Such an unpleasant disease as candidiasis of the rectum appears as a result of damage to the organ mucosa by Candida fungi. If the disease extends to the surface of the skin near the anus, then it is customary to talk about anal candidiasis. As for the danger, candidiasis of the rectum does not pose a threat to life, but in the presence of concomitant ailments of the intestine and other organs in the body, as well as a weakened immune system, Candida mushrooms can lead to rather serious complications.
Causes of thrush of the rectum and anus
What are the causes of candidiasis of the rectum? Candida mushrooms are part of the microflora of every person on the planet. The fungus lives in people in the oral cavity, in women - in the vagina, intestines. This is the absolute norm. Candidiasis of the rectum does not develop due to the presence of fungi, but as a result of a significant increase in their number. It is important to note that the number of microorganisms can increase dramatically under the influence of a number of factors that greatly inhibit the human immune system. Such factors of candidiasis of the rectum, the symptoms of which will be described later, include the following:
- endocrine diseases;
- post-traumatic period;
- helminthiases;
- autoimmune disorders;
- anemia;
- stress
- allergies
- AIDS;
- deficiency of trace elements and vitamins;
- oncology and others.
That is why it is so important to eliminate the aforementioned ailments in time.
Risk groups
We have examined the causes of candidiasis of the intestine. However, the following groups of people are at risk of developing thrush in the anal passage:
- pregnant women (during pregnancy, the hormonal background in a woman changes, immunity decreases);
- children under the age of one year (immunity in this period is only being formed);
- patients in old and senile age;
- allergies
- patients whose work and work are associated with frequent stresses;
- debilitated patients after surgery or some long-term illness;
- patients who are diagnosed with diseases of the anus or intestines (dysbiosis, fissures, hemorrhoids), candidiasis of the vagina or oral cavity;
- people with a genetically determined weakened immune system;
- patients who are prescribed long-term treatment with antibacterial or hormonal drugs.
If candidiasis of the rectum, the symptoms of which are described below, has arisen due to the use of medications, you must inform your doctor about this without fail.
Symptoms of the disease
How is this disease manifested? Candidiasis of the colon and anus is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:
- pain;
- burning, itching, peeling;
- a feeling of heaviness in the rectum;
- redness and swelling of the skin near the anus, sphincter, mucous membrane on the rectum;
- ulcers, cracks, rashes that are purulent in nature;
- bleeding.
In the case of a neglected form of the disease, the patient is painful to sit, move, he has difficulties during bowel movements. Speaking about the symptoms of bowel candidiasis, it should also be noted that appetite, sleep disorders, irritability may appear.
Methods for diagnosing thrush
Based on the examination data and the results of laboratory tests, doctors diagnose candidiasis of the anus. Before starting treatment for candidiasis of the rectum, blood is taken to study the analysis, feces, urine, purulent contents or scales of rashes. In addition to general tests of urine and blood, feces, the following methods are used:
- direct luminescence method (relevant for the early stage of the disease);
- histological examination;
- serological studies;
- culture method (plating on media);
- specific immunofluorescence.
As for the hardware methods for diagnosing intestinal candidiasis, rectoscopy or anoscopy is used to examine the state of the mucous membrane in the intestine. It is important to note that specialists necessarily differentiate between the genus Aspergillus, Nocardia and Candida.
Features of the treatment of intestinal thrush
The treatment of anal candidiasis is based on an integrated approach. The specialist should select the medication, taking into account the history, dynamics, individual characteristics of the patient. Any information you read on the Internet (including this article) cannot become a guide to self-therapy. This factor must be taken into account.
In the treatment of the disease, bowel candidiasis must suppress not only the activity of this fungus. It is also necessary to identify what caused this decrease in immunity.
The main areas of treatment for the disease:
- symptomatic treatment;
- antifungal agents;
- immunostimulating drugs;
- restoration of microflora of the entire intestine;
- elimination of the pathology that caused the development of candidiasis.
In the therapeutic plan, doctors usually include following a diet, as well as the use of folk remedies, for example, copper sulfate from colon candidiasis.
Drug therapy
With thrush of the rectum, as well as the anus, antimycotic drugs are usually used. If there is a need, then drugs of another pharmacological group are used to combat intestinal candidiasis, for example:
- Antifungal medications. These funds are selected taking into account certain factors: the intensity of the disease, age, contraindications. Very often used in the form of tablets, injections, local preparations (for example, ointments, rectal suppositories). Common antifungal drugs include Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, Nystatin, Pimafucin. With simultaneous drug therapy of another disease, drugs that will not be absorbed into the bloodstream, for example, Pimafucin, are preferred.
- Antibacterial medications. Used in case of attachment of any bacterial infection.
- Immunomodulating and immunostimulating drugs. These include the following: "Timalin", "Galavit", "Suppositoferon", "IRS-19" and others.
- Prebiotics and probiotics. Probiotics are a culture of living representatives from the intestinal flora, which normalize its composition. As for prebiotics, these are compounds that contribute to the development of normal microorganisms in the intestinal environment. Together, these drugs inhibit the development of pathogenic microbes, while at the same time normalizing the balance disturbed inside.
In the treatment of intestinal candidiasis in women and men, the use of contraceptive and corticosteroid drugs is not recommended.
Diet during therapy
Diet with thrush of the anus involves the complete exclusion from your diet of alcoholic beverages and products that contain a large amount of so-called fast carbohydrates. Due to this, it is possible to achieve a change in the reaction of intestinal secretion, creating adverse conditions for the successful functioning of fungi. In addition, it is necessary to include in the daily menu products that contribute to the detoxification of the human body, as well as the restoration of natural microflora. An approximate list of products that must be consumed, as well as which are prohibited, is presented below.
You can eat:
- Greens.
- Unsweetened sour-milk products.
- Sweet and sour berries and fruits.
- Cereals (in particular oats in any form).
- Green tea.
- Vegetables.
Forbidden:
- Alcohol
- Bakery products.
- Smoked.
- Fruit puree and fruit packaged juices.
- Sugar, jam.
- Potatoes, bananas, beets, raisins.
- Confectionery.
You should also pay attention to the fact that the products should preferably be cooked, baked or stewed before use. Fatty foods and dishes must be excluded, because they complicate the digestion process and adversely affect the intestinal mucosa. To remove toxins secreted by Candida mushrooms, it is important for the patient to drink plenty of water, at least 2 liters per day.
The use of folk remedies for candidiasis of the anus
The compositions of traditional medicine are used as an auxiliary method of therapy. You need to know that herbal infusions and decoctions help strengthen immunity, are able to normalize metabolism, restore microflora. The use of only folk recipes for the treatment of thrush in the anus will never lead to absolute recovery. Home formulations will give only a temporary improvement in general condition, and also lubricate the deplorable clinical picture.
In order to treat rectal thrush, traditional medicine recommends the following means to their patients:
- jelly and decoctions of oats;
- black cumin oil;
- Kuril tea
- solution based on baking soda for microclysters.
The dosage of the ingredients is selected strictly individually, as a rule, depending on the level of damage, the age of the patient, as well as the presence of some contraindications.
How much do you need to treat intestinal thrush?
The duration of treatment for anal thrush is established only by the attending specialist on the basis of the results obtained after diagnosis. Even with the complete disappearance of symptoms, treatment is continued for a certain time. Sometimes, patients suffering from candidiasis of the rectum, shown a repeated therapeutic course.
In order to successfully eliminate the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as to prevent its possible relapse, it is necessary to strictly observe medical prescriptions and recommendations.
Possible complications of the disease
If the patient does not comply with the doctor’s testimony, untimely seek help if signs of an ailment appear, provided that the thrush of the rectum is dismissive of hygiene, it can go into various kinds of complications.
The weakening of the human body due to frequent relapses of the disease can lead to the further development of disorders in other organs:
- Inflammation in the rectum (proctitis).
- Eczema.
- The inflammatory process in the large intestine (colitis).
- The formation of microcracks in the perianal zone.
- Fistula formation.
- Joining a secondary bacterial infection with the appearance of ulcers.
- Paraproctitis, which is an inflammation of fatty tissue in the anus.
- Disorder of the nervous system due to constant itching, pain, discomfort, as well as sleep disturbance.
Disease prevention
The main preventive rule for the disease of rectal candidiasis is careful observance of hygienic standards and precautions in a public place (baths, bathrooms, saunas, pools). If there are any doubts about their proper sanitary condition, it is best not to visit such public places. In the absence or insufficient disinfection, the risk of infection of the anus with thrush increases at times. The same applies to the use of other people's personal hygiene items (washcloth, towel) and linen (bedding, underwear).
It is possible to prevent the spread and development of candidiasis of the rectum and anus during the use of antibacterial drugs if the patient adheres to the dosage indicated by the specialist, as well as the duration of the therapeutic course. Violations regarding the administration of drugs (for example, omissions, lower dosage and much more) will also contribute to the increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms.
Those people who are at risk should be especially careful about their own health. If any unpleasant and unexpected signs and symptoms manifest, you should immediately seek help from a qualified doctor. An excellent prevention for patients will be to increase their immune system. This will be facilitated by: proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, basic personal hygiene, as well as a psychological positive attitude.
Little conclusion
Candidiasis of the intestine and anus is a disease that is triggered by an uncontrolled increase in the number of fungi of the genus Candida. A healthy human body, as a rule, always controls and corrects their quantity with the help of its immune system. When a person’s immunity for some reason begins to weaken, the development of intestinal thrush is possible. When the symptoms and signs of this disease are found, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, since neglected situations can cause very serious consequences. These include the following: the formation of ulcers, bleeding and the appearance of sepsis. These ailments are treated much more complicated and longer.