What are the most common symptoms:
Nodules, itchiness, pain, bleeding, wet burning sensation, constipation, incontinence (problems in holding back stool).
- Itchiness:
Also known as pruritus ani, is mainly caused by dermatological disorders like excema, allergies, but also genital warts.
- Pain:
The cause of pain can be abscesses, anal vein thrombosis, but also malignant conditions (often in association with bleeding from the anus).
- Bleeding:
The cause can be haemorrhoids, intestinal polyps or bowel cancer. In cases of bleeding a physician must be seen.
- Bowel movement difficulties:
These can present as constipation, incomplete emptying of the bowel, or runny stool. Problems holding stool or occasional leakage of stool are also relevant.
Which criteria describe constipation?
When at least two or more of the following apply:
- Pressing to enable defecation (in at least 25% of bowel movements)
- Very solid stool (in at least 25% of bowel movements)
- Sensation of incomplete bowel movement (in at least 25% of bowel movements)
- Sensation of blockage when trying to empty bowel (in at least 25% of bowel movements)
- Manual assistance using finger or other (in at least 25% of bowel movements)
- Less than 3 bowel movements per week
Causes
An internal rectal prolapse, an external rectal prolapse, or a rectocele prolapse can hinder the passage of stool from the sigmoid colon to the rectum. A normal passage of stool is not possible anymore.
