Colonic and anorectal disorders: diagnosis and treatment.

Older patients are at increased risk of colonic and anorectal disorders, some of which occur commonly in patients of all ages. A careful medical history and physical examination, knowledge of the past medical history, and assessment of the circumstances in which symptoms of intestinal disease develop allows intelligent direction of the medical evaluation. Direct visualization of the colorectal mucosa using flexible fiberoptic or videoendoscopes often provides prompt and accurate diagnosis and facilitates therapeutic intervention. Other disorders require radiologic diagnosis and treatment or surgical intervention.