INTRODUCTION

Anal fissures are one of the top causes of rectal pain and bleeding. However, a fissure isn’t the only problem that’s potentially responsible for these issues.

If you are encountering these issues, getting early treatment is essential, not only to give you relief from your symptoms, but also because rectal pain and bleeding may signal the presence of an infection or a serious condition like anal cancer, says a well-known proctologist in Kolkata.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECTAL BLEEDING

Rectal bleeding isn’t the same as bleeding from a cut or wound. Instead of a stream of blood, rectal (anal) bleeding is usually bright red and appears on toilet paper and in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. You may also notice some spotting on your underwear.

When you have blood in your stool, it may look red, maroon, or black. Maroon and black colors indicate the bleeding originated higher up in your intestines. For example, you may have polyps that are bleeding.

OTHER CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE RECTAL BLEEDING AND PAIN

Of all the other conditions that cause rectal bleeding and pain, the most common causes include hemorrhoids, anal abscesses and fistulas and proctitis, says the best fissure doctor in Kolkata.

HEMORRHOIDS

Hemorrhoids develop when excessive pressure causes enlarged veins inside your rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or around the anus (external hemorrhoids). This type of pressure often comes from straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, and sitting on the toilet for too long.

ANAL ABSCESS OR FISTULA

An abscess develops when a collection of pus forms near the anus. In most cases, the condition develops in the glands lining your anus.

An anal fistula is a small tunnel that develops due to an abscess. The tunnel creates an abnormal connection between the abscess and the skin on your anus, says the expert of laser fissure surgery in Kolkata.

Both conditions cause pain, swelling, and redness around your anus. An abscess causes pain around the anus that’s constant or occurs during bowel movements. Though abscesses and fistulas cause bleeding, it’s also common to have a discharge that contains pus and blood.

PROCTITIS

Proctitis occurs when the rectal lining becomes inflamed. The inflammation often develops due to an infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer treatment.

In addition to causing rectal bleeding and pain around your anus, you may have symptoms such as frequently feeling the urge to have a bowel movement, passing mucus, and not completely emptying your bowel, says the well-known proctologist in Kolkata.

ANAL CANCER SYMPTOMS

Anal cancer isn’t as common as colon cancer, but you should still be aware of its symptoms so you can get help as early as possible.

The symptoms include:

  • Bleeding from the rectum
  • Pain in the anal area
  • Itching in or around the rectum
  • A lump or mass at the anal opening
  • Narrowing of stool or other changes in bowel movements

Minor bleeding that’s similar to anal fissures and hemorrhoids can be an early symptom of anal cancer, says the expert of laser fissure surgery in Kolkata.