This is more serious condition in which a portion of the rectum protrudes through the anal ring. It most often occurs in cases of straining at the stool.

The condition can be prevented by developing proper bowel training habits and keeping the stools soft and well formed. Any condition such as hemorrhoids or rectal polyps should be properly treated. Surgery is usually advisable an all cases of rectal prolapse.

What is rectal prolapse?

Rectal prolapse occurs when part or all of the wall of the rectum slides out of place, sometimes sticking out of the anus. See an illustration of rectal prolapse.

What causes rectal prolapse?

Many conditions increase the chance of developing rectal prolapse. Risk factors for children include:

• Cystic fibrosis. A child who has rectal prolapse with no obvious cause may need to be tested for cystic fibrosis.
• Having had surgery on the anus as an infant.
• Malnutrition.
• Deformities or physical development problems.
• Straining during bowel movements.
• Infections.

Risk factors for adults include:

• Straining during bowel movements because of constipation.
• Tissue damage caused by surgery or childbirth.
• Structural conditions present since birth.
• Weakness of pelvic floor muscles that occurs naturally with age.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptoms of rectal prolapse may be:

• Leakage of stool from the anus (fecal incontinence).
• Leakage of mucus or blood from the anus (wet anus).

Other symptoms of rectal prolapse include:

• A feeling of having full bowels and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.
• Passage of many very small stools.
• The feeling of not being able to empty the bowels completely.
• Anal pain, itching, irritation, and bleeding.
• Bright red tissue that sticks out of the anus.

How is it treated?

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Prolapse in children tends to go away on its own.

In adults, eating plenty of foods that contain fiber may improve mucosal prolapse caused by constipation and straining. However, surgery is usually needed if you have a complete prolapse or a mucosal prolapse that does not improve with a change in diet. Surgery involves attaching the rectum to the muscles of the pelvic floor or the lower end of the spine (sacrum) or removing a section of the large intestine that is no longer supported by the surrounding tissue. Both procedures may be done in the same surgery.

[source: health.yahoo.com]
[image courtesy: adam.com and hemorroidscure.com]