What the Pressure in Your Rectum Could Mean

Few things are more essential to living than eating. Healthy food provides your body with the nutrients and fuel you need to function.

When you eat, the food goes on a journey through the digestive tract, which absorbs the nutrients and eliminates the waste. Food starts its journey in your mouth and winds through your stomach and intestines until it reaches your rectum and leaves through your anus. 

Problems with digestion can happen at any point along your digestive tract. But if you’re feeling pressure in your rectum, it could indicate something serious that needs medical attention.

At locations in Wellesley and Hudson, Massachusetts, Dr. Neeraj Kohli and the skilled medical team at BostonUrogyn can help if you’re dealing with rectal pressure as well as a variety of urogynecological needs.

The digestive process

The food you eat works its way through your esophagus (the food tube) to your stomach. From there, your stomach starts its work. Enzymes and acids break down food so your body can use the nutrients. 

Once done there, the next stop is the small intestine. Here the breaking down process continues and the nutrients get absorbed into your bloodstream. The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder absorb, digest, and process food broken down in your small intestine.

Then the colon (or large intestine) processes the waste. It starts in liquid form, and as it passes, the water is removed. It’s stored until enough waste has gathered in the rectum for you to pass it through your anus.

Possible causes of rectal pressure

Your rectum is essentially the last section of your large intestine. Many factors might cause discomfort or pressure in that area. These factors include:

Constipation

Constipation is when stool dries and hardens and is difficult to pass. It often results from dehydration, medications, inactivity, or stress.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea happens when the stool doesn’t solidify in your colon. It can be caused by bacteria, allergies, stress, or even parasitic infection.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum and anus caused by straining while defecating, obesity, pregnancy, or anal sex.

Anal fissure

An anal fissure is a small tear in the anal tissue caused by straining to defecate, trauma from constipation, or an underlying problem.

Coccydynia

This type of tailbone pain comes from an inflamed or bruised coccyx stemming from injury.

Anal cancer

Anal cancer can cause anal bleeding along with pain and itchiness.

Diverticulitis

This condition results from small pouches (diverticula) in your colon bulging and becoming inflamed.

Inflammatory bowel disease

IBD refers to chronic conditions that include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Treating rectal pressure might involve a simple fix like taking laxatives, eating more fiber, or drinking more water. More severe cases might require medications or even surgery.

Pressure in your rectum might be embarrassing to discuss with your doctor, but it’s important for your health to get it checked out. If you’re dealing with rectal distress, call Dr. Kohli and BostonUrogyn today or book your appointment online.