Condition Lookup

Proctitis

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Functional Disorders

Symptoms:
rectal pain; bleeding during bowel movements; frequent urge to defecate; mucus in stools; diarrhea; tenesmus (feeling of incomplete evacuation)

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the rectal lining, often caused by infections, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), radiation therapy, or sexually transmitted infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history, physical examination, rectal examination, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy with biopsy, stool tests, and infection screening.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or lifestyle modifications.

Medications:
Antibiotics like metronidazole or ciprofloxacin for infections, corticosteroid enemas for inflammation, aminosalicylates (e.g., mesalamine ) for IBD-related proctitis, or antiviral therapy if caused by herpes simplex virus.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease or those exposed to rectal infections or radiation therapy.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of IBD (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), radiation therapy to the pelvic area, unprotected anal intercourse, infections (e.g., STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, most cases resolve, but recurrence depends on the underlying cause (e.g., chronic in IBD).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic rectal bleeding, abscess formation, fistulas, or progression to more severe IBD complications in related cases.

Anal Fissures

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Functional Disorders

Symptoms:
sharp pain during bowel movements; bright red blood on stool or toilet paper; itching or irritation around the anus; spasms of the anal sphincter

Root Cause:
A tear in the lining of the anal canal, often caused by trauma from hard stools, chronic diarrhea, or inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history, physical examination, and anoscopy if necessary.

Treatment:
Increasing dietary fiber and fluids, stool softeners, warm sitz baths, and topical medications. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Medications:
Topical nitroglycerin or calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine or diltiazem ) to relax the sphincter, corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation, or lidocaine for pain relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, particularly in infants, young adults, and middle-aged adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Constipation, chronic diarrhea, anal trauma, childbirth, and underlying inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most acute fissures heal within a few weeks with conservative measures; chronic fissures may require surgery for resolution.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, recurrent fissures, and potential development of an anal fistula or abscess.

Rectal Prolapse

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Functional Disorders

Symptoms:
protrusion of rectal tissue through the anus; fecal incontinence; difficulty with bowel movements; rectal bleeding or mucus discharge; feeling of a mass in the anus

Root Cause:
Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that support the rectum, leading to its displacement outside the anus.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, defecography, colonoscopy, and pelvic MRI if needed to assess the pelvic floor.

Treatment:
Treatment options include lifestyle changes (e.g., dietary fiber to avoid straining), pelvic floor exercises, or surgical correction such as rectopexy.

Medications:
Stool softeners or laxatives to reduce straining during bowel movements; no direct medications to reverse prolapse.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but more common in older adults, women, and those with chronic constipation or pelvic floor disorders.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, previous pelvic surgeries, advanced age, and conditions like cystic fibrosis or COPD.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment, though recurrence is possible in severe cases or without surgical intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Ulceration of the prolapsed tissue, bowel obstruction, incontinence, or strangulation of the rectal tissue requiring emergency surgery.

Perianal Abscess

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
pain near the anus; swelling around the anus; redness; warmth; fever; pus drainage from the area

Root Cause:
Caused by infection in the anal glands, leading to pus accumulation in the tissues near the anus.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is usually clinical based on physical examination, with imaging (such as ultrasound or MRI) used in unclear cases.

Treatment:
Drainage of the abscess through incision and, in some cases, antibiotics to address infection.

Medications:
Antibiotics may be prescribed, including broad-spectrum agents like amoxicillin-clavulanate or metronidazole , particularly if cellulitis or systemic infection is present.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 people annually, more frequent in males.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Crohn's disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, and poor hygiene.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely drainage; recurrence can occur if an underlying fistula develops.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, formation of an anal fistula, systemic infection (sepsis), or chronic pain.

Fistula-in-Ano (Anal Fistula)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Chronic Disorders

Symptoms:
persistent discharge from a small opening near the anus; pain during bowel movements; swelling or redness around the anus; recurrent abscess formation; fever in some cases

Root Cause:
A tunnel forms between the inside of the anal canal and the skin near the anus, often as a result of untreated or poorly healed perianal abscesses.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, anoscopy, and imaging studies like MRI or endoanal ultrasound to determine the extent.

Treatment:
Surgical interventions, such as fistulotomy, seton placement, or advanced procedures like LIFT (ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract).

Medications:
Postoperative pain management with NSAIDs, and antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin and metronidazole ) if there is associated infection or abscess.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 5,000 people annually; more common in males and those with Crohn's disease.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Crohn's disease, prior perianal abscess, trauma, or infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate surgical management, though recurrence is possible in complex cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, incontinence, abscess formation, and systemic infection in severe cases.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Anal Warts

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Viral Infections

Symptoms:
flesh-colored or gray growths around or inside the anus; itching or discomfort in the anal area; bleeding during bowel movements; feeling of a lump near the anus

Root Cause:
Caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly strains 6 and 11, leading to benign growths. High-risk HPV strains may increase the risk of anal cancer.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual inspection, anoscopy, and biopsy if malignancy is suspected. HPV DNA testing can confirm the viral type.

Treatment:
Topical treatments (e.g., imiquimod or podophyllotoxin), cryotherapy, electrocautery, or surgical excision. Prevention includes HPV vaccination.

Medications:
Imiquimod (immune modulator), podophyllotoxin (antimitotic), and trichloroacetic acid (caustic agent for wart removal).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; approximately 1% of sexually active adults have visible genital or anal warts at any time.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Unprotected sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, immunosuppression, and history of HPV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for benign warts with treatment; high-risk HPV types require monitoring for potential progression to anal cancer.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence of warts, psychological distress, and progression to anal dysplasia or cancer in high-risk HPV infections.

Internal Hemorrhoids

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Hemorrhoids

Symptoms:
painless rectal bleeding; bright red blood in stool or on toilet paper; prolapse of hemorrhoid tissue during bowel movements; mucus discharge; anal itching

Root Cause:
Swollen and inflamed veins inside the rectum caused by increased pressure on the anal and rectal veins, commonly due to straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, or chronic constipation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding.

Treatment:
Conservative measures (dietary fiber, hydration, sitz baths), minimally invasive procedures (rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation), and surgery (hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy for severe cases).

Medications:
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or suppositories for inflammation (topical corticosteroid), stool softeners to prevent straining (laxative), and flavonoid supplements to reduce inflammation (vasoactive medications like diosmin or hesperidin).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common condition; affects approximately 4.4% of the global population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic constipation or diarrhea, low-fiber diet, obesity, pregnancy, prolonged sitting or standing, heavy lifting, and family history of hemorrhoids.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often manageable with conservative treatments; minimally invasive procedures or surgery provide long-term relief in severe cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent bleeding, anemia, prolapse requiring manual reduction, and thrombosis of hemorrhoids.

External Hemorrhoids

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Hemorrhoids

Symptoms:
painful swelling or lump near the anus; itching or irritation around the anal area; bleeding during bowel movements; thrombosis leading to severe pain and bluish discoloration

Root Cause:
Swollen and inflamed veins located under the skin around the anus, caused by increased pressure in the anal veins due to straining, prolonged sitting, or other factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual inspection and physical examination; no additional diagnostic tools are typically required unless symptoms suggest other conditions.

Treatment:
Conservative measures (fiber-rich diet, hydration, sitz baths), excision of thrombosed hemorrhoids, and symptomatic relief with medications.

Medications:
Topical analgesics (lidocaine cream for pain relief), anti-inflammatory agents (hydrocortisone creams or suppositories ), and oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for severe discomfort.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects a similar percentage of the population as internal hemorrhoids, with varying presentations.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic constipation, low-fiber diet, obesity, pregnancy, prolonged sitting or standing, and heavy lifting.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically resolves with conservative treatments; surgical interventions may be needed for thrombosed external hemorrhoids.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe pain and discomfort, thrombosis of hemorrhoids, ulceration, and infection.

Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Rectal Cancer

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; persistent changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation); abdominal discomfort or pain; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; narrow stools

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor arising from the glandular cells lining the rectum, often caused by genetic mutations and environmental factors leading to uncontrolled cell growth.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, imaging studies such as CT, MRI, or PET scans, blood tests (e.g., CEA tumor marker), and staging via TNM classification.

Treatment:
Treatment may include a combination of surgery (total mesorectal excision), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy depending on the stage and individual patient factors.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine (oral prodrug of 5-FU), or oxaliplatin (platinum-based chemotherapy agent). Targeted therapies like bevacizumab (anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody) or cetuximab (anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody) may also be used in specific cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide, with adenocarcinoma comprising over 95% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), smoking, obesity, high consumption of red and processed meats, and physical inactivity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis; early-stage disease has a high cure rate, while advanced stages carry a poorer outlook. Five-year survival rates range from over 90% (localized disease) to less than 15% (distant metastases).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include bowel obstruction, perforation, metastasis to other organs (commonly the liver and lungs), and treatment-related side effects like neuropathy and bowel dysfunction.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Anal Cancer

Symptoms:
anal pain or discomfort; rectal bleeding; a lump or mass near the anus; itching or discharge from the anus; changes in bowel habits; unexplained weight loss

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor originating from squamous cells lining the anal canal, often associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly HPV-16.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (digital rectal exam), anoscopy or proctoscopy with biopsy, imaging studies (e.g., CT, MRI, or PET scans), and staging using TNM classification.

Treatment:
Chemoradiation therapy (combination of fluorouracil and mitomycin with external beam radiation) is the standard of care for localized disease. Surgery (abdominoperineal resection) is reserved for persistent or recurrent cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs include mitomycin (antitumor antibiotic) and fluorouracil (antimetabolite chemotherapy). In metastatic or recurrent disease, paclitaxel (taxane class) or cisplatin (platinum-based agent) may be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Anal cancer is relatively rare, accounting for less than 2% of gastrointestinal cancers, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common type.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Persistent HPV infection, receptive anal intercourse, a history of sexually transmitted infections, immunosuppression (e.g., HIV/AIDS), smoking, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage anal cancer has a favorable prognosis with a five-year survival rate exceeding 80%. Advanced stages have a poorer prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Treatment-related complications such as radiation proctitis, fecal incontinence, strictures, and fistula formation; metastatic disease can involve the liver or lungs.