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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Medical Symptoms > Anal Discomfort
      Category : Health Centers > Digestive System

Anal Discomfort

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Pictures and Images | Attribution


The anus is the lowest part of the digestive tract, the opening from which stool is passed out of the body. Anal discomfort includes pain, itching, or burning.

What is going on in the body?

Discomfort in the anal area can take many forms, including pain, itching, or burning. It is rarely life threatening, but it can be quite annoying. There are several possible causes.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Causes of anal discomfort include:

  • anal fissure, which is a small erosion or wearing away of the lining on the inside of the anus
  • anal fistula, which is an abnormal connection between two areas of the body
  • cancer or a tumor involving the anus, such as anal cancer
  • hemorrhoids, which are enlarged veins in the anal area
  • infections, including sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia
  • inflammatory bowel disease, which is a condition that causes inflammation of the bowel for unknown reasons
  • irritation of the anal skin or lining, which can be caused by excessive washing or an allergic reaction
  • pruritis ani, which is a general term for itchiness of the anus that often has no known cause
  • tenesmus, which is an urgent desire to move the bowels
  • trauma, which may be caused by anal sex
  • Other causes are also possible. Sometimes, no cause can be found.


       

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    Anal Discomfort: Symptoms & Signs

    Author: Adam Brochert, MD
    Reviewer: Melissa Sanders, PharmD
    Date Reviewed: 09/17/01









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    Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006