The Rectum's "Magic Wand"

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

How many readers suffer from constant rectal irritation? And no medication has brought relief? Or how many have undergone a hemorrhoid operation and their discomfort continues? It may be that many are afflicted with a common, but often overlooked condition called, "Anusitis", an inflamed area, just inside the anus. Relief from this annoyance may be as close as the refrigerator.

Dr. William Rudd, Director of the Rudd Clinic for Colon and Rectal Surgery, in Toronto, claims that for years doctors have failed to diagnose anusitis.

DR. Rudd and his colleagues examined 100 consecutive patients who were referred to the clinic for rectal problems. Both the referring doctors and the patients believed their symptoms were due to hemorrhoids. But only 31 per cent actually had this problem. 34 per cent suffered from anusitis. The rest had a variety of anal and rectal troubles.

How could so many physicians fail to notice this inflamed area? Rudd says missing it is as easy as falling off a log for several reasons.

Dr. Rudd describes the anal canal as the bowel's "no�man's land". It's only 3.0 centimeters (1.2 inches) in length. Moreover, unlike the higher rectal area the anal canal is always collapsed. A collapsed bowel isn't as easy to see as one that's dilated.

But Rudd also explains there's also an important technical problem that makes diagnosis difficult. During sigmoidoscopic examination doctors insert a lighted instrument into the large bowel searching for polyps, inflammation or malignancy. And during the insertion and withdrawal of the sigmoidoscope it passes through the short, collapsed anal canal so quickly that anusitis goes undetected.

What causes anusitis? Rudd claims the main offenders are coffee, beer, colas, pizza and garlic. Antibiotics, diarrhea and tension can be factors. And on rare occasions smoking and food allergies.

Anusitis causes a small amount of discharge around the anal area. This constant wetness macerates the skin and causes multiple tiny cracks which trigger itching.

Patients also complain of a burning sensation inside and outside the anus. There is no swelling, but blood is often found on toilet paper and occasionally considerable bleeding occurs.

Inserting a finger into the anus causes pain.

The long term treatment of this inflammation is diet. But immediate relief is as close as the refrigerator. There's nothing new about the application of cold temperature (cryotherapy) to relieve swelling and pain of sports injuries.

But until recently no one thought of using cryotherapy to soothe the symptoms of anal irritation. Rudd prescribes a reusable probe called, "Anurex" with a cold retaining gel. Anurex is inserted into the anus like a rectal suppository after it's been cooled in the freezer of the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour.

A water soluble lubricant is applied to the probe and anus before insertion. The cooling quickly decreases the local blood flow, inflammation and swelling. This relieves the pain, discharge and bleeding. And since Anurex acts directly on the anal canal it is much safer than a chemical or steroid.

The Anurex probe is left in the rectum for six minutes, removed, washed, placed back in the Anurex container and then back in the freezer.

Do patients enjoy having a cold probe inserted into the rectum? Rudd admits that some don't care for it and need to be motivated to use it.

How often can the probe be used? Rudd says it can be used every hour because it's safe. But in most instances it should be used twice a day for two weeks. Then once daily for another two weeks. Patients can then use it as needed.

How successful is Anurex? In a series of 220 patients 90 per cent were relieved of itching and burning within one to two days. And it also helps those who say, "I have a leakage that stains my underwear." Small wonder that some patients call it their "magic wand".

Rudd relates how one patient suddenly developed intense anal irritation while on a small sailing boat in the Caribbean. She had been quickly relieved by Anurex in the past, but had forgotten to pack it. However, she was a very resourceful woman. She placed crushed ice in a condom and used this homemade device to get immediate relief.

I asked Dr Rudd if he ever uses Anurex in combination with steroids. Now and then he resorts to this approach in resistant cases. But 95 per cent of the time he relies solely on cryotherapy.

What about the recurrence rate? Rudd says it depends on whether patients change dietary practices. Bowel habits must be regulated by a high fiber diet and increased water intake.

Anurex can be obtained in most pharmacies. It's manufactured by Anurex Corporation, 2895 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Florida, 33137.

W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones

Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod