Darrick Robles An anal vein thrombosis is often noticed by unbearable pain in the area of the anus. The harmless proctological disease can usually be felt as a small blue nodule in the area of the anal edge. In most cases, anal vein thrombosis occurs suddenly and heals on its own within a few days to weeks. If the symptoms are severe, pain-relieving medication and ointments can be used.
Definition of anal vein thrombosis
Anal vein thrombosis describes swelling in the area of the anus caused by a blood clot in the external anal veins (plexus haemorrhoidalis caudalis). The blood clot blocks the affected blood vessel and causes a lump to form under the skin at the edge of the anal area. The disease is also known as perianal thrombosis.
Haemorrhoids should be distinguished from this: These protuberances of the vascular network in the upper area of the anal canal can protrude from the anus and usually lead to itching and small bleeding.
Causes of anal vein thrombosis
The following factors can promote the development of anal vein thrombosis:
- sport and physical exertion
- pregnancy and childbirth
- Increased pressure in the abdomen (e.g. coughing, straining, constipation )
- Mechanical stimuli (e.g. anal intercourse, proctological intervention)
- Cold and muggy weather
- Certain foods (alcohol and spices)
- Pre-existing haemorrhoidal disease
Symptoms of an avenous thrombosis
Anal vein thrombosis is usually noticeable with very severe pain in the rectum or in the anal canal. The pain usually occurs very suddenly and is described by patients as burning and stabbing. In addition to stinging and burning , itching can also occur. The symptoms can worsen during or after defecation. A bulging, bluish to reddish nodule appears in the rectum area , which causes the patient pain and hurts when touched. Rarely, there can be several small nodules that lie next to each other like a string of pearls and can be the size of a pinhead to a plum.
Diagnosis of anal vein thrombosis
You can first contact your general practitioner with your complaints. If necessary, they can refer you to a specialist. The specialist in diseases of the rectum and anal canal is the proctologist .
In order to make the correct diagnosis, the doctor treating you will ask you a few questions about your symptoms during the anamnesis interview .
This will be followed by a physical examination , during which the doctor will look at and feel the anal thrombosis.
In rare cases, the thrombosis is not visible from the outside. Then the doctor can examine the anal canal in the sense of a colonoscopy (proctoscopy).
Duration of an anal vein thrombosis
Anal vein thrombosis usually heals within two to three weeks. The body breaks down the blood clot on its own, and the nodule gets smaller by the day. In some cases, the anal vein thrombosis spontaneously ruptures, as a result the blood clot drains and the small wound can heal without any problems.
Treat anal vein thrombosis yourself
As a rule, no special treatment is required as the disease heals on its own.
- Care should be taken to avoid triggering factors such as anal intercourse or heavy straining.
- Home remedies such as psyllium husk and lactulose soften the stool and can help with severe pain when going to the toilet.
- Some patients benefit from cooling compresses or sitz baths with medicinal plants such as chamomile extracts.
Therapy for anal vein thrombosis
If the pain is minor , it is possible to treat the pain with painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen or diclofenac) as well as numbing or cortisone-containing ointments and suppositories. The blood clot can also be dissolved with a heparin ointment.
If the attempt at conservative therapy is unsuccessful and the pain persists , a minor surgical intervention can remedy the situation. A small stitch is cut into the anal vein thrombosis under local anesthesia, which allows the coagulated blood to drain out. Alternatively, the entire anal vein thrombosis can be completely removed. If there is also haemorrhoidal disease, this should be treated in the same session if necessary. Under certain circumstances, a small, painless skin fold may remain on the edge of the anal area (mariske) after the operation.
Sometimes, after healing, there is another anal vein thrombosis, in which case one speaks of a recurrence.
How can Med-Healths help?
Talking about anal vein thrombosis is usually uncomfortable. Our Med-Healths doctors offer you an adequate framework in which you can describe your symptoms in detail. Our doctors can also advise you on the selection of a suitable therapy option and recommend a possible therapy plan.
