DIGESTIVE DISORDERS – Anal complaints – Seat (of)
disease
People often suffer from anal complaints when they suffer from digestive
disorders. It can also happen vice versa. To understand all about anal complaints,
everyone should know about the anus and its functions. Any complaint of the
anus makes everyone restless and won’t let them take their seat. Also, most of
the anal complaints are left untreated or maltreated due to shyness or
shamefulness to discuss/show the thing. For example, people may complain of
pile mass in anus, but it may actually be a residual of fissure (sentinel pile
– skin tag of linear crack). Likewise, some others may complain of pus
discharging boil near the anus, but actually it may be an opening of fistula
(tunnel passage from anal canal).
For normal good defecation, a good digestion is ultimately necessary i.e.
all the way starting from the mastication of food in the mouth. Our digestive
tract starts from the mouth (entry door of food) and ends in the anus (exit
door). Any food which enters the stomach needs to pass through the coiled small
intestines, where most of the nutrients get absorbed. For getting the nutrients
and water absorbed, food passes slowly through this long route by swaying
motion of the intestines. After reaching the caecum (first part of the large
intestine), food has to ascend with ascending colon and arches left with
transverse colon and descend with descending colon of large intestines. Finally
it will enter the rectum and anal canal to get expelled.
Anus – is the external opening of the anal canal through
which faeces (waste product of digestion) are evacuated. It is guarded and
controlled by the anal sphincters.
The anal canal is about 3.5 cms long and it starts from the lower end of
the rectum and ends in the anus’ opening. The walls of the anus are well
guarded with sphincter muscles which always keep it closed, except during
defecation. It is also designed in such a manner to control the release of air
(flatus) and watery stools i.e. airtight and leak proof.
The anal canal is anatomically divided into two parts (namely upper part
and lower part) by pectinate line (bluish pink ring). These two parts are
different from embryonic origin, i.e. the upper part is originated from
endoderm and it is covered with mucous membranes like covering of the oral
cavity. It will be pink or reddish in colour. This upper anal part is supplied
by autonomic nervous system and doesn’t have pain sensitive nerve fibres. So,
it responds only to fullness and tightness of intestines. The lower part of the
anal canal originates from the ectoderm and is covered by skin. It is usually
brown or pale white in colour. Unlike the upper part, it contains sebaceous
glands, sweat glands and cutaneous pain sensitive spinal nerves like normal
skin.
Defecation
The act of passing stool is called
defecation. Defecation is aided by the rectum and anal canal. Defecation can be
initiated by increasing abdominal pressure, straining at rectum and anal canal,
mind, habits, etc. Anus with brain control controls the defecation process
accordingly by time, place and circumstances. The waste products, called
faeces, which are excrement discharge of the bowels, are expelled through the
anus. The intestines usually secrete, excrete and absorb. But the rectum and
anal canal have less work in dealing with this digested food. The absorption of
water and minerals are low or very little in the rectum and anal canal.
Normal faeces usually have a water content of 60-70 per cent, fat 15-20 per
cent, nitrogen 4-5 per cent, inorganic materials 10-20 per cent. The bile
pigments colour the stool as brown or yellow. If the content of fat in the
stool is more, it makes it pale and to float. The bile pigments and other
wastages are usually excreted through faeces. So even during fasting, a small
quantity of faeces will be passed on.
Importance of defecation
Defecation is discharge or
evacuation of bacteria-rich faeces from the body. It is very much important in
letting out the waste and unwanted toxic substances from the digestive tract to
avoid toxicity. Everyone would have heard of headache, abdominal
discomfort, poor appetite, sensation of vomiting, etc., when there is defective
defecation. For getting energy, continuous support or intake of food is
necessary, but if the stool is impacted or stagnated due to defective digestion
and assimilation, then the process will make any one to reduce/avoid intake of
food.
Dysfunctions causing anal complaints
Constipation is infrequent and inadequate defecation without
satisfaction. It may be due to
·
Failure in developing habits
·
Controlling the urge for a prolonged period
·
Low fibre foods with more spices and chillies
·
Liver disorders with defective digestion
·
Drugs impairing digestion
·
Defective expulsion due to nervous disorders or nerve
damages
Diarrhoea is commonly called increased motility of the bowels
resulting in frequent evacuation of watery stools with uncontrollable purging.
While caring for loss of minerals, the strain of the anus should also be
considered. Forcible expulsion of diarrhoea from laxatives or enemas can cause
anal complaints like piles and prolapse.
Incidences
One who deviates more from nature in
diet, living and sitting habits will usually suffer with anal complaints. Anal
problems are rare in children due to their bland diet, unless pathological. The
incidence of anal complaints increases with age factor and occurs more commonly
in the 20 to 30 age group. Females suffer more commonly than males. Sufferers
are mostly
·
Travellers who sit for long
·
Sedentary workers
·
Lovers of chillies and spices
·
One who have is prone to constipation
·
One who has or is prone to diarrhoea
·
Sufferers of liver disorders
Other suspected reasons for development of anal complaints
·
Erect posture of man – The evolution of man from an
animal on four feet to a human being on two feet is considered one of the main
causes for anal complaints, when compared to other animals
·
Hereditary – development of piles is often noted to run
in families
·
Physiological – Pregnancy and delivery can cause
increased venous pressure and weakness of the anal canal, so piles or
constipation can occur
·
Physical strain – exerting while passing stool, coughing,
weight lifting, etc., can cause piles, prolapsed anus, etc.
·
Pathological – pelvic and rectal tumours, liver and
portal vein disorders can cause piles
·
Infections in skin and mucous membranes of the anal canal
can cause boils and proceed to fistulas
·
Blood vessels – due to valvular damage or back flow or
resistance pressure exerted by obstruction or disease can cause dilatation of
blood vessels
·
Ligaments – defective support of anal canal can cause
prolapsed anus
·
Worries and mental strain can also cause havoc to
intestines and anus
Diagnosis & investigations
Diagnosis of anal complaints can be
easily made on examination of the anus with finger palpation / proctoscope /
sigmoidoscope / endoscopy / barium meal X-ray / biopsy / stool examination,
etc. Other than anal complaints, anal examination is also done to detect
prostate enlargement in males and to detect the changes in consistency of the
uterus, ovaries, cervix, etc., in females.
Complications
if any complaint is left untreated
or maltreated, then danger begins to unfold. Infection, bleeding, extreme
painfulness, prolapse and strangulation may occur, complicating in their own
way.
Cautions and precautions:
·
Move more towards greens and nature
·
Don’t be sedentary and sit idle for a long time
·
Keep good diet for good digestion
·
Take plenty of water
·
Take plenty of fruits/fruit juices
·
Follow regular bowel habits to avoid constipation and
strain
Follow hygienic measures in cleaning and caring
Avoid cycling
Common complaints often faced in the anus are:
·
Piles or haemorrhoids – dilatation of veins of the anal
canal (upper or lower part)
·
Fissures – tear in lower sensitive part of anus, which is
very painful
·
Fistula – tunnel passage developed from boil which gets
opened internally into anal canal
·
Anal stricture – constriction of the part with the
feeling of tightness or compression
·
Itchy skin lesions including recurrent boils, since the
anus is more prone to bacteria
·
Incontinence – defect in controlling or with holding or
postponing the defecation process
·
Congenital deformities – like miniature anus, imperforate
anus
To avoid discomfort, pain, bleeding and unwanted progress of the disease,
treatment should be taken at the earliest to heal with all precautionary
measures in food, restriction of work/bed rest and juice fasting. Best results
are often shown when one reverts to nature in food and habits rather than
treatment.
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob /
Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are for informational
purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional
healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)