DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Anal symptoms

Why: determine if acute or chronic.

Why: perianal haematoma may appear following straining at toilet or some other effort involving strain , episode of constipation can predispose to anal fissure , unsafe sex may increase risk of anal herpes.

Why: A lump that comes and goes indicates a prolapse of a lesion from the rectum e.g. rectal prolapse, rectal polyp or internal hemorrhoids, Proctalgia fugax is rectal pain lasting 3-30mins often waking person at night.

Why: e.g. prolapse occurs during bowel evacuation, anal itch can occur with hot weather, exercise or sweating.

Why: may indicate increased risk of perianal abscess.

Why: may indicate increased risk of perianal abscess.

Why: may indicate increased chance of perianal warts or anal herpes.

Why: may indicate increased risk of rectal cancer, perianal abscess.

Why: This can be one anal symptom linked to both infectious and dermatological disease.

Why: Fecal incontinence is a symptom which can cause disruption to both the health and general wellbeing of an individual. As such, it is important for you to discuss it with your health professional so that they can help you with strategies to maintain and improve your lifestyle despite this often embarrassing symptom.

Why: Anal blood loss can be an important sign of many conditions such as bowel cancer/anal cancer, hemorrhoids, anal fissure or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Why: This is a symptom which can suggest an anal/perianal infection (Proctitis). It can also suggest some types of bowel/anal tumor (anal polyp) or bowel disease (inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis).

Why: A recent change in your bowel habit, or a chronically abnormal bowel habit can be indications of gastrointestinal disease. A recently abnormal bowel habit may be caused by bowel cancer or constipation. Chronic constipation can result in bowel cancer or diverticulosis/diverticulitis, whilst a chronically fluctuating bowel habit (episodes of constipation and diarrhea) can be seen in irritable bowel syndrome. Acute diarrhea can reflect infections, whereas chronic diarrhea can reflect inflammatory bowel disease.

Why: Whilst you may have come to see your health professional about a particular anal symptom or group of anal symptoms, they may actually be the result of a more general disease process. It is important for you to give your health professional as complete a picture about your health (both recent and in the past) as possible. Even if you think that it may not be relevant, it may still be very important information.

Why: This can be a very sensitive topic, and may include instances of forced anal entry/intercourse or sexual abuse. Whilst perhaps being a difficult topic to discuss, the symptoms you may be currently experiencing may actually have some relationship to recent or past anal trauma.

Why: Your personal hygiene habits hygiene products may play a role in causing disease processes which can result in anal symptoms, particularly skin products (creams, lotions, powders).

Why: may indicate perianal haematoma, strangulated internal hemorrhoids, perianal abscess, anal fissure, anal herpes, ulcerative proctitis, proctalgia fugax or rectal ulcer.

Why: predisposes to hemorrhoids, perianal haematoma, rectal prolapse, faecal incontinence, anal fissure, skin tags and itch.

Why: may indicate perianal haematoma, hemorrhoids, colorectal or anal cancer, rectal polyp, anal fissure, rectal ulcer or diverticulitis.

Why: may occur with benign or malignant rectal tumors.

Why: may indicate perianal abscess.

Why: may indicate hemorrhoids, genital warts, fissure, local dermatitis.

Why: may indicate malignancy.