Rectal Problems: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Rectal pain caused by constipation or leakage of stool: Go to the topic Constipation, Age 11 and Younger or Constipation, Age 12 and Older.
• Problems caused by diarrhea: Go to the topic Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger or Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older.
• If you have been diagnosed with hemorrhoids and are having symptoms from them: Go to the topic Hemorrhoids.

Yes

Have you had a bowel movement that is black, bloody, or left blood in the toilet water?

Yes

Do you have rectal bleeding without a bowel movement?

Yes

Do you have a rectal problem and a fever?

Yes

Do you have rectal pain?

Yes

Do you have swelling, a lump, a sore, or a new growth in or around your anus?

Yes

Do you think your rectal problem is caused by abuse?

Yes

Do you think that a medicine is causing your rectal problem?

Yes

Does your child have rectal itching, especially at night?

Yes

Do you have rectal itching?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have the following symptom?

• Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger or Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older.
• Symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD): Go to the topic Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	May 22, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer