Why does it hurt when I poop?

A light diet can not only keep the gastrointestinal system healthy, but also reduce a lot of pain when defecating. People who like spicy food should know that eating too much spicy food will make people feel pain in the anus during defecation. Because the capsaicin contained in chili peppers cannot be completely digested even after passing through the gastrointestinal system, it can irritate the human anus. In addition to eating too much chili peppers, what other reasons are there for anal pain during bowel movements?

1. Why do I feel pain in my anus when I poop?

Anal fissure: Anal pain during bowel movement is the most common symptom of anal fissure, and the pain is cyclical. The pain starts when you feel the urge to defecate, and there is burning or knife-like pain in the anus during defecation, and intermittent pain after defecation. When the anal sphincter spasms and contracts, the patient will feel severe pain.

Hemorrhoids: Pain usually occurs when internal hemorrhoids or mixed hemorrhoids prolapse or become incarcerated.

Perianal abscess: mainly presents as persistent swelling and pain or throbbing pain that gradually worsens.

Anal sinusitis: Generally, there is slight pain and heaviness in the anus. During defecation, there will be burning pain in the anus due to the pressure of feces on the inflamed anal sinus. If the anal sphincter contracts due to stimulation, the pain will intensify and radiate to the buttocks and posterior thighs.

Anal foreign body injury: This is usually caused by hard or sharp foreign objects inserted into the anal canal and rectum, so you need to ask a doctor to check carefully. The pain will be relieved after the foreign object is removed.

Anal canal inflammation: It is mainly characterized by persistent throbbing pain caused by stool irritating the anal canal during defecation.

Anal cancer: When anal canal cancer develops to the middle and late stages, persistent anal pain will occur. The pain will worsen after defecation, and the frequency of bowel movements will increase. The bowel movements will not be complete and there will be a small amount of blood in the stool, which is similar to common diseases such as anal fissure.

2. Anal pain symptom check

2.1. Visual examination: In acute anal fissure, secretions can be seen in the anus, and the lower end of the anal fissure can be seen by pulling back the buttocks. If the lower end of the fissure is touched lightly with a probe, it may cause pain. Chronic anal fissure often has connective tissue external hemorrhoids.

2.2. Digital examination: Due to the sphincter spasm, the anus tightens. If too much force is applied, it often causes severe pain. Sometimes the examination must be performed under local anesthesia. The fissures felt inside the anus are acute with soft edges, shallow bottom, elastic, and sensitive to touch; chronic with hard, protruding edges, deep bottom, and inelastic.

2.3. Fecal pus: The fecal pus examination has a simple examination method and intuitive results. It can provide a preliminary understanding of the digestive tract function or pathological changes, and indirectly determine the functional status of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver and gallbladder.

3. The harm of anal pain

3.1. Pain during defecation: Anal pain can cause periodic pain due to defecation. During defecation, the feces stimulate the nerve endings on the ulcer surface, and the patient immediately feels a burning pain in the anus. But the pain will ease after a few minutes of defecation, and this period is called the pain interval.

3.2. Constipation: This is also the cause of anal pain. The patient is unwilling to defecate due to anal pain, which causes constipation over time and the stool becomes drier and harder. Constipation can also aggravate anal fissures, forming a vicious cycle and making it difficult for anal fissures to heal.

3.3. Blood in the stool: When defecating, a small amount of fresh blood or drops of blood are often seen on the surface of the stool or toilet paper, which can easily lead to anemia over time.

3.4. Anal Pain Pentad Syndrome: If anal pain is not treated promptly in the early stages, three symptoms may appear: anal canal ulcers, hypertrophy of anal papillae, and sentinel piles. If the condition continues to develop, anal sinusitis and anal fistula may also occur. Together with the first three symptoms, they are collectively called the "Anal Pain Pentad Syndrome." Once the anal pain quintuple syndrome is formed, the patient's condition becomes more serious and the treatment becomes more complicated.