Anorectal lesions / disorders - Common questions
- I feel embarrassed, do l need to seek for medical help?
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Yes, you should seek medical attention.
- How common is it?
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Anorectal lesions / disorders are becoming more frequent nowadays. Prevalence of hemorrhoids are 50% of USA population after the age of 50. Also, it is been reported more than 100,000 of cases per year of anal fistula/abscesses after 40 years of age in the USA. And, from 1% to 5% of USA population have suffered from pruritus ani at least once in their lives.
- What can cause dryness to the anal area?
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Dryness to the anal area can be caused by certain irritants such as soaps or laundry solutions; some foods such as coffee, chocolate, and citrus; certain sexually transmitted diseases; medications such as colchicine or neomycin; mechanical factors such as fecal soiling or hemorrhoids; infections; dermatologic disorders, including psoriasis or atopic dermatitis; systemic disorders; or malignancy.
- How can I prevent bacterial infections?
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Bacterial infections can be reduced or prevented by improving selfcare to the anal area. Also, by limiting peri-anal irritants and avoiding sexually transmitted diseases.
- What are the possible complications?
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Possible complications include systemic disorders, diverticulitis, neoplastic cell (cancerous) outbursts that can lead to colon cancer.
- Is it contagious?
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Not contagious just in the case of hemorrhoids but be aware of sexually transmitted diseases that can aggrave your current condition.*
- Is the treatment painful?
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Treatment can be very painful, in some cases can lead into surgical procedures to alleviate the problem.
- How expensive is the treatment? Do I need to be hospitalized? Do I need to take pain killers or analgesics? Do I need to be evaluated for cancer?
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Treatment cost options range from topical over the counter (OTC) medications, prescription medications ultimately into surgical intervention/hospitalisation costs. Treatment with NSAIDs/topical analgesic creams/cocktails can be very costly and have adverse effects. Evaluations for further diagnostics are done by your medical health provider.*
- How much time I need to heal? How fast can I overcome the symptoms?
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Relieve on the symptoms vary from patient to patient and also from the degree of the lesion/condition you are experiencing. You should contact your medical health provider for a consultation.*
- Can a change in diet help?
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A change in diet can be helpful in reducing the intake of common irritants but this can be determined by your health care provider.*
* http://www.colonrectal.org/services.cfm/sid:6591/Anorectal_Disorders/index.html - Does constipation aggravates the symptoms?
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Yes, constipation can aggravate symptoms of anal mucosal disorders.
Have more questions? Ask our team and we will get back to you soon