-surgery:

• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly: Aim for a balanced diet and regular physical activity to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Exercise strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor and helps support the structures that prevent rectal prolapse.
• Practice good bowel habits: Adopting healthy bowel habits, such as eating a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding delaying or forcing bowel movements, can help prevent straining during bowel movements, which is a significant risk factor for rectal prolapse.
• Avoid heavy lifting and treat constipation promptly: Heavy lifting increases intra-abdominal pressure and strains the pelvic floor muscles, potentially leading to rectal prolapse. Address constipation promptly by incorporating dietary fiber, staying hydrated, and using stool softeners or laxatives under medical guidance.
• Practice pelvic floor exercises (Kegels): Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, involve contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor. Regularly performing these exercises can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve support for the rectum, reducing the risk of prolapse.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking has been linked to pelvic floor dysfunction and an increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse, including rectal prolapse. Quitting smoking can help reduce this risk and improve overall pelvic floor health.
• Seek prompt treatment for pelvic floor disorders: If you experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as pelvic pressure, urinary or fecal incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse, seek evaluation and treatment from a healthcare provider specializing in pelvic floor disorders. Early intervention can help prevent the progression of pelvic organ prolapse and improve outcomes.