Some areas in the body, like the anus, can experience a lot of stress, pressure and trauma that can lead to small cracks or tears in the skin, called fissures. Fissures can affect both men and women and about 20 % of the population suffer from an anal fissure. Fissures are fairly common but are also easily treatable.
What Causes Fissure?
Fissures are caused because of trauma in the anal region, resulting from the following:
- Chronic constipation
- Diarrhea
- Straining during bowel movements
- Infections
- Childbirth
- Anal cancer
- Aging, which can lead to decreased blood flow to the anus and rectum
- Lack of lubrication during anal intercourse
Fissures are also more common in people suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease. Some medications which dry out your stool can also cause constipation and result in anal fissures.
How Can You Tell If You Have Anal Fissures?
The primary symptom of anal fissures is pain. It can start as mild pain but can increase in intensity if left untreated. Let’s look at some common symptoms associated with anal fissure:
- Pain during bowel movements
- Bright red bleeding during bowel movements
- Itching and burning around the anus
- A visible tear or crack in the skin around the anus
- Muscle spasms in the anal area
- Discomfort or pain when sitting
- Difficulty passing stools
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential to visit a doctor and get properly diagnosed before starting treatment. Unfortunately, many people mis-self-diagnose anal fissures (which could also be hemorrhoids) and self-prescribe wrong treatment which only worsen the condition.
How Are Anal Fissures Treated?
Mild cases of anal fissures are treated by reducing the trauma in the anal area. This includes softening the stool, lubricating the anal canal, using muscle relaxers, soothing the area with warm baths, etc. With enough help to heal, the fissures may close and you can get relief.
However, if fissures are too big, surgery is the only safe course of treatment. “This surgery is done as an outpatient procedure and patients can usually get back to their normal lives in just 2 weeks,” says Dr Mustafa Razvi, a Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist & Gastro Cancer Surgeon with 15+ years of experience. While the surgery is a simple one to an experienced surgeon, the success of it hugely depends on the post-surgery care. Medications are given to manage any pain, prevent any infection, and soften the stool. In addition, the patient must maintain very good hygiene, follow a fiber-rich diet, and refrain from performing any strenuous activities during the recovery period. The gradual recovery must also be monitored by your surgeon so that any complications can be avoided. So, it is crucial that you do not miss out on any doctor’s appointments.
