An anal fissure can be a distressing and uncomfortable condition affecting the anal region. Although often considered a taboo subject, it is essential to address the anal fissure symptoms, causes, and available anal fissure treatment and remedies to promote understanding and support those experiencing this condition. An anal fissure is a widespread anorectal condition often associated with elevated internal anal sphincter pressures. It is essentially a linear or oval-shaped small tear or split in the anal canal, which can cause pain, discomfort, and sometimes rectal bleeding.[1] This encompasses the answer to what is anal fissure.
A patient suffering from anal fissure usually heals without having to opt for operative management by choosing a high-fiber diet, sitz baths, and pharmacological agents. Only in cases where such non-operative options do not work anymore can a surgical anal fissure treatment such as lateral internal sphincterotomy be reached out for. [1]
In this article, we will go into a detailed discussion of the anal fissure symptoms, causes, remedies, and the anal fissure meaning.
What are the causes of anal fissures?
It is believed that an anal fissure typically occurs when the delicate tissues surrounding the anus are stretched beyond their limits, and the anal canal undergoes trauma. While anyone can develop an anal fissure, it is more common in individuals who engage in activities that strain the anus, which may come about from a variety of reasons, including:
- One of the anal fissure causes is trauma to the anoderm during the passage of hard or large bowel movements.[2]
- Local irritation from diarrhea[2]
- Anorectal surgery
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome[2]
- Yet another of the various anal fissure causes is engaging in anal intercourse[1]
- Decreased blood circulation in the area [3]
- Excessive tension in the sphincter muscles that control the anus[3]
What are the symptoms of anal fissures?
The most common anal fissure symptoms include intense pain during and after bowel movements. The pain is often described as sharp and tearing that can last for hours. In addition to pain, individuals may experience other anal fissure symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, typically bright red and visible on the toilet paper or in the stool. Some patients may also notice itching, irritation, or a small lump near the anal opening that could be the source of their pain.[1]
What are the remedies for anal fissures?
In case of severe or acute anal fissure symptoms, the only anal fissure treatment could be through surgical intervention, especially when conservative measures do not yield satisfactory results. These may include medical procedures such as Anal dilation, Lateral internal sphincterotomy, Advance flaps, or Fissurectomy.[1] Fortunately, various remedies are available to alleviate the discomfort caused by anal fissures.
- Getting rid of the underlying pathology that is responsible for the anal fissure by taking care of constipation and strains
- Another popular anal fissure treatment is relaxing the internal anal sphincter to improve blood flow and allow healing by adopting a variety of therapies.
- Alleviating the anal fissure symptoms, which are primarily bleeding and pain[1] Some of the best home remedies for anal fissure include:
- Adopting a high-fiber diet and staying hydrated.
- Going for warm sitz baths improves hygiene, soothes and decreases pain and the hypertonicity of the anal canal, and enhances the healing process.
- Establishing regular bowel habits
- Over-the-counter topical anal fissure ointment or creams containing agents such as glyceryl trinitrate can provide temporary relief from pain and promote healing [1]
FAQs
An anal fissure treatment at home is to take care of the diet and drink lots of water, include more fresh fruits and vegetables in it, and avoid spicy foods and nuts while the symptoms last.
While most of the time, an anal fissure takes a couple of days to nearly a week to heal, in other cases, like in chronic anal fissures, the symptoms usually last more than eight weeks. In case a patient is under treatment for chronic anal fissure, it may take about 6-12 weeks for the medicine to start working and the condition to heal.
The acute or temporary anal fissures sometimes go away by themselves and may not require any treatment at all. However, some might need a prescription cream or anal fissure ointment for temporary pain relief, but if the condition does not heal even after several weeks, it needs surgical treatment.[2]
Conclusion
To answer the question, what is an anal fissure, an anal fissure is a prevalent pathophysiological condition associated with elevated sphincter pressures. It is essential to correctly diagnose the problem first to rectify it through various conservative and modern ways of healing. In this article, we have attempted to raise awareness about this painful affliction and help understand the symptoms of anal fissures. We have also explored the various types of care, support, and remedies that can be adopted by a patient suffering from anal fissure to bring down discomfort and heighten the quality of life. Some of these include effective anal fissure treatment at home, such as having a high-fiber diet, avoiding constipation, and using anal fissure ointment and stool softeners.[2]
Disclaimer
This article is written from a health and wellness perspective and is not medical advice. Kindly seek the help of a certified medical practitioner before initiating any treatment.
