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What Causes Severe Rectal Pain And Blood In Stool?
Posted on
Tue, 20 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 20 Dec 2016
Answered on
Mon, 9 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : A couple of other doctors suggested I have an anal fissure. I hoped to follow up on that, and will provide a quick history to be as helpful as possible.
About three weeks ago (the end of November) I experienced moderately severe rectal pain, along with blood on the toilet tissue but not in the stool. The pain faded within a few days and has not been a problem since. When the pain first appeared, being in a hot shower noticeably relieved it. The blood on the toilet tissue still appears, although it seems to be less frequent now.
I have a persistent, but not severe, sense of rectal discomfort. There is a slight swelling (one doctor on here referred to it as a bulge) in the lower rectum. This has been present for about two weeks, and has neither grown nor diminished.
Also, a stool or sometimes mucous buildup around the rectum. I say buildup, because it's not actually a discharge that soils the clothes, although it's still unpleasant and inconvenient.
After a bowel movement I frequently feel that my bowels haven't been fully emptied. It's not constipation exactly, just a sense that the bowels could be further moved.
What I'm wondering is: If this is an anal fissure, is between four and six weeks a reasonable time to allow it to heal? Can anything be done about the stool/mucous discharge? And as regards the swelling or bulge, one doctor suggested this was a skin tag. Do skin diminish on their own?
Thank you so much. Any advice would be much appreciated.
About three weeks ago (the end of November) I experienced moderately severe rectal pain, along with blood on the toilet tissue but not in the stool. The pain faded within a few days and has not been a problem since. When the pain first appeared, being in a hot shower noticeably relieved it. The blood on the toilet tissue still appears, although it seems to be less frequent now.
I have a persistent, but not severe, sense of rectal discomfort. There is a slight swelling (one doctor on here referred to it as a bulge) in the lower rectum. This has been present for about two weeks, and has neither grown nor diminished.
Also, a stool or sometimes mucous buildup around the rectum. I say buildup, because it's not actually a discharge that soils the clothes, although it's still unpleasant and inconvenient.
After a bowel movement I frequently feel that my bowels haven't been fully emptied. It's not constipation exactly, just a sense that the bowels could be further moved.
What I'm wondering is: If this is an anal fissure, is between four and six weeks a reasonable time to allow it to heal? Can anything be done about the stool/mucous discharge? And as regards the swelling or bulge, one doctor suggested this was a skin tag. Do skin diminish on their own?
Thank you so much. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
May Procto-colitis causing the further problems.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/ 36 - Nov end - moderately severe rectal pain - blood on tissue paper - pain faded within a few days and no problem since then - but the blood on tissue paper still appears - rectal discomfort - bulge 2 weeks - built up stool and mucus around rectum - not soiling the clothes - feeling of incomplete evacuation - feels that bowel can further be moved - couple of Doctors suggested this to be anal fissure - wants to know whether 4-6 weeks be a reasonable time to heal - can anything be done about stool./mucus discharge - does the bulge or skin tag diminish on its own...
My thoughts:
This looks to be primarily Procto-colitis, meaning inflammation of the rectum and colon causing the mucus and feeling of inevacuation. The fissure and the bulge/ piles developed secondarily.
The resultant skin tag secondary to anal fissure usually diminishes but may not vanish completely.
This can be confirmed by
Per-rectal digital examination.
Ano-proctoscopy to start with and plan for colonoscopy.
Stool tests for a few more consecutive days.
This will get you the finial diagnosis and a plan for proper management.
This may include a course of an antibiotic, Metronidazole if there is an evidence of infection.
Probiotics and multivitamins.
Avoidance of the foods and beverages that you personally know about to instigate or enhance the problems that you have and to avoid them altogether.
Sitz bath before and after passing bowel movement.
Once the causative problems is well treated the fissure will heal on its own with proper care and medications, rarely needed a small surgery/Dilatation if there is spasm or fibrosis of internal sphincter.
I hope this answer helps you to understand the complexity of the problems, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
May Procto-colitis causing the further problems.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/ 36 - Nov end - moderately severe rectal pain - blood on tissue paper - pain faded within a few days and no problem since then - but the blood on tissue paper still appears - rectal discomfort - bulge 2 weeks - built up stool and mucus around rectum - not soiling the clothes - feeling of incomplete evacuation - feels that bowel can further be moved - couple of Doctors suggested this to be anal fissure - wants to know whether 4-6 weeks be a reasonable time to heal - can anything be done about stool./mucus discharge - does the bulge or skin tag diminish on its own...
My thoughts:
This looks to be primarily Procto-colitis, meaning inflammation of the rectum and colon causing the mucus and feeling of inevacuation. The fissure and the bulge/ piles developed secondarily.
The resultant skin tag secondary to anal fissure usually diminishes but may not vanish completely.
This can be confirmed by
Per-rectal digital examination.
Ano-proctoscopy to start with and plan for colonoscopy.
Stool tests for a few more consecutive days.
This will get you the finial diagnosis and a plan for proper management.
This may include a course of an antibiotic, Metronidazole if there is an evidence of infection.
Probiotics and multivitamins.
Avoidance of the foods and beverages that you personally know about to instigate or enhance the problems that you have and to avoid them altogether.
Sitz bath before and after passing bowel movement.
Once the causative problems is well treated the fissure will heal on its own with proper care and medications, rarely needed a small surgery/Dilatation if there is spasm or fibrosis of internal sphincter.
I hope this answer helps you to understand the complexity of the problems, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Chandrakant, thank you so much for your great and helpful reply. Based on what you say, it would be best to go ahead and see a doctor in case of an infection, yes? I hoped to clear this problem with home remedies, at least until the six-week mark. But if there is infection, it should be treated promptly?
Is procto-colitis the same thing as proctitis? I ask because none of the major risk factors of proctitis apply to me.
Many thanks again, sir.
Is procto-colitis the same thing as proctitis? I ask because none of the major risk factors of proctitis apply to me.
Many thanks again, sir.
Brief Answer:
As explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum. When added on by inflammation of colon with which the rectum is in continuity it is called Procto-colitis.
The cause are so many, infection being one of them.
Please go for thorough clinical evaluation, examination and investigations to get the correct diagnosis so that a proper treatment can be planned.
In many cases the role of the stress and/or anxiety is also contributory and a good control over these can really help.
Please give feedback once well diagnosed.
As explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum. When added on by inflammation of colon with which the rectum is in continuity it is called Procto-colitis.
The cause are so many, infection being one of them.
Please go for thorough clinical evaluation, examination and investigations to get the correct diagnosis so that a proper treatment can be planned.
In many cases the role of the stress and/or anxiety is also contributory and a good control over these can really help.
Please give feedback once well diagnosed.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Chandrakant,
Thank you for asking for feedback and your continued concern.
I saw a doctor today and had a physical exam. He diagnosed me with an external hemorrhoid and recommended a course of treatment. I noted to him the concern about a possible infection, but he said that in the absence of other symptoms, such as fever, etc, that was unlikely.
Many thanks again for your input and for urging me to see a doctor. I may not have done so otherwise.
Thank you for asking for feedback and your continued concern.
I saw a doctor today and had a physical exam. He diagnosed me with an external hemorrhoid and recommended a course of treatment. I noted to him the concern about a possible infection, but he said that in the absence of other symptoms, such as fever, etc, that was unlikely.
Many thanks again for your input and for urging me to see a doctor. I may not have done so otherwise.
Brief Answer:
Good to have got diagnosed.
Detailed Answer:
Proper diagnosis alone can lead to a proper treatment, hence the insistence.
Good that the diagnosis is done know.
Fever will be present if there is an infection.
But there are some conditions related to stress and/or anxiety wherein one gets the feelings/suffering as having some discomfort, pain, feeling of incomplete evacuation and so on. There may be normal appearance on colonoscopy/ proctoscopy and hence goes in favor of IBS that is irritable bowel syndrome - this is just a possibility I wanted to mention for your knowledge.
Take care, take proper treatment.
Have a great day.
Good to have got diagnosed.
Detailed Answer:
Proper diagnosis alone can lead to a proper treatment, hence the insistence.
Good that the diagnosis is done know.
Fever will be present if there is an infection.
But there are some conditions related to stress and/or anxiety wherein one gets the feelings/suffering as having some discomfort, pain, feeling of incomplete evacuation and so on. There may be normal appearance on colonoscopy/ proctoscopy and hence goes in favor of IBS that is irritable bowel syndrome - this is just a possibility I wanted to mention for your knowledge.
Take care, take proper treatment.
Have a great day.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank you again, sir. I'll keep in mind all you say and try to reduce stress, as well. I'm sure that can have many ill health effects beyond even this one.
You have a great day, too.
You have a great day, too.
Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Keep the follow up posted.
Wishing you all the best.
...
You may please rate this answer before closure of the discussion and can certainly contact me on the bellow link in future, whenever you may need me.
http://bit.ly/askdrtchandrakant
Thanks for your appreciation.
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Keep the follow up posted.
Wishing you all the best.
...
You may please rate this answer before closure of the discussion and can certainly contact me on the bellow link in future, whenever you may need me.
http://bit.ly/askdrtchandrakant
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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