PROCTALGIA Meaning and
Definition
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Proctalgia, also known as rectal pain, is a medical condition characterized by intense and often spasmodic pain in the rectum or anus. This pain can be recurrent or chronic and may vary in duration and intensity. Proctalgia is typically a symptom rather than a disease itself and can be caused by a range of underlying factors. It is more common in women than in men and tends to occur more frequently in middle-aged or older individuals.
The exact causes of proctalgia are often unknown; however, several possible contributing factors have been identified. These include muscle spasms or contractions in the pelvic floor muscles, nerve-related issues such as neuralgia or neuropathy, anal fissures or tears, hemorrhoids, constipation, and stress or psychological factors. In some cases, proctalgia may be associated with other medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Symptoms of proctalgia can vary but commonly include severe pain or cramping in the rectal area, which may be sudden and intense or more persistent and dull. This pain can be throbbing or stabbing and may be accompanied by aching or pressure sensations. It can also be associated with bowel movements, sexual activity, or sitting for prolonged periods.
Treatment for proctalgia generally focuses on relieving symptoms and managing the underlying cause. This may involve lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes to prevent constipation, stress reduction techniques, warm baths or sitz baths, topical analgesics, muscle relaxants, or nerve modulating medications. In some cases, biofeedback or physical therapy may be recommended to help relax and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Surgical interventions are usually reserved for cases where conservative measures have not been effective.
Overall,
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Pain at the anus, or in the rectum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PROCTALGIA
- oroctalgia
- lroctalgia
- -roctalgia
- 0roctalgia
- peoctalgia
- pdoctalgia
- pfoctalgia
- ptoctalgia
- p5octalgia
- p4octalgia
- prictalgia
- prkctalgia
- prlctalgia
- prpctalgia
- pr0ctalgia
- pr9ctalgia
- proxtalgia
- provtalgia
- proftalgia
Etymology of PROCTALGIA
The word proctalgia is derived from the Greek roots proktos meaning anus and algos meaning pain. So, proctalgia literally translates to pain in the anus.
Similar spelling words for PROCTALGIA
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