‘Nerve pain’ in the ANUS or RECTUM, without any local disease to account for it. Proctalgia fugax is a condition more common in men, characterised by cramp-like pains in the rectum and occasionally accompanied by a feeling of faintness. Occurring at night and lasting up to 15 minutes, the cause is unknown, but is probably due to muscle spasm. Rapid relief may be achieved by taking food or drink, exerting perineal pressure (including inserting a ?nger into the rectum), or sucking a 1 mg tablet of GLYCERYL TRINITRATE.
(proctodynia) n. pain in the rectum or anus. In proctalgia fugax sudden severe pain affects the rectum and may last for seconds to minutes; the pain resolves fully with no ongoing symptoms, and attacks may be days or months apart. There is no structural disease and the pain is probably due to muscle spasm (see irritable bowel syndrome). Relief is sometimes obtained from a bowel action, inserting a finger into the rectum, or from a hot bath. It may be prevented by measures used in treating the irritable bowel syndrome.
Health Encyclopedia