3 Common Anorectal Problems YOU Need To Know

anorectal problems

Anorectal diseases are fairly common among individuals of various ages in our country. Such anorectal disorders can be caused by diet, lifestyle, body structure, or bacteria present in the waste produced by the body. The most common of these are:

1. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids or piles are inflamed and swollen veins present just inside the anus. They can cause bleeding, pain, and extreme discomfort while passing stool. If you have piles, you will be advised to manage your diet and eat fiber-rich, healthy food and drink a lot of water to prevent the formation of hard stool, which can be very painful to pass.

2. Anal fissure

An anal fissure is another painful problem affecting the anus in which tears or cracks develop in the anus lining. Anal fissures are often confused with piles as they both can cause similar symptoms but are actually different conditions. Just like for piles, individuals with anal fissures have to maintain an intake of a fiber-loaded diet to prevent painful, hard stools. Both anal fissures and piles often worsen with passing hard stool.

3. Anal fistula

An anal fistula is a small tunnel that develops between the end of the bowel and anus and is often caused by an infection near the anus that causes an accumulation of pus (or abscess) in the nearby tissues. After the pus drains away, it can leave a small tunnel or fistula behind. Proctologists typically recommend an individual to eat a diet that includes raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts to decrease the symptoms of anal fistula and support healing.

To know more about treatment options for anorectal problems at Pristyn Care, speak with our experts. Book an appointment NOW!

How To Treat Anorectal Problems

In the majority of the cases, individuals suffering from piles, fissures, or fistula have to make compromises in their diet and stick to a specific diet in order to prevent flare-ups. Nonsurgical treatment and management of anorectal diseases (including piles, fissures, and fistula) may take a long time and the individual is required to stick to a specific diet that prevents hard stool and straining while passing stool.

It can obviously become very difficult and stressful to quit your regular diet and eliminate your favorite foods for a couple of weeks. This can be a bigger problem for individuals who often experience flare-ups or recurrence of the condition. If you are suffering from piles, fissures, or fistula, you should stick to the diet prescribed by the doctor until the wound heals.

The next option is to use medications that include over-the-counter painkillers, ointments, creams, and pads all of which can help soothe redness and swelling around the anus. It’s important to remember that over-the-counter medications can help manage the symptoms of piles but do not treat them. Hence, consult your doctor to get the right treatment to treat the condition. Also, some doctors may prescribe laxatives for piles caused by constipation. Laxatives help you to pass stool more easily and reduce pressure on your lower colon.

But if dietary changes and medications fail to improve your condition, then surgery can also be an option. There are minimally invasive treatments for such anorectal problems which can permanently cure the problem with the least involvement of sutures, pain, and blood loss. The use of laser energy will afflict minimal trauma to the nearby tissue and thus will encourage faster healing and speedy recovery. Most individuals can resume their regular lifestyle and diet 2-3 days post the surgery. And above all, unlike any other treatments (surgical and nonsurgical) for piles, anal fissure, or anal fistula, laser surgery has the highest success rate and minimal recurrence rate.

With the use of the most advanced surgical techniques and USFDA laser devices, proctologists at Pristyn Care are trained and skilled in performing laser surgeries for anorectal problems such as piles, fissures, and fistula.

Bottom line:

Having an anal disease like piles, fistula or fissure can be very troubling and annoying, especially when you cannot eat as you please. One may also feel embarrassed to talk about their anal troubles with anyone else, which can stop them from getting the right treatment. But as an old wise man once said, there should be no shame and secrets with your doctor. You need to realize that a doctor is there for your help and understands that you may not be comfortable sharing your problems. But you can only avail the right treatment when you openly discuss your concerns, symptoms, and expectations with a doctor. The more details you can share about your condition, the better the doctor will be able to help you.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article powered by Pristyn Care. The information provided in this article in the form of text, tips, suggestions, and products, which comprises general advice for consumers. 1mg does not endorse any brands and is not responsible for their efficacy.

References:

1. Foxx-Orenstein AE, Umar SB, Crowell MD. Common anorectal disorders. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2014;10(5):294-301. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4076876/

2. Zaghiyan KN, Fleshner P. Anal fissure. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):22-30.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140330/

3. Bailey HR. Approaches to Anorectal Disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):3-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4755764/

4. Lohsiriwat V. Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management. World J Gastroenterol. 2012;18(17):2009-2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3342598/

5. Sanchez C, Chinn BT. Hemorrhoids. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):5-13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140328/

6. Ratto C, Donisi L, Parello A, Litta F, Doglietto GB. Evaluation of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization as a minimally invasive therapeutic approach to hemorrhoids. Dis Colon Rectum. 2010 May;53(5):803-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20389215/

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