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Anus pain (after pain) - causes, therapy and symptoms
Pain in the anus area is a common problem, which is unfortunately often kept hidden because of shame and therefore often clarified late or not at all by a doctor. Even if anus pains usually turn out to be harmless, however, especially with persistent pain and / or concomitant symptoms such as blood in the stool or fever should always be consulted as a precaution, a doctor, because these may well be an indication of more serious diseases.
contents
- definition
- Causes and symptoms
- hemorrhoids
- Analthrombose
- Pain on the anus after a bowel movement
- Anal fistulas and abscesses
- Treatment for pain in the anal area
- Naturopathy with anal pain
definition
The term anus pain or anal pain usually includes complaints in the area of the buttocks and rectum. In medicine, this is called a "proctalgia", the corresponding medical subdivision, which deals with diseases of the rectum and anal canal, is called "proctology" or "coloproctology" (from the Greek proctos for "anus", colon for "intestine "And" -logy "for teaching).
The anus or anus is the posterior orifice of the intestine or the exit opening of the intestine, whose task is to control the defecation of the stool. The anus is formed primarily by two important circular muscles, the sphincter ani internus, which prevents the involuntary discharge of stool, and the sphincter ani externus, which closes the anus.
Pain in the anus can be extremely unpleasant in everyday life and have a variety of causes. (Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com) Causes and symptoms
Pain in the anus is relatively common and can be due to a variety of causes. In many cases it is digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea, excessive or insufficient personal hygiene or certain ingredients in personal care products or the skin irritating underwear, which are responsible for complaints in this area. Likewise, however, also various diseases in the anal area come into consideration, such as hemorrhoids or anal fistulas. The causes are explained below.
Anus discomfort and pain on or in the anus are often associated with altered anatomy. (Image: bilderzwerg / fotolia.com) hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidal disease is often the cause of anal pain. Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids are arteriovenous vascular cushions that line the anal canal like a cushion from the inside, thus acting as a "fine closure" in the anal area. Hemorrhoids are therefore a normal part of the digestive system - they become pathological only when the blood accumulates in them and can no longer flow properly. As a result, the hemorrhoids become larger and typical symptoms occur, such as anus pain, an itching, bleeding, an unpleasant pressure pain and an after burning. In many cases, a feeling of incomplete emptying and a disturbance of the so-called "fine continence" is added, which in turn can lead to greasiness, moaning and stuhlverschmutzer laundry. Hemorrhoidal disease is often caused by lack of exercise or persistent constipation (often low-fiber diets), which results in hard bowel movements and heavy pressing. Hemorrhoidal disease can also develop rapidly during childbirth, as well as overweight (obesity) and constantly sedentary activities seem to have a beneficial effect.
Hemorrhoids are often the cause of pain and itching on the anus. (Image: ellepigrafica / fotolia.com) Analthrombose
Also, an anal thrombosis (also called "spurious hemorrhoids") can be the cause of after-pains. This is characterized by mostly several blue-reddish nodules, which, in contrast to hemorrhoids, are not located in the anus but at the edge of the anus. The trigger of anal thrombosis is a blood clot in the superficial veins, which can be caused by intense physical activity, prolonged sitting on cold surfaces, hormonal changes (period, pregnancy, childbirth) or excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee and hot spices. In addition to a sudden painful curve on the anal margin, it can also cause itching, a feeling of tightness or burning. When controlling with a mirror, different numbers of skin-covered nodules may show up, some of which are barely discernible, but in other cases may also reach cherry-cherry or, more rarely, even plum size.
Pain on the anus after a bowel movement
Are the pain on the anus very strong and thereby stabbing or drilling and occur especially during and after the defecation, can also be an anal fissure cause, which is sometimes referred to as "anorexia". This is an oblong tear in the mucous membrane of the anal canal, which usually occurs in the coccyx area. Often it comes through the strong pain that sufferers can barely sit, also it can come to blood in the stool or traces of blood on the toilet paper. What exactly causes such an afterrage is not yet clear - favoring, however, seems to be hard bowel movements, but also persistent diarrhea or haemorrhoidal disease, even sexual practices such as anal intercourse or the introduction of objects into the anus can lead to a mucosal tear. In addition, a fissure may also occur as a result of various underlying diseases such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) or infectious diseases (e.g., syphilis, tuberculosis) (secondary anal fissure)..
Anal fistulas and abscesses
If inflammatory changes in the area of the "glands" (proctodeal glands) lead to an encapsulated purulent inflammation (abscess), this may also be the reason for a sometimes very painful swelling and redness at the anus margin. In order to prevent the inflammation from spreading, such an abscess is usually surgically opened for pus drainage - but sometimes it also bursts spontaneously and malodorous pus passes through the skin to the outside.
If such an abscess is deeper, it is usually difficult to recognize and is often discovered only by the parallel existence of a general malaise or fever. After an abscess has leaked out, a so-called "anal fistula" may remain, which is a narrow, tubular duct that connects the inflamed anus with the skin. Painful anal fistula is also characterized by pain in the anus, typical chronic oozing and purulent secretions, which are often seen in the underwear and often associated with itching and skin irritation.
If there is a suspicion of a fistula, the treatment should be carried out as quickly as possible, because if left untreated it can continue to expand, causing damage to the sphincter muscles. However, since anal fistulas usually do not heal on their own, the common route to treatment is surgery in which the fistula is split (fistulotomy) and the entire inflammatory material of the proctodeal gland is removed by curling (curettage) the fistula floor.
Treatment for pain in the anal area
Since complaints to the anus are often due to relatively "harmless" reasons, often already help some behavioral changes (change in diet, exercise and fluid etc.), home remedies or creams or creams from the pharmacy to relieve the pain and other symptoms. However, concomitant symptoms such as blood in the stool, severe pain during bowel movements and constipation may also be a serious condition - so medical clarification is indispensable!
If hemorrhoidal disease is present, care should be taken to ensure that blockages are released to avoid excessive pressure during bowel movements. In this context, a balanced, high-fiber diet, sufficient exercise and fluid should be respected, and a number of other home remedies for constipation to help alleviate the discomfort. In addition, in mild cases, ointments or suppositories from the pharmacy may help against the pain and itching - however, if the symptoms persist or irritate the skin, it is important to consult with the doctor. In more severe cases, the hemorrhoids may be sclerosed depending on the stage (sclerotherapy) or tied with rubber rings (Gummigigaturbehandlung), in an advanced condition, surgery is usually required.
Even with an acute anal fissure sufferers should urgently pay attention to regulate their bowel movements, since the complaints are also very often caused by constipation or hard feces. In addition, locally anesthetizing ointments can be used to relieve the pain, in some cases the anesthetic agent is also injected directly under the anus tear. Drugs such as glycerol trinitrate or nifedipine are used in a chronic anal fissure, but in more severe cases an operation may be required to avoid possible complications and to relieve the pain.
An anal thrombosis usually returns within a few days or a few weeks of its own accord, so for minor pains treatment can be dispensed with altogether or, for mild pain and pressure feelings, analgesics (for example ibuprofen, diclofenac) can be resorted to. However, sufferers should pay attention to strict bed rest during healing and promote a smooth bowel movement by eating high-fiber diets and drinking enough. In case of severe discomfort, the thrombosis is either completely surgically removed under local anesthesia or a cut is made in the node so that the thrombus can be cleared.
Naturopathy with anal pain
In order to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease or anal fissure, a central step is to provide soft and well-formed stool to avoid squeezing during emptying. This is especially a high-carb-rich and balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits as well as sufficient exercise and hydration (at least 2 liters a day) elementary. For example, dried figs that contain soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which work as gentle "bowel cleaners" are delicious and healthy. Dried unsulphured prunes from the organic market are also very good for digestive aid: five pieces soaked in water overnight and eaten sober with some natural yogurt next morning, constipation can be a real treat.
As analgesics often cause severe itching and skin irritation, herbal baths can additionally relieve the symptoms. Here you can choose between a sitz bath in warm water or a steam bath where the affected areas are exposed to hot water vapor. Especially the steam bath has the advantage, however, that the painful areas are reached more gently than when sitting directly in the tub and thus not so much soak - so recommended especially for stronger skin irritations or more pronounced hemorrhoids, fissures, etc. To the aching To "steam" places boiling water, for example, with 500 grams of oak bark or about 15 drops of real lavender oil in a container that can carry your own body weight (tub or bucket of metal or similar). Then comes a sturdy board that is placed on top so that the anus is directly above the steam - of course, the distance should be kept so that the heat is not perceived as unpleasant.
As an alternative to the baths are also very good at after complaints and envelopes or pads. These can be soaked, for example, with ointments or oils or filled with herbs, and then placed on the affected area for some time. Also recommended here are anti-inflammatory and wound healing herbs such as real lavender, St. John's wort or oak bark. (No)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor) 