HealthyLife Articles

Tag: rectal pain

  • Hemorrhoids

    Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

    Hemorrhoids are veins in or outside of the anus that may become dilated or swollen.

    Signs & Symptoms

    *  Bright red blood on or in the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet.

    *  Anal or rectal tenderness. Anal itching.

    *  Uncomfortable, painful bowel movements, especially with straining.

    *  A lump can be felt at the anus.

    *  Mucus passes from the anus.

    Causes

    Hemorrhoids are usually caused by repeated pressure in the rectal or anal veins. Often this is due to repeated straining to pass stool. The risk for getting hemorrhoids increases with:

    *  Prolonged sitting on the toilet and straining to have a bowel movement.

    *  Constipation.

    *  A low dietary fiber intake.

    *  Obesity.

    *  Pregnancy.

    Treatment

    Hemorrhoids are common. They are not likely to be a serious health problem. Most people have some bleeding from them once in a while.

    Don’t assume that rectal bleeding is “just hemorrhoids.” See your doctor to find out the cause.

    If symptoms of hemorrhoids are not relieved with self-care or with time, medical care may be needed. This includes:

    *  Laser heat or infrared light.

    *  Rubber band ligation. A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off blood flow to the hemorrhoid.

    *  Surgery.

    *  Cryosurgery. This freezes the affected tissue.

    Questions to Ask

    Self-Care / Prevention

    *  Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of fluid per day.

    *  Eat foods with good sources of dietary fiber, such as bran, whole- grain breads and cereals, vegetables, and fruits.

    *  Add bran to your foods. Add about 3 to 4 tablespoons per day.

    *  Eat prunes. Drink prune juice.

    *  Lose weight if you are overweight.

    *  Get regular exercise.

    *  Pass stool as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and hard. This makes it harder to pass.

    *  Don’t strain to pass stool.

    *  Don’t hold your breath when trying to pass stool.

    *  Keep the anal area clean. Use moist towelettes or wet (not dry) toilet paper after you pass stool.

    *  Don’t sit too much. This can restrict blood flow around the anal area. Don’t sit too long on the toilet. Don’t read while on the toilet.

    *  For itching or pain, put a cold compress on the anus for 10 minutes at a time. Do this up to 4 times a day.

    *  Take warm baths or use a sitz bath with hot water. A sitz bath is a basin that fits over the toilet. Get one at a medical supply or drug store.

    *  Check with your doctor about using over-the-counter products, such as:

    – Stool softeners.

    – Zinc oxide or anesthetic (numbing) products, such as Preparation H.

    – Medicated wipes, such as Tucks.

    – Suppositories.

    Resources

    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

    www.niddk.nih.gov

    Healthier at Home book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Rectal Problems

    Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

    The rectum is the lowest part of the large bowel (colon). The opening of the rectum is the anus. Stool are passed from the anus.

    Signs & Symptoms

    *  Rectal pain.

    *  Rectal bleeding.

    *  Anal itching.

    *  Redness, swelling, or a rash in the rectal area.

    Causes

    Often there is no clear cause. Persons with diabetes and liver disease are more prone to rectal itching.

    For Anal / Rectal Pain and/or Bleeding

    *  Constipation. Straining to pass stool. Hemorrhoids.

    *  Anal fissures. These are splits or tears in the skin around the anus.

    *  Polyps or small growths.

    *  Injury due to anal intercourse or the insertion of a foreign object.

    *  Blockage in the intestines.

    *  Colon or rectal cancer.

    For Anal / Rectal Itching

    *  Dry skin. Products that irritate or cause a skin allergy in the anal area. Examples are over-the-counter anesthetic ointments that end in “caine,” such as benzocaine.

    *  Hemorrhoids.

    *  Psoriasis. This is a chronic skin disease. With this, itchy, scaly red patches form on a part of the body.

    *  Pinworms. These are intestinal parasites. They usually affect children. The anal itching is at night and can be painful.

    *  A fungal infection.

    Treatment

    Treatment for rectal problems depends on the cause. Any sign of rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor. This includes blood on toilet paper. Colon cancer should be checked for, despite the person’s age or family history of this disease.

    Questions to Ask

    Self-Care / Prevention

    For Anal / Rectal Bleeding

    *  Don’t lift heavy things.

    *  Stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines and/or aspirin (unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor).

    *  Don’t strain to pass stool.

    For Anal / Rectal Itching

    *  Practice good hygiene. Clean the rectal area daily.

    *  Use an over-the-counter ointment, such as one with zinc oxide or one for hemorrhoids, such as Preparation H. Follow package directions.

    *  Wear clothes and undergarments that fit loosely.

    *  Take a warm bath or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a shallow, warm water bath. You can get a sitz bath device from a medical supply company and some drug stores. Then dry the rectal area well. Use talcum powder, as needed.

    *  Take warm tub baths.

    *  Lose weight if you are overweight.

    *  If you are diabetic, keep blood sugar under control.

    *  For pinworms:

    – Check for pinworms in this way: In a dark room, a few hours after bedtime, shine a flashlight on the anus. Pinworms, if present, will go back into the anus when the flashlight is shined on them.

    – Wash the hands often.

    – Keep fingernails closely trimmed.

    – Try to get your child to not suck his thumb and not bite his nails.

    – Wash underwear and bed linen in hot soapy water.

    – If medication for pinworms is prescribed, use it as directed.

    For Rectal Pain

    *  Take warm baths.

    *  Use a warm water sitz bath for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.

    *  Put towels soaked in warm water on the anal area. Or, apply a cold compress to the painful area, if this helps with the pain. You can buy a sitz bath from a medical supply or drug store.

    *  Follow measures to prevent constipation.

    *  Don’t strain to pass stool.

    *  Keep the rectal area clean.

    *  Use soft, plain, unscented, two-ply toilet paper. Take your own toilet paper to work or other places that may use harsh paper. Use wet, not dry, toilet paper, if that helps.

    *  Use an over-the-counter wipe, such as Tucks, after using toilet paper.

    *  Don’t sit for long periods of time. When you do sit, raise your legs, as often as you can.

    *  If needed, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.

    Healthier at Home book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine