Article: DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF BLEEDING PER RECTUM AND AYURVEDIC STYPTIC MEASURES: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.1204126

Pages: 154-160

Author: Shivanand Patil *, M. D. Samudri

Abstract: A greater part of the population has experienced rectal bleeding at any stage of their life span. Bleeding per rectum is the commonest but alarming symptom of all the anorectal complaints of the patients attending OPDs. Many of the general practitioners involved in rural areas, detain per rectal and proctoscopic examination of anorectal primary care patients, consequently, most of the serious illnesses may forego undiagnosed and could become life-threatening and economically overburden the patient. Differential diagnosis plays a key role in treating effectively. Ayurvedic literature has accredited several diseases with symptoms of bleeding per rectum. In most of the pittaja and raktaja variety of pakvashayagata (related to the colon) and gudagata rogas (related to anus & rectum), bleeding per rectum is the commonest symptom. The literature has given the number of etiological factors and many ailments causing bleeding per rectum such as age, habitat, food habits, occupation, and habits. Detailed history regarding these and nature of bleeding, amount of bleeding, colour etc. may certainly help to differentiate the diseases. This article highlights disease wise features and nature of bleeding, recommended investigations and colonoscopic examination which will differentiate and confirm the diagnosis. And also lists out several Ayurvedic styptic medicines which facilitate the cessation of bleeding when used judiciously according to dosha and vyadhi avastha.   

Keyword: Bleeding Per Rectum, Ayurveda, Arshas, Gudagata Raktasrava, Ayurvedic styptic measures, styptic therapy, rectal bleed.