Pain in the rectum

Rectal pain manifests itself in a variety of ways, and in some cases it is vague and unclear. Discomfort in the anal canal is often accompanied by constipation or diarrhea, bloating, a sensation of a foreign body in the anus, bloody, purulent or mucous discharge, itching in the perineum, general weakness, symptoms of intoxication, anemia, and false urges to defecate.

Inflammation and malignant tumors cause metabolic disorders and dysfunction of the genitals. To differentiate symptoms, clinical and biochemical blood and stool analysis, X-ray, anoscopy, rectoscopy, fibrocolonoscopy, and palpation of the posterior intestinal canal are performed.

[ 1 ]

Causes of pain in the rectum

1. An anal fissure is one of the most common causes of pain in the rectum. This pathology is characterized by intense pain, cramps, and bloody discharge in the stool. In some cases, constipation occurs, and less often, diarrhea. To establish a diagnosis, an examination of the anal canal is performed. The damage can be localized on the back or front wall of the anal canal. As a therapy in the acute phase of the disease, therapeutic baths are prescribed three times a day. In case of chronic fissures, surgery may be performed.
2. Paraproctitis. This disease is characterized by an inflammatory process of the anal glands located in the rectal sinuses. The main symptom is a painful pulsation in the back of the intestinal canal, often accompanied by fever. In the perineum or rectal canal, a dense or fluctuating formation is felt to the touch. Treatment is carried out surgically.
3. Damage to hemorrhoids. Painful sensations occur if an internal hemorrhoid falls out and gets pinched or if an external hemorrhoid becomes thrombosed. In the latter case, the pain syndrome is much stronger. A painful lump is felt in the anal canal, diarrhea or constipation occurs. If an internal node falls out, its reduction is indicated using local anesthesia. The doctor manually reduces the node, after which additional therapeutic procedures are prescribed.
4. Proctalgia. This type of pain may occur from time to time without organic damage to the posterior part of the intestinal canal. The presumed cause of this disorder is spasm of the anal muscles. The pathogenesis of the disease is practically not studied, which significantly complicates its treatment. The clinical picture of the disease includes symptoms such as severe painful sensations of a nagging nature or sudden pain in the rectum, accompanied by contractions. If the patient is standing, the pain is usually less pronounced. This pathology is preceded by trauma or surgical intervention on the pelvic organs. Treatment of the disease in each case is individual and requires consultation of such specialists as a psychotherapist, therapist, surgeon.

5. Coccygodynia. The development of this disease can be facilitated by trauma to the coccyx. Pain is usually felt when the patient is sitting or during bowel movements. Treatment for such conditions is carried out with conservative methods for six months.
6. Perianal hematoma. This disease is characterized by a neoplasm in the area of the anus, which occurs due to damage to the anal vein and is accompanied by painful sensations of varying intensity. As a rule, the disease goes away on its own within a few days.
7. An ulcerous formation in the anal canal. In addition to pain, this pathology is characterized by a sensation of a volumetric formation in the back of the intestinal canal, problems with bowel movements, bloody and mucous discharge from the rectum. The disease mainly affects young people. For treatment, nutritional correction is mainly prescribed.
8. Prostatitis in men. With this disease, pain can radiate to the rectum, accompanied by painful sensations when urinating, frequent urges to empty the bladder, fever. Treatment is prescribed by a urologist in accordance with the overall picture of the disease.
9. Ovarian cyst, inflammation of the pelvic organs in women. In females, diseases such as ovarian cyst or inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs can cause pain irradiation to the rectum. Elimination of discomfort and pain syndrome is carried out after a preliminary examination by the attending gynecologist.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Symptoms of Rectal Pain

Rectal pain and its accompanying symptoms are quite varied and may indicate various diseases. Rectal pain may cause constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, a sensation of a foreign body and bloody or mucous discharge from the anus, etc.

The nature of the pain is quite varied - from aching and pressing to sharp and intense. If the pain in the rectum is accompanied by exhaustion of the body, metabolic disorders, functioning of the genitals, this may be a symptom of tumor development. If the pain in the rectum is combined with painful cramping sensations in the abdomen, this may indicate Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. If the painful sensations in the abdomen are constant, we may be talking about the development of diverticulosis or diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, nonspecific ulcerative colitis. Often, pain in the rectum is combined with pain in the anus or perineum. Such pain can significantly increase after defecation and be a sign of thrombosis of hemorrhoids, acute paraproctitis or a crack in the anal canal. A symptom such as the release of mucus or purulent masses from the anus during defecation may occur with proctitis, fistulas of the posterior part of the intestinal canal, tumor formations. Mucus in the feces is present with irritable bowel syndrome. Bloody discharge in the feces is observed with hemorrhoids and anal fissures, Crohn's disease, colitis, diverticulosis. A symptom such as regular false urges to empty the bowels, accompanied by the release of mucous or bloody impurities, can lead to the formation of cracks or erosions and are the result of inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ]

When does the pain radiate to the rectum?

In cases where the pain radiates to the rectum, it can be a sign of a variety of pathologies. For example, with cystitis, the painful sensations arising from inflammation of the bladder often radiate to the anal canal, while its exact localization is not always clearly defined. A disease such as inflammation of the sigmoid colon can also provoke cases when the pain radiates to the rectum. The sigmoid colon is actively involved in the process of digestion of food, when it is inflamed, intense cramping pains occur in the iliac region, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, rumbling, nausea, and the pain can radiate to the rectum. Pain can also radiate to the rectum with inflammation of the appendix, which is why a rectal examination is performed if appendicitis is suspected. In women, pain radiates to the rectum with ovarian cysts or inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs. In men, pain radiates to the anal canal with prostatitis.

Pain in the rectum at night

Night pain in the rectum often occurs with proctalgia - a disorder that manifests itself against the background of unfavorable emotional states and is caused by spasms in the rectum, most often the disease affects middle-aged men. With proctalgia, painful sensations can occur at night and last from several minutes to half an hour, disturbing the patient's sleep and rest, repeated attacks can occur repeatedly during the night, provoking pain syndrome of varying intensity. As a treatment, psychocorrection of the patient's condition is carried out, it is also possible to prescribe the drug salbutamol strictly according to the indications and recommendations of the doctor. Night pain in the rectum can occur with prolapse of the anal canal and be quite intense. Concomitant symptoms in this case are bloating, chills, diarrhea or constipation, increased sweating after the attack subsides.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Sharp pain in the rectum

A sharp pain in the rectum often occurs when a crack forms in it. Such painful sensations can appear both in the morning and at night, in the acute stage it increases with defecation, with the development of the chronic form it increases after defecation. Pain with a crack in the anal canal causes very sharp and long-lasting painful sensations, can be accompanied by pain in the sacrum and perineum, a failure of the menstrual cycle, heart pain, difficulties in emptying the bladder. The prognosis for the outcome of the disease is usually favorable, the symptoms of the disease disappear, but complete recovery does not happen often. Attacks of sharp pain in the rectum can also occur with proctalgia. Usually, the pain syndrome occurs spontaneously and is accompanied by a feeling of spasm. Pain with proctalgia is not associated with the process of defecation, radiates to the coccyx, anus, perineum, etc. It is believed that an attack of exacerbation of the disease can be provoked by strong emotional stress. Sometimes sharp painful sensations occur with hemorrhoids when the disease worsens. During this period, an increase in hemorrhoidal nodes, their swelling and redness are noted. Sharp pain in the rectum is also characteristic of such diseases as proctitis, paraproctitis, and with prolapse of the anal canal leads to shock. Sharp pain in the rectum occurs with many of its pathologies, depending on the severity of the disease. Thus, sharp pain in the rectum can bother with a crack in the anus, thrombosis of hemorrhoidal nodes, the development of an abscess, prolapse or prolapse of the anal canal, etc.

If you have a sharp pain in the rectum, this is a good reason to see a doctor. Only a qualified proctologist can determine the causes of the disease and prescribe the necessary therapeutic procedures using a digital examination and auxiliary diagnostic methods.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Throbbing pain in the rectum

Throbbing pain in the rectum is typical for paraproctitis, which can be acute or chronic. In the acute phase of the disease, an inflammatory process of the perirectal tissue occurs, accompanied by the formation of pus. The patient's body temperature rises, swelling and redness are observed in the anus. Constipation, diarrhea, physical activity, poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, and hypothermia can provoke the penetration of infection into the tissue. A small hole is formed in the places where the anal crypts are located, through which the infection penetrates, and, as a result, the inflammatory process develops. Throbbing pain is also noted with a perirectal abscess. With this disease, it is difficult for the patient to sit due to the formation of a hard swelling. The inflammatory process leading to the development of an abscess, as a rule, occurs due to damage to the mucous membrane of the anal canal, which subsequently becomes infected. To treat a perirectal abscess, it is opened and drained using anesthetics and antibacterial agents.

Dull pain in the rectum

Dull pain in the rectum is caused by the development of an abscess - a swollen red formation near the anus. Painful sensations increase when the patient sits, sneezes or coughs. Dull pain in the rectum may be accompanied by the release of purulent masses, constipation or diarrhea. A rectal tumor can also cause dull painful sensations radiating to the lumbar region. In this case, blood and mucus are released from the anus, a feeling of bloating, fullness and compression in the anus occurs, stool retention or diarrhea is noted.

[ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ]

Severe pain in the rectum

Severe pain in the rectum may occur with any of its pathologies, in particular, with such as anal fissure, paraproctitis, thrombosis of nodes, proctitis, prolapse or prolapse of the anal canal. With such a pathological process as anal fissure, intense painful sensations are combined with spasms of the anal sphincter, bloody discharge in the stool, constipation, the occurrence of perianal eczema, itching. Severe and excruciating pain occurs with prolapse of the anal canal. The causes of the development of such pathology include frequent straining, stool retention, injury to the anal muscles, as well as their changes associated with age factors, surgical interventions in the pelvic area. With the development of the disease, spontaneous passage of gases, liquid feces occurs, mucous and bloody discharge, itching in the anal area appears. The development of proctitis, which affects the intestinal mucosa and causes severe pain, may be associated with alcohol abuse, constipation, blood stagnation in the pelvis, helminthic invasion, hypothermia, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, and hemorrhoids.

Distending pain in the rectum

A bursting pain in the rectum occurs with thrombosis of hemorrhoids, and a sensation of a foreign body appears in the anus. The painful sensations are accompanied by pulsation, increase with sudden movements, during coughing, bowel movements, and also during palpation of the nodes. A bursting pain in the rectum can occur with the development of malignant tumors. Blood appears in the feces, the process of defecation also becomes painful, a foreign body is felt in the anal canal. Accompanying symptoms in malignant neoplasms also include the development of anemia, sudden weight loss, bloating and constipation. The pain radiates to the hips, lower abdomen, genitals. The disease often develops in elderly people. A bursting and aching pain in the rectum in women can be a symptom of an ovarian cyst. The discomfort is combined with irregularities in the menstrual cycle, nagging pain in the lower abdomen that becomes stronger during sexual intercourse, uterine bleeding, nausea and vomiting.

[ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Pulling pain in the rectum

Pulling pains in the rectum are most typical for inflammation of the perirectal tissues. With this pathology, there are false urges to defecate, general malaise, pain in the perineum and pelvic area. Depending on a number of accompanying symptoms, painful sensations can be of varying intensity - from moderate to severe. In women, pulling and bursting pains in the rectum can occur with the formation of ovarian cysts, various inflammatory diseases of the pelvic area. In men, pulling pains in the rectum can occur with prostatitis. Such a disorder as proctalgia, associated with muscle spasm of the anus, can also provoke pulling pains in the rectum. The etiology of this disease remains unclear. An attack of pain lasts from several minutes to half an hour, the pain radiates to the coccyx, perineum, and pelvic area. Painkillers for this disease are usually ineffective. Nervous tension, stress, and physical overload can provoke the development of proctalgia.

[ 17 ]

Pain in rectal cancer

Pain in rectal cancer is accompanied by bloody and purulent discharge in the stool, pain in the anus when emptying the intestines, itching, false urge to defecate, and can cause sensations of varying intensity and nature. As the disease progresses, the pain syndrome affects the lower abdomen and iliac region. The intensity of pain in rectal cancer does not depend on the stage of the disease and can be very strong in the presence of a small tumor or, conversely, moderate in the presence of severe disorders. Pain in rectal cancer usually occurs with local tumor growth, especially when it moves to nearby tissues and organs. However, if the tumor is localized in the anorectal area, pain occurs already at an early stage of the disease. Pain in rectal cancer is combined with a state of weakness, rapid fatigue, anemia, weight loss, pale skin color.

[ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ]

Treatment of rectal pain

To eliminate such a symptom as pain in the rectum, treatment is prescribed, first of all, based on the causes and type of disease. Thus, when treating internal hemorrhoids, the method of ligation with latex rings is used, with the help of which the blood flow to the hemorrhoidal nodes is blocked, as a result of which they dry up and are neutralized. When treating external hemorrhoids, the drug "Surgitron" is used. The walls of the hemorrhoidal node are affected by a flow of thermal energy, which leads to sclerosis of the node.

In case of rectal fissure at the initial stage of the disease, ointments and suppositories are used. Anuzol suppositories are administered rectally, one piece two or three times a day. The drug relieves itching, spasm and inflammation, has a drying and antiseptic effect. In case of fissures and hemorrhoids, hemorol suppositories are used, preferably after emptying the intestines. The drug is recommended to be administered one suppository at night, in severe forms of the disease - two or three suppositories during the day. The course of treatment is no more than seven days. Bezornil ointment for anal fissures and internal hemorrhoids is administered into the anus using a special tip twice a day, as well as after each bowel movement. The duration of treatment is two weeks. Anestezol suppositories are administered rectally after cleansing the intestines naturally or with an enema. The drug is used one or two times a day, one suppository.

In case of inflammation of the mucous membrane, a therapeutic diet, antibacterial therapy, enemas with collargol, chamomile are indicated. When the condition improves, oil enemas are done, sitz baths with potassium permanganate are prescribed.

When treating proctalgia, the patient's psycho-emotional state is corrected, sedatives are prescribed, novocaine blockades are prescribed during an exacerbation, oil microclysters with anesthetics are done, UHF therapy and diathermy are performed, and massage procedures are prescribed for spasms of the anal canal.

In case of paraproctitis, surgical intervention is performed, during which the abscess is opened and the internal opening of the fistula is neutralized.

When treating an anal ulcer, a therapeutic diet and laxatives are prescribed. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention is prescribed.

Treatment of coccygodynia is carried out using physiotherapy methods, paraffin applications, the use of therapeutic mud, etc. are prescribed. In case of severe pain syndrome, novocaine or lidocaine blockades and massage of the rectal muscles are indicated.