What Causes Severe Pain In The Anus During A Bowel Movement?

Posted on Sat, 13 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Answered on

Fri, 3 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I get a pain/pressure in my anus that becomes increasingly painful. I feel like I have to void, but nothing comes out. It makes me light-headed and break out in a cold sweat. Then I end up passing out. It usually happens before I get the flu, but sometimes it happens when I suspect I have eaten something that upsets my stomach. It only occurs once or twice a year, but when it does, it is unnerving.

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Vagal activity or inhibitory action due to parasympathetic nervous system

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

1. Before or during flu, due to dehydration (secondary to fever), stools could have become hard, and during passage of stools, could have caused an ulcer in the anal region.
2. This could be the cause of pain, which gives a feeling of pressure and need to void.
3. When excess pressure is exerted towards passage of stool, parasympathetic activity (vagal activity or inhibitory activity) is increased, which reduces the heart rate leading to low blood pressure and hence light headedness and sweating. This light headedness if persistent could lead to syncope attack.
4. During these episodes, adequate hydration along with fiber rich diet to make stools soft, will be helpful. Avoid exerting pressure. Passing out at this age, could lead to severe injuries. Maintain adequate hydration (atleast daily 6-7 liters of water), which could reduce any hard stools formation.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar