Anal pain: symptoms, causes, and treatment options

Definition

What is anal pain?

Anal or rectal pain is a condition that occurs when you experience pain or pain in and around the anus (also called the rectum or rectum, which is the perianal area).

This disease is a common complaint. Although most causes of anal pain are harmless, the pain can be severe due to the large number of nerve endings present in the perianal area.

Rectal pain can occur before, during, or after a bowel movement. The pain can range from a mild ache that can worsen over time to very severe pain to limit daily activities.

The causes of anal pain are numerous. Usually it is common and can be treated. However, if anal pain doesn't go away within 24 to 48 hours, it's important to see a doctor. If the pain is accompanied by fever, you should see a doctor immediately.

Many conditions that cause anal pain can also cause rectal bleeding. This may seem scary, but usually the bleeding is not that serious.

The cause of pain is usually easily diagnosed and can be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever or a hot water bath.

How common is anal pain?

This health condition is very common and occurs more frequently in men than women. anal pain can affect patients of all ages. Fortunately, this condition can be treated by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of anal pain?

Anal pain signs and symptoms vary, depending on the cause. Usually the most common symptoms of anal pain are as follows:

Anal fissure (tear in the anal area)

The following are the symptoms of anal fissure:

Sharp, severe pain during bowel movements.
Burning feeling that does not go away even a few hours after bowel movements.
Bleeding in the rectum, usually showing a small amount of blood during bowel movements.

Hemorrhoids (hemorrhoid)

Here are the symptoms of hemorrhoids:

Bleeding after bowel movements.
Itchy buttocks.
Feel like there is a lump in or around the anus.
Pain and redness around the anus.
Anal pain, if the blood supply is blocked due to swelling (hemorrhoids) and blood clots.

Anal fissures and pus

The following are the symptoms of this condition:

Pain that doesn't go away and is throbbing, and gets worse when you sit down.
Skin irritation around the anus.
Pus or blood comes out during bowel movements.
Swelling and redness around the anus.
High body temperature (fever).

There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Anal pain can refer to pain or discomfort in the anus, rectum, or lower part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

This pain is common and the causes are rarely serious. These conditions are often muscle spasms or constipation.

However, you should contact your doctor if you experience the following symptoms of anal pain:

Unbearable pain.
the pain doesn't get better after a few days.
You also experience rectal bleeding.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes anal pain?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, it is believed that there are a large number of causes of anal pain. The following are the most common causes:

Anal cancer
Anal fissure (small tear in the wall of the anal canal)
Anus itching (pruritus ani)
Injury from anal sex
Anorectal fistula (an abnormal tube between the anus or rectum, usually to the skin around the anus)
Coccydynia or coccygodynia (tailbone pain)
Chronic constipation
Crohn's disease
Fecal impaction (hardened mass of stool in the rectum due to chronic constipation)
Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids (cramped and inflamed blood vessels in the anus or rectum)
Levator ani syndrome (spasms in the muscles surrounding the anus)
Pus in the deep tissue around the anus
Perianal hematoma (buildup of blood in the perianal tissue due to a burst blood vessel, sometimes called external hemorrhoids)
Proctalgia fugax (flash pain due to spasm of the rectal muscles)
Proctitis (inflammation of the anal wall)
Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (sores in the rectum)
Thrombosed hemorrhoids (blood clots in hemorrhoids)
Trauma or injury
Several types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is this condition diagnosed?

The doctor can perform an examination of the rectal area to determine the cause of the pain. Some tests for anal pain that can be done include:

Digital rectal examination is required to confirm the diagnosis of levator ani syndrome. During the exam, the doctor will examine the levator ani muscle. This muscle can feel tense, and when touched it will hurt.
The doctor can make a diagnosis of thrombosed hemorrhoids by performing a visual examination of the anus or anal canal.
Diagnosis fissura ani usually made by visual inspection.

What are the treatments for anal pain?

The following remedies can help reduce the discomfort from painful hemorrhoids that trigger rectal pain:

Sit in a warm bath for 20 minutes several times a day.
Use over-the-counter drugs to treat hemorrhoids.

The following remedies will support healing fissura ani:

Sit in a warm bath for 20 minutes, three times a day, to reduce pain and aid healing.
Increase your intake of high-fiber foods and use stool softeners to help make your bowels less painful.
Apply hydrocortisone or a pain cream to help relieve pain.

Because attacks of anal pain last for a very short time, there is no treatment fast enough to stop them. Currently there is no specific drug to prevent anal pain attacks.

Home Remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be made to treat this condition?

The best way to avoid anal pain is to consume lots of fiber and drink enough water. This will help you produce soft stool that is easy to pass and does not cause trauma to the anal canal.

Consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.