Inflammation in the anus is a symptom that raises concerns for the sufferer, mainly because of its discomfort. This Inflammation is also known as proctitis, and its symptoms can be short-lived or chronic, depending on the cause that originates it. The causes of Inflammation of the anus can range from hemorrhoids and diseases that cause Inflammation in the digestive system to cancer.
Ideally, it would help if you visited a doctor from the first moment to avoid complications and to be able to diagnose any ailment in time. Aside from Inflammation in the anus, other symptoms can affect the area, such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and painful bowel movements. FastlyHealyou will learn more about Inflammation in the anus: causes of anal pain.
Table of Contents
Inflamed hemorrhoids
One of the most common causes of Inflammation of the anus is hemorrhoids, also known as piles, in which Inflammation occurs in the veins of the rectum. This Inflammation of the anus occurs when there is an increase in pressure, which different reasons can cause.
Here are the causes of hemorrhoids:
- Constipation during bowel movements.
- Overweight.
- Pregnancy.
- Standing or sitting for a long time.
- Diseases such as liver cirrhosis.
Hemorrhoids can occur both internally and externally. External hemorrhoids are visible and do not usually cause bleeding. On the other hand, in the case of internal hemorrhoids, there is the presence of bleeding during bowel movements, and, in the case of large ones, they can come out and cause what is known as a prolapse.
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids may be experienced, such as:
- Anal pain and swelling.
- Itching in the anus.
- Bleeding
- Bumps
If you want to know more about hemorrhoids completely, we recommend the article Hemorrhoids: types, symptoms, and treatments.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Any practice generating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can also cause proctitis. The sexually transmitted infections that can cause Inflammation in the anus are chlamydia and gonorrhea, transmitted by having sex without using a condom, especially in people who have several sexual partners or a partner with STDs.
Chlamydia
Although Inflammation of the anus can indicate chlamydia, symptoms are not usually evident, making it more challenging to diagnose the condition and can lead to possible complications.
This disease affects men and women by having anal, vaginal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is also transmitted by having unprotected sex by any of the routes described above, and both men and women can be infected.
Among the symptoms of gonorrhea, in addition to Inflammation of the anus, are:
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- White, green, or yellow secretions.
- Increased vaginal discharge.
Crohn’s disease
The Crohn ‘s disease is one of the causes of Inflammation of the anus: the origin is autoimmune and can probably be hereditary, but still no specific cause known for this to develop.
This disease is an inflammation of any part of the digestive system, produced by abnormal activity of your defenses in that area, allowing the mucosa of the walls of the intestines to overproduce, losing the ability to absorb water and thus generating ulcers. And severe diarrhea.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
- Inflammation of the anus.
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody diarrhea
- Anemia due to blood loss.
- Fatigue and tiredness
Treatment for this disease will be based on avoiding malnutrition that the loss of appetite and dehydration can generate.
Food will be essential, so you must follow a specific diet. If this is the reason for the Inflammation of the anus, you can consult our article on a diet for Crohn’s disease.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis can be another cause of Inflammation in the anus. This chronic disease primarily affects the colon and rectum. It may appear similar to Chron’s disease, but the other parts of the digestive system are not disturbed this time.
This disease is characterized by appearing in outbreaks, while in other periods, the person can continue their everyday life. There is no specific cause of ulcerative colitis, but those with a family history of ulcerative colitis may likely increase its risk.
Some symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:
- Diarrhea with blood or pus.
- Abdominal pain.
- Inflammation of the anus.
- Fever, if there is an infection.
See Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms and Treatment to learn more about ulcerative colitis.
Cancer of the anus
Although this type of cancer is rare, it can cause Inflammation of the anus. Rectal bleeding is the most common symptom of anal cancer, so that it can be mistaken for hemorrhoids. Discharges from the anus, itching, and swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area also occur.
This cancer spreads slowly and is relatively easy to treat if caught early; Although the cause is not clear, it can be linked to HPV infections; there are also risk factors that will increase the chances of suffering from it, such as:
- HIV infections.
- Promiscuous and anal sexual activity.
- Smoking
- Weak immune system
- It has more incidence in people older than 50 years.
Anal cancer treatment
Treatment will depend on the tumor’s location, cancer stage, and whether you have any other conditions that weaken the immune system.
In cases where cancer has not spread, radiotherapy and chemotherapy will be applied; on the contrary, a colostomy surgery would have to be done. The anus, rectum, and part of the colon would be removed.
Inflammation of the anus from radiation therapy
Radiation therapy used to treat cancer in the rectum or areas near the rectum can cause Inflammation in the anus. Proctitis can appear once treatment starts and lasts months or even years after receiving radiation therapy.
Some examples of areas that can receive radiation therapy and cause Inflammation of the anus are:
- Prostate.
- Ovaries
- Rectal cancer
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Inflammation in the anus: causes of anal pain, we recommend that you enter our category of Digestive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.