Have you been suffering from anal pain or discomfort?

Below are a number of common anorectal disorders and their typical symptoms to help you identify the problem you might be experiencing.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels around the anus, which can be internal or external. They are typically caused by constipation, diarrhea, or straining while going to the bathroom. They can also occur because of increased vein pressure or hormone changes during pregnancy.

Hemorrhoid symptoms include:

• Painful lumps around the anus
• Evidence of bright red blood when going to the bathroom
• Anal itching and/or burning
• Anal pain while sitting

Anal Fissures

Anal fissures are small splits or tears that occur along the anal canal, typically caused by passing hard stool, a prolonged period of diarrhea, or from eating foods that create a rough passage through the digestive tract (nuts, seeds, popcorn, etc.).

Symptoms of anal fissures include:

• Painful bowel movements with evidence of blood
• Pain after bowel movement
• Constipation
• Visible crack in the skin upon examination

Anal Itching / Pruritus Ani

Anal itching is a bothersome and sometimes intense itching or burning around the anus. The condition has many causes, including excessive cleanliness; prolonged exposure to moisture; a diet with irritating foods; and irritation from soap, detergents or toilet paper.

The primary symptoms of anal itching include:

• Overwhelming urge to scratch, especially at night or after a bowel movement
• Possible evidence of occasional bleeding

Anorectal Abscess

An anorectal abscess is a collection of pus in the area of the anus and rectum due to an infection, a blocked gland or a sexually transmitted disease.

Anorectal abscess symptoms include:

• Fever
• Feeling generally unwell
• Swelling, redness or discomfort around the anus
• Drainage of pus or fluid from the affected area

Anal Fistula

An anal fistula is a tract or opening that forms under the skin from the anus to outside of the body or another organ, usually resulting from an anorectal abscess that has drained.

Initial symptoms of an anal fistula resemble those of anorectal abscesses:

• Fever
• Feeling generally unwell
• Swelling, redness or discomfort around the anus
• Drainage of pus or fluid from the affected area

Condyloma

Condylomas — or anal warts — are growths found on the skin around the anus, caused by the human papilloma virus.

While many people experience no discomfort with anal warts, others suffer from:

• Minor itching
• Some bleeding and moisture in the anal canal

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options

Your Physician may recommend a minimally invasive procedure or surgical intervention if conservative treatments fail, or if your hemorrhoids are large, persistently bleed and/or become increasingly painful. Consult your Physician to determine which treatment option is best for your situation.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Rubber Band Ligation

• The most commonly used hemorrhoid procedure in the United States
• Tiny rubber bands are placed around the base of a hemorrhoid to cut off the circulation

Injection (Sclerotherapy)

• A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoidal tissue to shrink the hemorrhoid

Coagulation (Infrared, Laser or Bipolar)

• Small, bleeding internal hemorrhoids are shrunk using laser, infrared light or heat

Surgical Procedures

Hemorrhoid Stapling

• Anchors the hemorrhoid in its normal position and blocks blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue

Hemorrhiod Removal

• Complete removal of the hemorrhoidal tissue and the offending blood vessels

Sources: Mayo Clinic & Harvard Medical School

Contact Us

We welcome any questions, concerns or success stories you may have about RectiCare®. To contact us via email, please use our contact form below.

You can also call or write to us at the following address:

Ferndale Healthcare® Inc.
780 W. Eight Mile Rd.
Ferndale, MI 48220
866.668.7482