Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Anal Fissure
It is easy to confuse an anal fissure and a hemorrhoid but while the causes can be similar they actually are very different. So what is an anal fissure and what can be done to avoid them. Anal fissures are also referred to as an anal ulcer is a single shallow crack in the lining of the lower intestinal wall, which also opens to the outside. A fissure begins just inside the anal opening and extends one quarter to one half inch inside the anal wall. An anal fissure can be very painful. Passing stools irritates it, and the anal sphincter muscles, at the opening, may respond by going into a spasm. These combined effects cause extreme pain that is made even worse if the stool is either hard or watery. Despite the pain, a fissure is not dangerous and will probably heal with simple treatment. This is a condition that should not be ignored however, because fissure can become chronic, scar tissue can form and restrict bowel movements, and you may have to have surgery to correct the problem. Often the cause of an anal fissure isn’t clear. Posterior fissures, along the back anal wall are probably the result of struggling with constipation or passing large, hard stools which cause the anus to stretch too much and tear. Anterior fissures, along the front wall, are usually related to scar tissue buildup from a previous surgery or to the extreme pressure that the anal region endures during child birth. Anal fissures can also be a sub effect of another condition, such as proctitis (inflammation of the rectum), Crohn’s Disease, or colorectal cancer. Symptoms * Drops of bright red blood on bowel movement, toilet tissue, or clothing; occasionally the bleeding is more severe. * Tearing or burning pain in the anal region during bowel movement; a dull aching sensation may persist for several hours. * A small piece of skin at the end of the fissure (called a “sentinel pile”) may show outside the anus. * Hard or infrequent stools, usually from delaying painful bowel movements. Conventional Treatment A stool softener or psyllium may reduce the possibility of re-injury by hard bowel movements, while lubricating and soothing the lower rectum. Lubricant suppositories also can be helpful. A warm sitz bath for 10 to 15 minutes after each bowel movement eases discomfort and helps increase blood flow, which promotes healing. Promising experimental treatments have been developed to reduce sphincter spasm and promote healing of fissures, including injection of the sphincter with toxins from Clostridium botulinum bacteria and application of nitroglycerin ointment or calcium channel blockers to the area of the fissure. When these measures fail, surgery may be needed. Sphincter spasm can be relieved either by stretching (dilating) the anus or by cutting the internal sphincter (internal anal spincterotomy). Healing Practicing good anal hygiene to avoid infection and keeping stools soft to minimize pain and spasm will encourage healing. Anal fissures, however, often reappear. Sadly, surgery is the only treatment currently known that can break the cycle, and thus is the most commonly suggested course of treatment by health care professionals. Prevention Actually prevention is fairly straight forward in nature. Prevention involves avoiding constipation and diarrhea through diet and exercise. Among other benefits, a healthy diet and regular exercise promote good bowel health and offer protection against anal fissures. Helpful Natural Remedies for Constipation & Bowel Health |
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