Pain during bowel movements
Pain during defecation is not only a limitation of the quality of life in women and men. They can also indicate serious illnesses, so that persistent pain during bowel movements should be examined by a doctor.
What is pain with bowel movements?
Painful defecation is one of the most commonly reported health problems in both men and women. These can arise for a variety of reasons. Small tears in the mucous membrane in the anal area, local inflammation and hemorrhoids can cause bowel movements with burning pain.
Chronic constipation also has a negative effect on bowel movements. In addition to the painful sensations, itching and weeping on the anus can occur, which should be clarified medically. Serious illnesses can lie behind the pain during bowel movements.
causes
There are many different causes of painful bowel movements. In most cases, these are only minor injuries in the anus area, which lead to so-called anal fissures.The resulting pain can be very severe, but will subside after just a few days. A diet-related stool that is too hard or too thin can also be the cause of the sensation of pain. Furthermore, abscesses on the anus, hemorrhoids and some sexually transmitted diseases are among the classic reasons.
Occasionally, the bowel emptying pains are a symptom of an organic disease in the rectum. These include the formation of thrombosis and smaller blood clots in the anus vessels. In addition, pain during bowel movements is one of the typical accompanying symptoms of anal and rectal cancer.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
Painful defecation often leads to suppression of bowel movements. If the person concerned has not drained for more than 48 hours or if there is an unpleasant and strong feeling of pressure in the intestine, he should consult a doctor. This constipation can lead to other problems in the intestinal tract that need to be prevented. If the pain during defecation increases in intensity, a doctor should be consulted. If the pain persists for several days, it is also advisable to contact a doctor.
If symptoms such as blood in the stool or skin changes on the anus occur, a doctor must carry out further examinations. Spreading pain, which also occurs when urinating or during sexual activities, should be clarified by a doctor. If the sensation of pain occurs when moving or sitting, medical care must be sought.
As soon as the affected person suffers from a reduction in their well-being due to the pain during bowel movements, a doctor’s visit is necessary. If emotional or psychological problems occur, a doctor should be consulted to rule out the risk of further illnesses. If the pain during defecation leads to reduced food intake and thus weight loss , a doctor’s visit is necessary. There is a risk of an undersupply of the organism with vital nutrients, which can lead to organic damage.
diagnosis and course
The course of the pain during bowel movements depends on the cause of the symptoms. In most cases, the unpleasant sensations during defecation are felt only occasionally. If the triggers of the symptoms are not eliminated, the pain usually increases significantly as the condition progresses.
In order to find out the cause behind the pain, the family doctor or a proctologist is usually consulted. This usually has a sample of the stool taken to look for any bacteria or viruses . A visual diagnosis provides information about whether there are external injuries to the intestine or anus. A manual palpation of the intestines can be used to look for swellings or ulcers. A colonoscopy can also be used to determine the cause of the pain during bowel movements .
complications
Of course, pain during bowel movements can also have various complications. This can lead to an anal fissure. An anal fissure is a tear in the area of the anus. This complication can occur when the stool is too hard or when there is excessive straining. However, this complication can be counteracted very well with appropriate anti-inflammatory ointments. If the pain during defecation is triggered by an abscess, the immune system may be weakened altogether.
An abscess is a very painful collection of pus. If this clinical picture is not treated by a doctor, the bacteria can spread throughout the body. The immune system is weakened and fever, chills or other cold symptoms often occur. In the worst case, it can even lead to blood poisoningoccur if bacteria and other pathogens enter the blood. With such a complication, of course, urgently consult a doctor. If hemorrhoids are responsible for the pain during bowel movements, bleeding and a strong feeling of irritation can occur. In addition, an open wound can develop on the anus, which must be treated with medication. Of course, other complications are not excluded. However, the points mentioned above are common complication complaints that can occur in connection with painful bowel movements.
treatment and therapy
The treatment of pain during defecation depends on its cause. In general, prescription drugs and natural products can be used for this. Drugs and remedies can be taken that serve to liquefy the bowel movements.
Changing your diet can also be part of the treatment. This usually makes it much easier to empty your bowels.If there are injuries or swellings in the area of the anus, special ointments can also be used. These relieve pain and are anti-inflammatory. Thus, a sensitive anus can be calmed quickly and effectively.
The effect can also be achieved via problem-specific suppositories. Some doctors also recommend sitz baths, which contain additives designed to naturally reduce the uncomfortable sensation of bowel movements.
If the person concerned suffers from hemorrhoids , these can be sclerosed. Abnormal ulcers are removed through surgery. Tumor tissue can be combated with the help of radiation or chemotherapy. The treatment options for pain during bowel movements are therefore very diverse.
prevention
Pain during bowel movements without a serious pathological reason can be avoided by eating a healthy diet. This should always be balanced and contain a lot of fiber. This stimulates the activity of the intestines, which is conducive to pain-free emptying of the intestines. Adequate fluid intake also helps to prevent faeces from solidifying.
Gentle intimate hygiene, which prevents skin irritation and anal injuries, supports a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is no reliable prevention for some serious diseases that are hidden behind painful bowel movements.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.