Causes of discharge from the anus in men and women

Discharge from the anus is a fairly common problem that worries many people. But due to the intimacy of the problem, shyness, many people do not go to the doctor, but try to treat the problem on their own. Almost all such cases of self-medication end badly. Therefore, it is important to realize for yourself the degree of danger and responsibility for your own health. A doctor, due to his job, faces such problems every day, so there is no point in being embarrassed about him. It is unlikely that another patient will be able to surprise him with something, because this is his job.

It is important to understand that proctological problems are the most serious problems that require strictly professional intervention. Any discharge and pain in the rectum and anus require immediate medical attention. You should not even try to find a way out of the situation on your own, as you can aggravate the problem and waste time that could be spent with benefit to your health. There are cases when rectal cancer is masked under normal symptoms, which can only be cured by surgery. Cancer usually originates from polyps. If treated in a timely manner, you can simply prevent further development.

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Causes anus

The main causes are dystrophic and structural changes, degenerative processes. They can begin as a result of lack of diet, weakness of the sphincters, some diseases, dysbacteriosis, neoplasms.

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Discharge from the anus in men

Similar problems are observed equally often in both sexes. In this case, the discharge may differ sharply both in characteristics and in color, consistency. Everything depends on the cause, localization of the pathological process, the degree of tissue involvement. With inflammation of the superficial areas during defecation, yellow discharge develops. With the development of a protracted inflammatory process, accumulation of pus, a green liquid is released. This is a sign of proctitis, prostatitis.

Quite often, discharge occurs with various neoplasms, both malignant and benign. Green discharge indicates the development of tumors. Usually, this is the only sign of tumors.

Discharge, mainly bloody, appears with hemorrhoids. Minor discharge develops, mainly mucous. Then the appearance of scarlet blood occurs more often. At the third stage, hemorrhoidal veins come out, as a result of which quite severe bleeding develops, which subsequently results in anemia, anemia.

Various tumors, both malignant and benign, can manifest themselves in a similar way. Often, a person confuses such discharge with hemorrhoids and does not attach serious importance to it. This leads to the fact that the development of a tumor can be triggered. Often, taking the necessary measures, saving a life can only be done at the early stages.

Gradually, an infection joins in, the inflammation intensifies, and pus appears. When blood vessels are affected, damage occurs, ichor and blood leak out. Exacerbation can develop with alcohol abuse. Exacerbation can be facilitated by eating spicy food, smoked foods, and spices.

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Discharge from the anus in women

Discharge occurs by approximately the same mechanisms as in men. The reasons for the development of pathological processes, localization, and pathogenesis features vary. In women, such discharge is characteristic of the development of hemorrhoids. This is complicated, first of all, by pregnancy and is due to the fact that the load on the body increases significantly. A sedentary lifestyle aggravates the situation. Pressure occurs from above, under the weight of the uterus and fetus, from below, when the woman sits. Cracks, dilation of hemorrhoidal veins, and other pathologies develop. Most often, hemorrhoids develop during pregnancy.

Discharge may also indicate the development of tumors. Both benign and malignant tumors can behave in the same way. Often, with tumors and hemorrhoids, bleeding develops. Therefore, tumors are often confused with hemorrhoids, without attaching significant importance to them. As a result, the pathology starts and is detected when it is no longer possible to do anything. Hemorrhoids and tumors are not mutually exclusive, they can coexist. Mucus may appear with gynecological problems, penetration of microflora from the genitourinary system. Inflammation develops. If it is not treated for a long time, an infectious, purulent-septic process may develop. The situation may be complicated by pregnancy, menstruation, as well as nervous stress, overwork.

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Discharge from the anus in a child

If we are talking about discharge from the rectum of a child, then most often we are talking about bloody diarrhea. Less often, you can find blood impurities against the background of normal feces. This is often not the only sign of pathology. Sharp pain in the abdomen joins in. The child is worried, anxious, refuses to eat. Looks upset, tired, the temperature rises, chills may begin. All this is accompanied by loud crying, hysteria.

The child should be shown to a pediatrician first, and then, if necessary, to a proctologist. It is necessary to contact specialists immediately, self-medication is always fraught with complications. The reason for urgent treatment are situations in which blood periodically seeps through the passage, or is visible against the background of urination and defecation. Such violations are often accompanied by a slowdown in development: the child grows slowly, refuses food, does not have fun. It is necessary to carry out urgent diagnostics to determine the reason for such violations. Then the cause must be eliminated. If this is not done, swelling occurs, tissues lose elasticity, as a result they are exposed to any impact and damage, quickly begin to bleed. The process is accompanied by the appearance of a rash on various parts of the body. Even minor blood loss in childhood can cause the development of anemia, which is practically untreatable. Blood in the stool can form with lactate deficiency, which is especially important for infants. This is explained by the fact that the newborn's intestines are not yet adapted to independent life, and cannot digest large volumes of less gentle food. Any innovations cause a painful reaction from the digestive tract. This pathology is very dangerous for the child, since the appearance of blood and carbohydrates in the feces indicates that carbohydrates are not fully processed and are not absorbed by the body. And milk and lactate are the only products that a newborn baby eats. As a result, he may stop growing and developing, and metabolic processes are completely disrupted.

Lactate metabolism disorders can be both congenital and acquired. Acquired pathologies are a consequence of a previous illness and are often considered as one of the symptoms of another disease. As an independent pathology, it is extremely rare. Therefore, before the diagnosis of lactase deficiency is established, it is necessary to exclude a number of other diseases with similar manifestations.

Stool with blood and other particles, liquids, mucous discharge is accompanied by anxiety, vomiting, temperature, which is typical for intestinal volvulus. This disease is very easy to recognize, since the feces contain blood clots. In appearance, it resembles mousse or raspberry jelly. The condition can be life-threatening, since a few hours after the disease has made itself known, there may be a violation of the removal of gases and feces. Usually in such a case, they do not wait, but call an ambulance. Often, surgical intervention cannot be avoided.

One of the main reasons for the onset and further progression of the disease is a bacterial infection. Children are most susceptible to this factor, since they tend to eat unwashed food and do not wash their hands before eating. Children under one year also often get infected, since they taste almost all new objects, put them in their mouths, and lick their fingers. Children should also not be given food that adults eat, as this can cause digestive disorders. The danger is that they develop intoxication, which leads to severe complications. The best solution would be to call an ambulance.

Additional discharge may appear after prolonged constipation, severe food infection, intoxication, in which pathological damage to the mucous membranes and intestinal walls develops. This condition can be very life-threatening, as it can lead to bleeding and anemia. Often the process ends with intoxication, dehydration, and the death of the child (if the necessary measures are not taken in a timely manner).

In adults and adolescents, bleeding is initially mistaken for cancer until proven otherwise.

Sometimes, during diagnostics, another cause of pathology is established, then the diagnosis is refuted and therapy is prescribed in accordance with the diagnosis. This is due to the high danger and lethality of cancer, which must be identified and treated immediately. Its danger lies in the fact that cancer is a tumor growing into the intestine and closing the lumen. The only method of treatment is surgical, in which the tumor is removed. In this case, it is necessary to be careful to avoid the appearance of metastases. Sometimes in the early stages and at the stage of origin, the tumor can be cured conservatively, using chemotherapy, antitumor therapy, placement in a pressure chamber.

Other causes include acute poisoning, severe inflammatory processes. Diverticulosis, bacterial viral infections, severe dysbacteriosis can also be included here. Inflammation of the small intestine manifests itself in a similar way. They can cause abundant mucus secretion. Then a severe infectious process develops in this place.

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Risk factors

The risk group includes people who do not follow a diet, who eat poorly, consume a large amount of fast food, snacks. The risk increases in people who have recently suffered from food infections and poisoning, who have developed persistent dysbacteriosis.

Also at risk are people who have recently undergone surgery, have pelvic or intestinal injuries. Various intestinal prolapses, neoplasms, condylomas and polyps significantly increase the risk of developing pathology. The presence of latent viral infections in the body: gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, also significantly increases the risk.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis is based on the development of a pathological environment and the accumulation of secreted fluid in the intestine. Sometimes purulent exudate and an intense inflammatory process appear. The contents are characterized by an unpleasant, sometimes even foul odor. Against the background of liquefaction of the intestinal contents and the accumulation of water, diarrhea develops, gases accumulate, irritation appears. Pathogenesis is based on the weakness of the sphincter and functional disorders. Stagnant processes gradually develop, the contents begin to rot, transform. This leads to the fact that over time, the rectum will fall out. Maceration gradually develops, accumulation of excessive moisture, deep cracks appear. A constant feeling of burning, itching, tingling occurs. The resulting mucus can get on the surface of the wound, resulting in irritation and an increase in the inflammatory process. Maceration often ends in cracks, erosions, and is accompanied by constant itching.

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Epidemiology

It has been established that no matter what the discharge from the anus is, in all 100% of cases it is pathological. According to statistics, in 50% of cases it occurs as a result of relatively "harmless" diseases, such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, sphincter insufficiency. In the remaining 50% of cases, such a serious pathology as rectal cancer is hidden behind harmless discharge.

In 78% of cases, bloody discharge indicates rectal cancer. At the same time, doctors initially consider any bloody discharge as rectal cancer until proven otherwise. Cancer in 65% of cases is painless and degenerates from polyps that were not removed in a timely manner. The greatest risk of developing cancer is at the age of over 40-50 years, as well as with intestinal polyps, if there are people in the family who suffered from cancer.

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Symptoms

They indicate various types of discharge that occur during the period of meeting the body's natural needs, on a daily basis. They can be transparent, yellow, brown, green, and even black. All this is accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen, anus, and colon. However, pain is not considered an early symptom, since it appears 1-1.5 months after the first discharge. The pain can be short-term or constant, often radiating to the lumbar region, back, and even to the shoulder blades and collarbones. A burning sensation may be felt in the diaphragm and peritoneum. Cramping pains and spasms may appear, indicating intestinal restriction and narrowing. With a progressive inflammatory process, the pain intensifies and does not stop.

Directly in the anal area, twitching, tingling and burning pains are felt, which intensify towards evening, a feeling of swelling and bloating appears. The appearance of pus is often associated with erosions and ulcers on the surface of the skin and mucous membrane. Cracks appear that heal poorly, itching and burning.

Often there is a profuse discharge of blood, bleeding develops. Drops of blood are released, sometimes even a whole stream or flow of blood may appear, which indicates arterial or venous bleeding. Such manifestations make themselves known after bowel movement. Sometimes just feces may contain blood impurities. With prolonged bleeding, significant blood loss occurs, which eventually develops into anemia. Chronic anemia often develops with cancer. Gradually, the normal function and composition of the blood, the renewal of cellular structures are disrupted. Intoxication processes are sometimes accompanied by constipation. In this case, the onset of the next bowel movement is significantly delayed, and there may be a complete absence of it for several days. The abdomen swells, tenesmus appears, the consistency of the stool changes. Tenesmus is considered a common phenomenon, which is a false urge to empty, as a result of which there is no relief.

In this case, instead of feces, there are mucous secretions, which periodically bother the patient. With tenesmus, the sensitivity of the receptors of the mucous membrane changes, the lower part is activated, motor activity appears in the intestines. This leads to the appearance of urges to empty. Something similar can also occur with a disorder of the areas of the brain that are responsible for the work of smooth muscles, regulation of physiological acts, including the act of defecation.

Early signs that can help you recognize rectal discharge include stains on clothing (underwear), which periodically appear at almost any time of the day. Also, discharge may be indicated by the appearance of mucus, blood, and other impurities. These signs should be a cause for concern, as they can lead to serious pathologies.

• White discharge from the anus

If the feces are covered in a white haze or contain white streaks, this indicates a fungal infection. You need to see a specialist, since the fungus needs to be treated. First, you need to conduct a bacteriological study to determine the causative agent of the disease. Based on the results obtained, an appropriate antifungal agent is prescribed.

• Yellow discharge from the anus

The appearance of yellow discharge indicates an inflammatory process. The more discharge, the stronger the inflammatory process. This often occurs with inflammation of the gallbladder, with proctitis. It can also indicate the presence of pathogenic bacterial microflora in the body.

• Orange discharge from the anus

Yellow bile and red blood when combined give an orange color. The appearance of orange discharge indicates liver and gallbladder diseases. Discharge may have an unpleasant specific smell. Orange stripes often appear.

• Brown discharge from the anus

Brown discharge indicates the presence of proctological diseases. In this case, blood is mixed with feces. Brown discharge is observed with hemorrhoids, proctitis, various tumors and benign neoplasms.

• Green discharge from the anus

The appearance of green discharge is a sure sign of intensive development of a bacterial infection. Most often, the pathogen identified is Helicobacter pylori, which colonizes the stomach and can cause gastritis and ulcers. A similar condition occurs due to food poisoning. Green color indicates a high degree of bacterial contamination.

• Black discharge from the anus

If black discharge appears, this indicates a severe lesion of the small intestine, duodenum, stomach. It may be a sign of gastric bleeding. Quite often, black feces appear with prolonged constipation, stagnation. If such symptoms appear, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, since this may be a symptom of a serious illness.

Discharge from the anus with an odor

Normally, a person should not have any discharge from the anus, but in pathologies they occur. Excrement should have a specific fecal odor that is unpleasant for a person. But there should be no foul odor. If a strong, sharp odor occurs, it is often caused by bacterial breakdown of fatty acids and proteins.

Oily, greasy discharge from the anus

They occur due to improper nutrition, as well as non-compliance with diet and treatment. Also, the use of certain medications, biological supplements, contraceptives, can lead to oily discharge.

Greasy stains may remain after visiting the toilet. Sometimes oil and fat coat the surface of the feces and create a shine. The appearance of fat is often evidence of the development of enterocolitis, inflammation. An exacerbation may occur after a person has eaten a lot of fatty, smoked, fried food, alcohol.

Bloody discharge from the anus with and without pain

As soon as the first signs of bleeding appear, immediately visit a doctor who will examine you, conduct a survey and prescribe adequate treatment. Even if the blood is slowly oozing out drop by drop, urgently go to a medical facility. Any painful sensations, elevated temperature should also serve as a reason.

An ambulance should be called when bleeding occurs in a patient who has recently undergone surgery. A cause for concern should be bleeding that was not observed, but it reappeared after 40-50 years, and also, Bleeding after 1-3 months after chemotherapy is considered dangerous.

Even if you are not bothered by pain, you should immediately consult a doctor. Many serious diseases that need to be treated are painless. Many rectal diseases, including oncological ones, are painless, since it contains an insignificant number of receptors.

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Purulent discharge from the anus

The presence of pus indicates the development of an infectious and inflammatory process. Often, pus is released during bowel movements. But sometimes its release is spontaneous. In addition, various mechanical damage, trauma, bowel prolapse, ulcer and fistula cannot be ruled out. An important role is also played by a violation of innervation and endocrine background. This develops with proctitis, prostatitis.

Clear discharge from the anus

Transparency in most cases indicates functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, its performance is significantly reduced, peristalsis and motility are impaired. This condition is observed with improper nutrition, non-compliance with the diet. It can also be a consequence of improper dieting, frequent use of diets. This is often due to dysbacteriosis and dystrophic phenomena.

Discharge from the anus with an unpleasant odor

Indicates the development of bacterial microflora. This is an intensive reproduction of pathogens, severe dysbacteriosis. This is often observed in cases of intoxication with bacterial endotoxins.

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Constant discharge from the anus

Constant discharge can be observed in both men and women. Most often, it is a sign of a chronic inflammatory or infectious process that affects the large intestine, rectum. It can also indicate a progressive tumor, hidden hemorrhoids.

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Curdy discharge from the anus

May indicate necrotic processes in the small and large intestines, rectum and anus. This is often observed with tumors and neoplasms. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

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Burning and discharge from the anus

Very often, discharge and pain in the anus are accompanied by itching and burning. This is due to the fact that any wet processes in the anal area always lead to maceration and burning. Every second patient of a proctologist tells the doctor about the presence of burning against the background of hemorrhoids, warts, discharge from the anus.

Burning may be a sign of illness, and may also occur as a result of fecal incontinence, which leads to skin irritation and the development of contamination. The first and main measure to combat such secretions is to follow the rules of hygiene. Burning often occurs in patients suffering from chronic diarrhea, colitis and Crohn's disease.

Excessive sweating can also contribute to the appearance of a burning sensation in the anal area. It often occurs against the background of diabetes, candidiasis, skin rashes in the anal area. The cause can also be wearing synthetic underwear, using artificial deodorants, washing powders for washing underwear. When irritated areas become infected, a strong burning sensation can develop. With the development of sclerotic atrophic lichen, the perineum and anus are affected. The process is also accompanied by a strong burning sensation.

In children, burning is often associated with worms that are released from the rectum and parasitize on the skin, in the folds of the anus. Sometimes there are also psychogenic causes of itching and burning. They occur in people with mental trauma, nervous overstrain, in a state of constant overexcitement.

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Diagnostics anus

In order to diagnose anal discharge, you need to see a proctologist. The doctor will collect all the necessary information, as well as collect a medical history. It is important to tell the doctor as much information about your health as possible, regarding the moment when the complaints first appeared, how they manifested themselves, how much the situation worsened or improved. The doctor will need information about whether the patient has received treatment before. It is important to know the nature of the stool, pain, characteristics of the discharge, as well as their color, type, shape, consistency and quantity.

Then the doctor conducts a general examination, which includes examination, assessment of the patient's general condition. It is necessary to measure the pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature. After this, the doctor moves on to a special examination. Palpation of the abdomen and digital rectal examination are performed, which are the main methods of proctological examination.

Superficial and deep palpation of the abdomen is performed. These methods make it possible to determine how tense the anterior abdominal wall is, as well as to determine the degree of its pain. It is possible to palpate pathologies of the abdominal organs and the presence of neoplasms. These methods make it possible to suspect the development of an infectious process or inflammation in the patient.

Using a digital rectal examination, the condition of the intestinal mucosa and anal canal are assessed. The sphincter's closing ability, the condition of the internal organs and tissues are assessed. All organs and structures located in close proximity to the rectum are assessed.

It is possible to identify neoplasms and evaluate their features. It is also possible to palpate the presence of hemorrhoids and anal fissures. It is possible to identify various diseases, including neurological ones, which are accompanied by a decrease in the contractile activity of the sphincter.

Based on the data obtained, the doctor can make a diagnosis or conclude whether additional studies are appropriate. Most often, laboratory and instrumental studies are performed. In some cases, differential diagnostics may be required.

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Tests

Laboratory research methods make it possible to identify many processes occurring in the body and to clarify the diagnosis. To begin with, standard tests are prescribed: clinical blood, urine, and feces analysis. They can generally show the direction of the main processes occurring in the body. With the help of these tests, the general clinical picture is revealed. Thus, it is possible to determine whether an inflammatory, infectious, or allergic process is occurring in the body. It is also possible to assume the presence of tumors. Urine and feces analysis, as a rule, specifies the localization of the pathological process and shows its stage.

Special research methods are also carried out, in particular, research of enzymatic activity, coprogram, bacteriological research, culture for dysbacteriosis. The diagnostic scheme is developed for each patient individually.

So, when mucus is released from the intestine, a coprological examination is mandatory. In case of oily discharge, a biochemical blood test is taken. In this case, the functions of the liver and gall bladder are assessed. The indicators oftotal, direct and indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT are important. The condition of the pancreas is also assessed, especially alpha-amylase.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Often, examination and laboratory tests are not enough to accurately determine the cause of the pathology and make the correct diagnosis. Therefore, instrumental diagnostics are used. Most often, endoscopic methods are used, for example, colonoscopy. Also very informative methods are X-ray examination, irrigoscopy, rectoscopy, computer and magnetic resonance imaging.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is based on the principle of differentiating various diseases with similar symptoms and making a final diagnosis. For example, scarlet blood in the stool may appear for various reasons that are not related to each other. Hypovolemia, hypotension, vascular diseases, erosions and cracks in the rectum may contribute to the development of bleeding. It is very easy to detect this symptom: by the appearance of the stool. Additionally, a hematocrit test is carried out, which makes it possible to accurately determine the cause of the pathology.

Blood from the rectum can also be released for various reasons. For example, hemorrhoids, perianal lesions, diseases of the large and small intestines can be accompanied by blood release. In order to differentiate them, an instrumental examination is carried out, for example, colonoscopy, irrigoscopy. It is also necessary to assess the condition of the feces by conducting a stool analysis. For this, its bacteriological, microscopic examination, and assessment of the physicochemical properties are carried out.

Differential diagnostics are performed with Henoch-Schonlein disease, gastrointestinal diseases. For this purpose, a stool test for occult blood is performed. In order to exclude cancer, a biopsy is performed with subsequent histological examination of the obtained tissue samples.

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Treatment anus

Treatment is primarily etiological, therefore it depends on the cause of the pathology. It is aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the disease. Therefore, correct and timely diagnostics are extremely important, based on the results of which treatment will be prescribed. It is always strictly individual. There is no single scheme that would suit everyone.

Complications and consequences

Discharge from the anus can be quite dangerous for human health. This is primarily due to the fact that it is not an independent disease. Discharge can indicate a serious dangerous disease, including colon and rectal cancer, which can be neglected if you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner.

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Prevention

Prevention of discharge consists of observing the rules of hygiene, work and rest regime. It is important to maintain an active lifestyle, do physical exercises, since physical inactivity contributes to the development of hemorrhoids and other diseases of the rectum. With a sedentary, inactive lifestyle, especially if a person spends a lot of time at the computer, you need to get up every 15-20 minutes, do minimal exercise. Also, you cannot wear synthetic underwear, especially in hot weather. On weekends, it is important to take long walks, jogs, or ride a bike.

It is also important to monitor your diet. Food should not include spicy, fried foods, spices. You need to follow a dietary, gentle diet. You should not consume too much liquid, alcohol, salt.

It is important to maintain hygiene of the genitals, do not overcool. It is necessary to undergo periodic preventive examinations, and if the first signs of the disease appear, immediately consult a doctor. If proctological or other concomitant diseases are detected, begin treatment as soon as possible.

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Forecast

Discharge from the anus can be completely eliminated only if you undergo timely diagnostics, find the cause of the pathology and prescribe the necessary treatment. An unfavorable prognosis may be if you do not consult a doctor, do not treat the disease, or self-medicate. In this case, you can neglect many serious diseases, including intestinal cancer, rectal cancer. Such cases can end fatally.

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