What causes anal pain?
Sep 22, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Introduction
Anal pain may be caused by improper diet, local irritation, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, proctitis, or other reasons. To prevent anal pain, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid excessive irritation to the anal area—such as by using soft toilet paper and wearing loose, breathable underwear—and to maintain healthy bowel habits to reduce the occurrence of constipation and diarrhea.
Under normal circumstances, anal pain may be caused by improper diet, local irritation, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, proctitis, or other reasons. If the above conditions occur, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Improper Diet
Long-term consumption of spicy, greasy, and irritating foods may lead to constipation or dry stools. Excessive straining during defecation or hard feces can injure the anal mucosa or anal canal, resulting in anal pain. It is important to adjust dietary habits in daily life and reduce the intake of spicy and greasy foods.
2. Local Irritation
Using coarse toilet paper, excessive cleaning, wearing tight or non-breathable underwear, and similar practices may irritate the skin around the anus and cause pain. It is advisable to avoid using rough toilet paper and instead use soft, fragrance-free wet wipes or tissues.
3. Proctitis
Proctitis can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, and other factors. Inflammation of the rectum leads to congestion and swelling of the rectal mucosa, stimulating nerves around the anus and causing anal pain. Symptoms may include pain and diarrhea. Treatment under a doctor's guidance may involve medications such as levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, mesalazine enteric-coated tablets, and montmorillonite powder.
4. Anal Fissure
Chronic constipation, diarrhea, or excessive straining during bowel movements may lead to anal fissures. These factors can cause tearing of the skin layer in the anal canal, forming ulcers. The passage of stool irritates the ulcer surface during defecation, causing pain. Symptoms may include cyclical pain and rectal bleeding. Treatment should follow medical advice and may include topical medications such as glyceryl trinitrate ointment, compound lidocaine cream, and recombinant human epidermal growth factor gel.
5. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are primarily associated with constipation, prolonged sitting, obesity, and similar factors. Once formed, the blood vessels around the anus become congested and swollen, potentially leading to thrombosis or prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue, which stimulates surrounding nerves and causes pain. Other symptoms may include anal itching and rectal bleeding. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as Ma Yinglong Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment, Pujin Hemorrhoid Suppositories, and diosmin tablets.
To prevent anal pain, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid excessive irritation to the anal area (such as using soft toilet paper and wearing loose, breathable underwear), and develop healthy bowel habits to reduce the occurrence of constipation and diarrhea.
