Anal stenosis is the narrowing of the anal canal. It makes it difficult to pass stool.
It is a rare and uncommon condition. Anal stenosis, if left untreated, may cause serious complications.
It is also known as an anal stricture. This condition develops when the muscles in the rectum ( which contracts and expands to help the stool to pass ) get narrowed.
The anal canal is a tubular structure in the body that allows the stool to exit from the body via the rectum.
Excessive narrowing in the anal canal due to any cause leads to difficulty in the easy flow of stool. It causes a variety of symptoms.
Anal stenosis greatly affects the patient’s lifestyle and well-being. Let’s discuss all aspects of anal stenosis one by one in detail.
Anal Stenosis Types
Based on the duration and symptoms, anal stenosis can be of two types, acute anal stenosis and chronic anal stenosis.
1. Acute anal stenosis:
It occurs when there is a sudden and severe spasm of the anal canal. It can occur in cases of anal fissure.
These spasms can be dynamic and reversible. In acute anal stenosis, the anal canal passage is cylindrical.
2. Chronic anal stenosis:
Chronic anal stenosis occurs after surgical procedures in the anus or rectum.
It can also occur due to infection and hardening of the muscles of the anus. The spasms are irreversible and adynamic.
The anal canal progressively narrows down. This condition can also occur in patients who take excessive laxatives.
This leads to interference in the natural physiological system of stool evacuation through the anal canal.
Anal Stenosis Causes
Anal stenosis can be caused due to various reasons. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Surgery:
Anal stenosis can be a result of complications from the surgical procedures performed on the anus.
Laxative abuse:
Anal stenosis can be caused by the overuse of laxatives. It hinders the natural mechanism of the body’s excretory system to evacuate stool.
Infection:
A severe blood infection in the body can cause anal stenosis.
Sexual disease:
Sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS may also cause anal stenosis.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD):
It is an inflammation of the small intestine and colon. Inflammatory bowel disease can also lead to anal stenosis.
Congenital malformation:
A defect in the natural structure of the anus can by birth cause anal stenosis.
Anal Stenosis Symptoms
The symptoms of anal stenosis seem minor at the beginning, but they get worse with time.
The symptoms produced by anal stenosis include:
The patient experiences pain during bowel movements.
There are frequent constipation problems.
The stools are narrow. The Stools break apart like small pellets.
There is a discharge of bright red blood after passing stool in the toilet.
Crohn’s disease which is an inflammatory bowel disease also produces symptoms similar to anal stenosis.
Scar tissues formed in the anal canal, due to other causes such as rectal infections, tear in the anal canal, irritation due to constant diarrhea, surgeries for hemorrhoids, etc, causing hardening of the muscles and buildup of scar tissue that lead to the symptoms of anal stenosis.
Risk Factors for Anal Stenosis
Certain risk factors make an individual more prone to suffer from anal stenosis.
Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Rectal surgeries:
People who have undergone surgical procedures in the rectum are at a higher risk of developing anal stenosis.
Laxatives:
Using excessive laxatives can be a risk factor for anal stenosis.
Straining at stool:
People who strain a lot at the toilet may develop anal stenosis in the long run.
Recent rectal infection:
Recent rectal infections may lead to the development of scar tissues in the anus and can play as a risk factor anal stenosis.
Diagnosis of Anal Stenosis
The doctor makes the diagnosis based on the symptoms of the patient, the severity, and duration.
The doctor takes the medical history in detail and asks about the symptoms and previous illnesses or surgeries.
To confirm the diagnosis, he may perform a physical and visual examination.
Anorectal manometry:
It is a procedure to check anal musculature tone, anorectal sensation, and further assessment of the anus to confirm the diagnosis.
Anal Stenosis Management
Certain management tips can be followed to ease the symptoms and aid in the fast recovery of the condition.
These tips can also help to prevent the progress and further complications of anal stenosis.
Fiber-rich diet:
Add more fibers to the diet as it helps to regulate bowel movements.
Avoid overuse of laxatives:
Excessive use of laxatives can interfere with the natural mechanism of bowel movements.
Drink a lot of water:
At least 2-3 liters of water should be consumed daily.
Avoid heavy lifting:
Heavy lifting can worsen the symptoms, as it puts pressure on the rectum. Therefore, heavy lifting must be avoided.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Anal Stenosis
Homoeopathy is a gentle, safe and natural system of healing. Homeopathy provides a wide range of remedies for the treatment of anal stenosis.
It can be given to people of any age and sex. Homeopathic remedies have no adverse effects. However, the selection of the medicines should be careful and well-studied.
There are a lot of beneficial remedies for the treatment of anal stenosis patients in Homeopathy.
It can heal the disease completely and also prevent the development of serious complications.
The carefully selected homeopathic remedy helps to dissolve the scar tissue and prevents its buildup in the anus.
Let’s take a look at the top indicated homeopathic remedies to treat anal stenosis, one by one in detail.
1. ALUMINA: For anal stenosis with great difficulty in passing soft stool
Symptoms:
Alumina is the leading remedy for anal stenosis in homeopathy. The stools are dry, hard and knotty.
The patient is having no desire to pass stool. The rectum becomes sore, dry, inflamed and bleeding.
The patient experiences itching and burning in the anus. The patient complains that even a soft stool passes with great difficulty.
There is great straining at the stool. This remedy helps in constipation occurring in infants and old people with an inactive rectum and women with very sedentary habits.
The patient experiences diarrhea on urinating. The evacuation of stool occurs after long hours of painful urging before stool, followed by straining at the stool.
Potency and dosage:
Alumina 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Alumina 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Alumina in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. THIOSINAMINUM: For anal stenosis with the buildup of scar tissues at the anus
Symptoms:
Thiosinaminum is a very well-known homeopathic remedy for the treatment of anal stenosis patients.
Thiosinaminum has power to dissolve scar tissues.
It can be used externally and internally to dissolve the scar tissue formed at the anus causing narrowing of the anus.
It is indicated in stricture and stenosis of the anal canal. This remedy is extensively used to treat rectal crises.
The patient experiences pain and discomfort in the anus. the stool passes with great difficulty.
When these symptoms match, Thiosinaminum is the most suitable choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Thiosinaminum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Thiosinaminum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Thiosinaminum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. NITRIC ACID: For anal stenosis with a torn feeling at the rectum
Symptoms:
Nitric Acid is a top indicated remedy for the treatment of anal stenosis.
The patient does great straining at stool, but a little amount of the stool passes with great difficulty.
The rectum feels torn. The bowels are constipated with fissures in the anus.
The patient experiences tearing pains during stools. The pains after stools last for long hours.
There are hemorrhages from the bowels, bright red. The hemorrhoids bleed easily. After stools, the patient becomes irritable and exhausted.Â
Potency and dosage:
Nitric Acid 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Nitric Acid 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Nitric Acid in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. PLUMBUM MET: For anal stenosis with urging and spasm of the anus
Symptoms:
Plumbum Met is one of the best remedies for anal stenosis in homeopathy.
The patient suffers from constipation. The stools are hard, lumpy and black with urging and spasms of the anus.
There is obstructed evacuation of stool with accumulation and impaction of feces.
The patient experiences pain in the rectum (neuralgia of the rectum). The anus feels constricted.
The patient is having great difficulty and irritability on the account of pain and straining at the rectum.
When these symptoms match, Plumbum Met is the best choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Plumbum Met 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Plumbum Met 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Plumbum Met in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. PHOSPHORUS: For anal stenosis with long, narrow and hard stool
Symptoms:
Phosphorus is a very beneficial remedy for the treatment of anal stenosis patients.
The stool and flatus are very fetid and bad smell. The stools are long, narrow and hard like a dog’s stool.
The stools are difficult to expel. The patient suffers from painless, copious and debilitating diarrhea. There is a discharge of green mucus with grains like sago.
The patient feels great weakness after stool. There is a discharge of blood from the rectum after stool.
The stools are hard and white with bleeding haemorrhoids.
Potency and dosage:
Phosphorus 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Phosphorus 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Phosphorus in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. OPIUM: For anal stenosis with chronic constipation
Symptoms:
There is constipation with inactivity of the intestines. There is spasmodic retention of the feces in the small intestine.
It is a helpful remedy for constipation in children and good-natured women.
The stools are offensive and black.
The patient experiences burning pains in the anus with violent tenesmus.
The anus closes spasmodically. The stools are composed of small, hard, black balls which are grey and crumbling.
The patient feels as if the evacuation of the stools is obstructed. There is bleeding from the bowel due to anal stenosis.
The patient becomes drowsy after stools. When these symptoms match, Opium should be the ideal choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Opium 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Opium 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Opium in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. NATRUM MUR: For anal stenosis with burning and stitching pains after stool
Symptoms:
Natrum Mur is a very helpful remedy for patients of anal stenosis who experience burning and stitching pains after stool.
The patient feels as if the anus is contracted. the anus feels torn.
There is bleeding from the anus during and after stool. The patient suffers from constipation.
The stools are dry and crumbling. It is a good remedy for continuous diarrhea with pinching pain in the abdomen.
When these symptoms match with the symptoms of the patient, Natrum Mur can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Natrum Mur 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum Mur 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Natrum Mur in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. SILICEA: For anal stenosis with fistula in Ano
Symptoms:
Silicea is a top-grade remedy for anal stenosis due to fistula in Ano.Â
The patient suffers from fistula in Ano, fissures or hemorrhoids. The anus is painful with spasms of the lower part of the anus.
The stools come down with great difficulty. The stools partially expel and recede again.
There is great straining. The rectum stings and closes up on the stool.
The feces remain for a long time in the rectum. The anus is extremely irritable.
It is a helpful remedy for patients of anal stenosis who experience constipation before and after menses.
Potency and dosage:
Silicea 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Silicea 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Silicea in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. NUX VOMICA: For anal stenosis due to abuse of laxatives
Symptoms:
The patient suffers from frequent, ineffectual urging for stool with constipation.
The stools are incomplete and unsatisfactory, the patient feels as if a part remained unexpelled.
The rectum feels constricted. There is irregular, peristaltic action of the intestine that is responsible for the ineffectual desire and constipation.
Nux Vomica is a very helpful remedy for patients who suffer from anal stenosis due to excessive use of laxatives.
The urging for stool is felt throughout the abdomen. The stool is scanty with much urging.
The patient experiences constant uneasiness in the rectum. Nux Vomica should be used when there is an absence of desire for stool.
Potency and dosage:
Nux Vomica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Nux Vomica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Nux Vomica in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. AESCULUS: For anal stenosis with sharp shooting pains in the rectum
Symptoms:
Aesculus is a very beneficial remedy for anal stenosis patient who experiences sharp shooting pains in the rectum.
The patient feels as if the rectum is full of small sticks. The anus is dry, raw, sore and aching.
There is much pain after stool. It is helpful for anal stenosis patients with hemorrhoids and pain in the back.
The stools are large, hard and dry. The mucus membranes get swollen and obstruct the passage.
There are pains in the anus with chills up and down the back. There is irritation in the anus with sharp shooting pains.
Potency and dosage:
Aesculus 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Aesculus 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Aesculus in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.