Is Proctalgia Fugax serious?
No. Sufferers should be confident that the pain is not an indication of something serious. Also, this condition does not increase the risk of colon cancer, colitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures or other bowel disorders. It is simply a muscle cramp in the wrong place at the wrong time.
What treatment is available?
There is no cure. The attacks are too short for any medical therapy to be effective. Although, there have been some reported successes using an asthma inhaler called salbutamol to abort prolonged episodes. There is no surgical procedure that has been shown to be effective. The most common therapy is simply pushing on the anal area. This may be done manually or by straddling the edge of a bathtub. Soaking in a warm bath may help, but usually the pain begins to subside before the bathtub is filled.
How can one prevent future attacks?
Sadly there is no way to reliably prevent further attacks. Some doctors feel that a high fiber diet and plenty of fluids helps keep the stools soft and prevents spasm. Often, a fiber supplement such as Metamucil or Citrucel is recommended. The best plan is to let your doctor rule out any other serious disorders and be happy that nothing more important was found.
Patient Education: Patient pamphlet
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