Talking about anal troubles can be embarrassing, and often we tend to be ignoring about them. But talk to your doctor about the same, especially if you have pain or bleeding. The more details you can share about your problem, the better your doctor will be able to address it.
What are ano-rectal disorders?
The anus is a part of the intestinal tract that passes through the muscular canal of the pelvis and anal sphincters. It is the opening of the rectum through which stool passes out of the body.
In adults, the length of the anal is around 4 to 5 cms—the lower half of the anal ends with nerves that send signals to the brain. There are blood vessels under the lining, and in its mid-portion, there are many tiny anal glands.
Anorectal disorders are a group of medical conditions that occur at the junction of the anal canal and the rectum. The problems with the anus are quite common, affecting people of all age groups or genders. Most anorectal disorders are treatable with the right approach.
Ayurveda treatment for anorectal disorders offers good results with customized medicines, diet, and lifestyle recommendations.
Types of anorectal disorders
There are majorly four anorectal disorders that cause pain and irritation:
Anal fissure – An anal fissure is a linear split in the lining of the lower anal canal. An anal fissure usually occurs when hard or large stools overstretch the anal opening. The tear can cause intense pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
Acute anal fissures are shallow, while chronic anal fissures may go deeper through the anoderm, tearing the surface of the underlying muscle. Very rarely, anal fissures occur because of prolonged diarrhea, sexually transmitted disease or inflammatory bowel disease, or IBS.
Anal abscess – An anal abscess is a swollen and painful collection of pus near the anus. Most anal abscesses are not caused due to serious health problems but occur spontaneously for reasons not clear yet. Yet science has backed some causes, including anal infection or blocked glands, sexually transmitted disease, to name a few. The symptoms that appear include constipation, pain, and fever.
Most anal abscesses develop near the opening of the anus but also can occur deeper in the anal canal, closer to the lower colon or pelvic organs.
Anal fistula – An anal fistula is an abnormal narrow tunnel-like way, which is usually an old anal abscess remnant after it has been drained. The tunnel connects the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus. Mostly when it drains out naturally or by a physician, anal fistula likely develops half of the time. The opening of the fistula at the skin secretes pus or fluid-filled with blood. Rarely, the opening of the fistula shuts down temporarily, causing the old abscess to blaze up again, filled with pus.
Hemorrhoids – They appear to be the swollen veins in the lower rectum, usually painless. But these blood vessels in small hemorrhoids at the edge of the anal orifice clots. Internal hemorrhoids may lead to bleeding, whereas, external hemorrhoids may be painful, swollen, hard, and cause bloody discharge.
Symptoms
The signs of anorectal disorders are very common that people often tend to ignore in the early stages. Bleeding is one of the most severe complications or signs linked to disorders of anorectal.
The usual signs that likely may occur, include:
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Pus discharge
- Persistent itching
- Blood and swelling around the rectum and anus
- Diarrhea
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have pain during bowel movements and bleeding.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare team may use different techniques to evaluate the type of anorectal disorder, including:
- Anoscopy: This procedure uses a small tube called an anoscope to view the lining of the anus and rectum.
- Colonoscopy: It can help find the underlying cause of anorectal disorders in the part of the intestine called the colon. Mostly, it is used to screen colorectal cancer.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): This test examines the lower rectum, pelvic area, etc. This will help them diagnose cancer, including prostate cancer or a mass in the anus.
- Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-rayRadiography): This is an X-ray of the large intestine.
- Lower GI Series (Barium Enema): Using X-rays to view large intestines. With the help of the x-rays, the doctor will be able to rule out the cause of bleeding in the anus, chronic diarrhea, changes in the bowel movement, and pain in the abdomen.
Ayurvedic treatment for anorectal disorders
The ayurvedic treatment for anorectal problems is disease-dependent. Anorectal disorders rarely get better on their own and may require surgery if left untreated. So the medicines at AyuKarma usually include para surgical treatment like Kshasutra and Agnikarma. Along with these procedures, diet and lifestyle management go along with the recovery process.
Ayurvedic herbs are the best medicines to heal anal and rectum, prevent the recurrence of anorectal disorders, and minimize the risk of further infections.