Blood Clots—Anal Disorders

Also called: Anorectal diseases

The anus is the opening of the rectum through which stool passes out of your body. Problems with the anus are common. They include hemorrhoids, abscesses, fissures (cracks), and cancer.

You may be embarrassed to talk about your anal troubles. But it is important to let your doctor know, especially if you have pain or bleeding. The more details you can give about your problem, the better your doctor will be able to help you. Treatments vary depending on the particular problem.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Anal fissure (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Anal itching — self-care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Anorectal abscess (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Anoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Digital rectal exam (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Imperforate anus (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Lower GI Series – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Perianal streptococcal cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Hypercoagulability

Normally, if you get hurt, your body forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding. After the bleeding stops and healing takes place, your body usually breaks down and removes the clot. But some people get too many clots or their blood clots abnormally. Many conditions can cause the blood to clot too much or prevent blood clots from dissolving properly.

Risk factors for excessive blood clotting include

• Certain genetic disorders
• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation
• Overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome
• Some medicines
• Smoking
• Staying in one position for a long time, such as being in the hospital or taking a long car or plane ride
• Cancer and cancer treatments

Blood clots can form in, or travel to, the blood vessels in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and limbs. A clot in the veins deep in the limbs is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT usually affects the deep veins of the legs. If a blood clot in a deep vein breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs and blocks blood flow, it is called a pulmonary embolism. Other complications of blood clots include stroke, heart attack, kidney problems, kidney failure, and pregnancy-related problems. Treatments for blood clots include blood thinners and other medicines.

• Arterial embolism (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Blood clots (Medical Encyclopedia)
• D-dimer test (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Prothrombin time (PT) (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Superficial thrombophlebitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Thrombophlebitis (Medical Encyclopedia)