An anal fissure is a small cut or open ulcer in the delicate lining of the anus. The anal sphincter, a muscle that surrounds the anus, is frequently exposed as a result of the tear. Damage to that muscle might cause it to spasm, further separating the edges of the fissure. Spasms can be painful and impede the healing process. It’s also possible that bowel motions are preventing the cracks from healing.
An anal fissure is generally considered acute when it has occurred only for six weeks. Chronic anal fissure when it reoccurs in less than six weeks. Visiting a fissure hospital on the right helps reduce inflammation and provides immediate relief from the fissure.
What are the warning signs of an anal fissure?
The most common signs of the condition include:
- Pain in the anal area
- Pain while passing bowels
- Experiencing pain even after bowel movements
- Blood loss through the anus
- Traces of blood on the stool
What are the most common causes of anal fissures?
- Passing solid and comparatively large bowels
- Constipation
- Constant straining while passing bowels
- Extreme diarrhea
- Childbirth
Less common reasons for anal fissures include
- HIV
- Tuberculosis
- Anal cancer
What are the risk factors that may be responsible for developing anal fissures?
Constipation:
Severe straining while passing bowels and also passing comparatively large stools can increase the risk of anal tear. The ‘normal’ frequency of bowel opening varies a lot from person to person. For some people, going to the bathroom 2-3 times a day is normal, and the last three days without a bowel movement are unheard of. Going more frequently than every 2-3 days might be strange for others. Constipation occurs when your stools become firm, making it more difficult and/or painful to pass them, or when you pass them less frequently than usual.
Childbirth: Anal fissures are quite common in women who give birth.
Crohn’s Disease: Irritable bowel disease produces persistent inflammation of the intestinal tract, which can render the anal canal lining more sensitive to ripping.
Age: Anal fissures tend to occur at any age, but they are quite common in children and middle-aged people.
What happens if an anal fissure is not treated?
Healing trouble:
If an anal fissure does not heal in eight weeks, it is termed chronic and may require additional therapy. An unhealed fissure can set off a vicious cycle of agony that may necessitate the use of drugs or bowel fissure surgery to relieve the pain and repair or remove the fissure.
Recurrence:
If you’ve had an anal fissure before, you’re more likely to get another.
Extended muscle tear:
An anal fissure that extends into the muscle ring that keeps your anus closed (the internal anal sphincter) can make healing your anal fissure more challenging.
What are the best treatments for an anal fissure?
There are various ways to treat anal fissures, though the fissures tend to recover on their own, In cases where the anal fissure is considered chronic and medical treatment is provided, the most recommended treatment by general surgeons for anal fissures includes:
External treatment:
Ointments that help in treating the cut, promote healing, and help in relaxing the sphincter muscle. External treatments also relax the spasms, and they are quite effective.
Laxatives:
Laxatives are a type of drug that can make it easier for you to move your bowels.
Bulk-forming laxative tablets or granules are commonly recommended for adults with an anal fissure. These aid in the retention of fluid in your poop, making it softer and less likely to dry up.
An osmotic laxative oral solution is commonly administered to children with an anal fissure. This sort of laxative promotes the body’s need to poop by raising the amount of fluid in the bowels.
Topical anesthetics:
If you have severe anal pain, your anal fissure specialists may prescribe a topical anaesthetic to numb your anus before you go to the bathroom.
A topical drug is one that is applied directly to the affected region. It won’t repair the cracks, but it can help with the pain.
Surgery:
Surgery is generally considered the last resort in treatment. It is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for anal fissures, with over 9 out of 10 people reporting positive long-term outcomes.
Lateral sphincterotomy:
To help alleviate the stress in your anal canal, a lateral sphincterotomy involves creating a small cut in the ring of muscle encircling the sphincter. This permits the anal fissure to heal and lowers the likelihood of further fissures forming.
It’s a quick and reasonably painless surgery for an anal fissure that’s normally done on a day-to-day basis under general anesthesia. This means you’ll be sleeping when the treatment is performed, but you won’t have to stay in the hospital overnight.
With a solid track record of effectiveness, a lateral sphincterotomy is one of the most successful therapies for anal fissures. Within 2 to 4 weeks, the majority of people will be completely healed.
Advancement of anal flaps:
Advancement anal flaps entail removing healthy tissue from another place in your body and applying it to patch the fissure while also boosting the blood flow to the area.
If you take precautions to keep your stool soft, such as increasing your fibre and fluid intake, anal fissures can heal in a few weeks. Soaking for 10 to 20 minutes in warm water many times a day, especially after bowel motions, can help relax the sphincter and encourage healing. You can reach out to fissure treatment in Pune to undergo advanced medical treatment for fissure.
By avoiding constipation or diarrhoea, you may be able to avoid developing an anal fissure. To avoid needing to strain during bowel motions, eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of water, and exercise often.
