Pain in the buttocks indicates the presence of pathologies, such as:
- lumbosacral radiculitis,
- formation of phlegmon and abscesses,
- osteomyelitis,
- furuncle
- or is considered a consequence of muscle overexertion.
Pain in the buttocks can also be caused by:
- osteochondrosis,
- coccyx cyst,
- intervertebral hernia.
If there is a disease in the lower parts of the spine, due to the location of the nerves, the pain may radiate to the legs or buttocks.
To diagnose the cause of pain, the patient should determine the nature, intensity and painful location. We recommend that you contact experienced proctologists.
The buttocks are considered symmetrical parts of the body and represent, figuratively speaking, a “layer cake”. The first, top layer is the skin. The second is the tissue of the left and right gluteal muscles, respectively. The third layer is represented by subcutaneous fat, which is located directly under the muscles and, in comparison with other parts of the body, is considered the most developed.
Pain in the butt occurs in any of the balls. A painful process in the buttocks indicates the consequences of an injury, the presence of an infectious or inflammatory process in the body, or muscle pathologies.
Types of hemorrhoids
The pathological condition of the rectum in women and men can be expressed in the following forms:
- external;
- internal;
- combined.
If nodes and seals are visible to the naked eye, then we are talking about external hemorrhoids. In the case when hemorrhoidal cones are beyond the reach of a person’s vision, inside the rectum, then this type of disease can safely be called internal. If there are formations of dense tissue both inside and outside, then this is a combined type. Let us dwell in more detail on internal hemorrhoids.
Signs of bowel disease
Pain in the lower intestines can appear not only with damage to the rectum, but also with diseases of the higher parts of the digestive tract. Rectal pain often accompanies rectal colitis and Crohn's disease, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Along with pain during a pathological process in the intestines, the following are observed:
- cramps and pain in the stomach;
- diarrhea;
- loss of appetite;
- bleeding from the anus or blood in the stool.
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids: symptoms in the initial stages are difficult for the patient to determine. There are no visible manifestations of this disease, and painful sensations can be attributed to other diseases or general malaise. The early period of the disease is not characterized by bleeding or prolapse of hemorrhoids. A slight discomfort during defecation, a slight burning sensation in the anus in the rhythm of constant time pressure can simply not be noticed or not given due importance. Of course, when the disease begins to progress, the symptoms also change. Nodes of enlarged hemorrhoidal veins do not allow stool to pass painlessly through the rectum. They squeeze it, narrowing the passage and making each bowel movement painful, and sometimes even excruciating. Itching and burning intensify; this can be facilitated by mucous discharge that accompanies the disease in more advanced stages. A person feels a terribly unpleasant odor when defecating, and underwear can also have a characteristic amber. This can lead anyone into a state of panic, especially women. In addition to the smell, mucous discharge irritates the anal area and can lead to inflammatory processes in this place. Any slightest movement can cause unbearable pain in a person; the feeling of discomfort does not go away either in movement or at rest. It always seems to a person that there is something foreign in the anus. This sensation is caused by swelling of the rectum and an increase in the size of the hemorrhoids. Both women and men may have blood in their stool during bowel movements. Representatives of the fairer sex may not attach much importance to this if such a phenomenon occurs during the period when women are menstruating. Bloody discharge may at first appear only as small specks in the stool, and then, as the disease progresses, even trickle down the toilet and leave marks on the underwear. Bowel movements may be accompanied by severe pain, and there are frequent cases of hemorrhoidal cones falling out. At first, a person can straighten these seals into the inside of the rectum himself, but a moment may come when only doctors can do this. Another symptom of internal hemorrhoids is the formation of cracks. As the cones grow, the rectal mucosa cannot stand it and bursts, leading to the appearance of cracked fragments. This is an additional source of pain, from which it is difficult to protect both women and men.
Causes of pain in the buttocks
Medical experts identify the following causes of butt pain:
- herniated intervertebral discs in the lumbar region;
Acute severe pain radiating to the buttock is observed with herniated intervertebral discs in the lumbar region. Pain first occurs in the lower back - directly in the place where the affected disc is located, then goes down to the buttock and lower along the back of the thigh. The pain occurs only on the right or left, depending on which side the nerve is affected. Weakness occurs in the leg on the affected side, skin sensitivity is impaired, and discomfort is noted in the anal area.
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
The patient feels discomfort in the buttocks. The condition is accompanied by nagging pain.
- excessive muscle tension;
Severe pain in the butt indicates excessive muscle tension. Such symptoms are observed in athletes and people involved in physical labor.
- sciatic nerve neuralgia;
With neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, the patient experiences severe pain in the thigh and anus. The pain intensifies with movement and turning.
- infections of the female genital tract;
Severe cutting pain in the anus can be observed in women who have problems with the female genital organs. To establish an accurate diagnosis, you should visit a gynecologist.
- arthritis and arthrosis;
With arthritis and arthrosis, inflammation of the joints of other organs is recorded in the patient. The main symptom of this disease is pain between the buttocks while walking. To prevent the development of arthritis and arthrosis, the patient should visit a neurologist and orthopedist. Health care providers will prescribe medications, healing ointments, exercise therapy, and physical therapy.
- infection;
Pain in the anus after diarrhea indicates the presence of an infectious disease in the human body. The patient undergoes tests and visits a urologist.
Features of internal hemorrhoids in women
Hemorrhoids can be called a “bisexual” disease, equally likely to affect both women and men. But the physiological characteristics of women can become a factor leading to hemorrhoids. This disease can manifest itself in the fairer sex for a number of reasons:
- Features of physiology. During menstruation, the vessels of the pelvic organs are filled with blood and this is an unfavorable moment for the appearance of hemorrhoids.
- Some gynecological diseases.
- Passion for diets. It's no secret that figure is very important for women. Throwing yourself into the loophole of certain dietary restrictions can lead to chronic constipation, which can negatively affect the condition of the rectum.
- Pregnancy. At this time, women’s motor activity decreases, the load on the entire body and on the vessels in the pelvic area also increases. Pregnant women often suffer from constipation. The enlarged uterus compresses the pelvic vessels.
- Childbirth. There is even a special term - postpartum hemorrhoids. During the birth of the baby, cracks may occur when pushing. Lumps in the anus and rectum.
Definition.
Anal pain, as well as pain around the anus or in the rectal area (perianal area), is a fairly common complaint.
Although most causes of anal pain are not related to serious problems, it can become a problem in itself due to the intensity associated with the presence of many nerve endings in the perianal area. Some causes of anal pain can also cause bleeding from the rectum (rectal bleeding), which is a more serious symptom.
The causes of anal pain are usually fairly easy to diagnose. It can be treated well with over-the-counter pain relievers and hot water (sitz baths).
Possible complications
Due to the fact that internal hemorrhoids are much more difficult to diagnose than external hemorrhoids, you can skip the period of possible effective treatment. The effectiveness of all procedures aimed at combating the disease depends on the period in which the patient sought help at the hospital. It is very important for both women and men to pay great attention to their health and undergo regular, complete examinations whenever possible. If, nevertheless, the onset of the disease is missed, then this can lead to such troubles as anemia, strangulation of the node and the occurrence of thrombosis. Anemia occurs due to the fact that a person begins to lose blood with each bowel movement, and with each subsequent time more and more. A lack of hemoglobin will result in weakness, rapid fatigue, and a constant desire to lie down and rest. Thrombosis of hemorrhoids is formed due to the fact that blood stagnates in the area of the body responsible for emptying. Severe pain is the main characteristic of this problem. If inflammation is added to this, then you may encounter an even greater problem - damage to the perirectal tissue.
Proctalgia
Proctalgia is a pain syndrome that occurs with muscle spasms in the rectum and anus. The duration of pain during the disease depends on the duration of the spasm. Painful attacks can last from a few seconds to several hours. The frequency of spasms during proctalgia can be influenced by defecation and its disturbances, and sexual activity. The pain can be sharp, sudden, and also intensifies when sitting.
Since painful attacks in most cases are short-term and end on their own, treatment is not carried out. With greater duration and frequency of pain, warm baths and local remedies to relieve spasm of the rectal muscles help reduce symptoms.
Timely diagnosis
To avoid hemorrhoids and possible complications, it is necessary to identify the disease at its earliest stages. Internal hemorrhoids can be detected by digital examination of the rectum, feeling for compaction of the hemorrhoidal veins. But such an examination is effective only when the nodes are located low. If the cones are located high up, then only modern equipment can help in diagnosing the disease. Anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are the most common techniques. In the first case, a special tube with an optical device is used, which allows one to examine the rectal mucosa over a ten-centimeter length. If the hemorrhoids are located even higher, then you cannot do without the help of a sigmoidoscope. The rectum at a distance of 25 cm will be “in full view” to the doctor. If the patient states that during defecation he himself observed the prolapse of nodes, then a diagnosis can be made based on this reliable fact. True, unfortunately, for the patient the stage of the disease in this case is later, and therefore less treatable.
What causes pain with anal fissure?
Initially, an anal fissure is accompanied by short-term acute pain that occurs during bowel movements, and the appearance of a streak of blood on the surface of the stool or bloody spots on toilet paper. If in this case complex treatment was not carried out or pain therapy was inadequate, the pathological process enters the chronic stage. The pain becomes constant, and vasospasm of the anal area occurs. The mucous membrane of the rectal canal suffers from oxygen starvation, and healing of the resulting defect does not occur.
The edges of the fissure are calloused; at its bottom, doctors find fibers of the internal anal sphincter. A vicious circle arises: pain with anal fissure causes ischemia of the mucous membrane, which increases the severity of the pain syndrome. Patients have a fear of defecation. They retain stool, and during defecation they feel severe pain when a hard fecal lump passes through the spasmodic sphincter. With persistent spasm of the anal sphincter, a painless act of defecation with anal fissure becomes impossible. In this case, proctologists prescribe drugs that have an antispasmodic effect or perform an injection of botulinum toxin into the anal sphincter.
The main complication of anal fissure is inflammation of the rectum, acute paraproctitis. It develops due to the entry of pathological microorganisms through a defect in the mucous membrane into the tissue surrounding the rectum. When an anal fissure hurts, the process of urination may be disrupted.
Conclusion
I would like to draw a conclusion from all of the above - you should not delay going to the doctor if you notice at least one of the signs of internal hemorrhoids:
- itching;
- burning;
- pain during bowel movements;
- appearance of blood in the stool;
- mucous, odorous discharge;
- prolapse of hemorrhoidal cones.
If you find such signs in yourself, do not panic, but pull yourself together and find a good proctologist. Hemorrhoids can be treated successfully if all medical instructions are followed. You should not discount traditional methods (as an addition to the main treatment) or lifestyle changes. Start eating right, sign up for a fitness center, give up bad habits - success will definitely be on your side!
Paraproctitis
Paraproctitis is a serious inflammatory disease that affects the tissue around the rectum and anus, which is accompanied by the discharge of pus. The disease is caused by bacterial pathogens and is accompanied by severe, acute pain. Pain syndrome with paraproctitis is often accompanied by:
- purulent discharge from the anus;
- swelling of surrounding tissues and irritation of the skin around the anus;
- false, painful urge to defecate;
- increased body temperature;
- general weakness.
How to get rid of pain in the anus?
The most reliable way to eliminate pain in the anus is to identify and treat their cause. Different medications are used for different diseases to both relieve and eliminate symptoms. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to treat infectious diseases, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to eliminate inflammation, and laxatives are prescribed to ease bowel movements.
While treatment continues, you can relieve pain by taking warm baths for 15-20 minutes. To normalize bowel movements, prevent constipation and prevent excessive strain during bowel movements, you should adjust your diet by consuming more fluids and foods rich in fiber. You can also use local anesthetics, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic drugs to eliminate pain in the anus. In many cases, rectal pain does not last long and goes away on its own without the need for treatment.