Anal Warts

Anal warts, also known as condyloma, are growths found around the anus, in the anal canal or in the lower rectum. They first appear as very tiny blemishes and grow larger over a period of time.

Anal warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual intercourse and is highly contagious. However, the anal warts need not be a resultant of anal intercourse. These same warts may also appear on the genital organs.

Anal warts have no symptoms. The patients may at the most complain about itching, minor bleeding and moisture in the anal area.A doctor can diagnose anal warts by inspecting the area around the anus or by using an anoscope. An anoscope is a small instrument, which can be inserted into the anus to inspect the anal canal.

Treatment of the warts is a must. If they are not removed, they may grow bigger as time passes. In addition, studies also show that if left untreated for a long period of time, these warts may turn cancerous. If the warts are small and are spread over a small area, then they can be treated with medicines that are applied directly on the warts`. Another form of treatment is cauterization where the area around the wart is numbed with local anesthesia and the wart is burnt electrically. Finally, the wart may also be removed surgically.

It is important to remember that a single round of treatment will not cure you completely. Close follow-up is very necessary as the virus may still reside in your body and may cause the appearance of new warts.

Another approach to get rid of these warts could be Ayurveda, it is an ancient system of medicine and preventive health care. Ayurveda approaches this issue in an all-together different manner, as it believes that nothing can exist in isolation. Everything including diet, lifestyle, work, relationships has an effect on health and general well-being. It tries to reach the core of the issue and resolve the reason. And if the symptoms can be cured, then the warts will never appear again. Ayurveda also strengthens the immune system to make it more difficult for the warts to reappear. Application of Neem based cream developed on Ayurvedic principles has been effective against this virus. Modern medicine is beginning to believe that there might be something in Ayurveda that makes it very powerful and popular and so a lot of research is being done on it. Many people are now seeking Ayurveda to cure conditions such as genital warts. You can also give it a try. However, this form of treatment should not be used as a substitute for a consultation with a qualified physician.

Another set of good news I came across while surfing the net is an article where in 2006, a HPV vaccine "Gardasil' was approved by the FDA for use in girls and women aged 9-26. This vaccine has been shown to be safe and 100% effective in preventing infection with the four most common HPV types (6, 11, 16, and 18) in women who have had no previous exposure to the virus. However, it is less effective in women who have already been infected with HPV, and it does not protect against all types of HPV infection. Studies are underway to determine whether the vaccine is safe and effective in older women and in males. Day is not far when this problem will have complete solution.

A question most often asked by people who have already suffered from these types of warts is to how to avoid the re-occurrence. The following suggestions may be helpful:

• Continuous observation after the appearance of the last wart for several months is very necessary
• Sexual partners must undergo a check
• You should try to avoid sexual intercourse while the treatment is on.
• Condoms provide some protection.

As prevention is better than cure, it is advisable to take these precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of this rather uncomfortable disease. And it is highly recommended that you don't loose time by being shy as there is nothing to be embarrassed about, it is a disease and should be dealt with adequately. Keep in mind that even minor symptoms can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition and a timely diagnosis could save your life.