Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Proctalgia fugax is intensive and immediate cramp or spasm of rectal muscles. It is like a stabbing pain or electric shock which lasts between few seconds and five minutes and then is self resolved. Being quite scary, these short scenes are not harmful.
He enquires on specific questions concerning your pain attacks (lasting and frequency); bowel movements, diet, level of stress and any new surgery or child delivery.
A mild digital rectal examination evaluates the tone of the pelvic floor muscles, examines the presence or absence of tenderness or tight bands, and eliminates blunt anatomical problems.
He examines the anal canal with a small anoscope to rule out hemorrhoids, fissures or other lesions that may resemble proctalgia fugax.
Simple laboratory testing (CBC, inflammatory markers) may be used to exclude the possibility of infection, inflammatory bowel disease or other systemic conditions.
Biofeedback examination to gauge the level of muscle coordination and injections using ultrasound to determine the location of spasm.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
These acute anal spasms can be attributed to contracted pelvic floor muscles, stress or anxiety, having low fiber content in the diet, dehydration, IBS or sitting in one place.
Yes. Diets based on fiber and sufficient amounts of water will facilitate bowel movement, decrease strain and prevent muscle spasms.
It is within 1-2 weeks that most patients are observed to be improving due to the lifestyle changes, exercises, as well as prescribed medications or creams.
Absolutely. Administered in a qualified physician, Botox injections are safe in relaxing the anal muscles in order to prevent spasms.
There is no need of general anesthesia. Dr. Pothuri applies a benzodiazepine numbing lotion to make the procedure painless and fast.
Although recurrence of spasms is possible, the majority of patients act in the long-term with dietary recommendations, hydration, pelvic exercises, and managing stress.
