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An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus. It is not a serious health issue, but it can be very painful and sometimes embarrassing to talk about. People experience a lot of pain as well as significant disruption in their daily lives. An anal fissure is caused by two factors: slow stretching of the canal that occurs during constipation and rapid stretching that takes place when a person has a bowel movement.
How are fissures treated? It depends on how severe it is. Doctors usually suggest over-the-counter pain relievers for mild fissures. For moderate to severe fissures, you need to consult your doctor for surgical and non-surgical treatments. People tend to look for a surgical procedure to treat the issue, but there are alternative non-surgical treatments as well. While the term ‘fissure’ might sound simple, the procedure to treat it is often invasive and requires multiple surgeries.
Anoscopy is a simple procedure where a small flexible tube is inserted into the anus to look inside and examine the severity. Generally, the other two procedures, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are performed based on age. Sigmoidoscopy is considered for patients younger than 50, while colonoscopy is suggested for patients older than 50 years.
Causes of Anal Fissure
Anal fissure develops due to several reasons like inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, diarrhoea, chronic coughing, pregnancy, and being overweight. It is characterized by pain and discomfort in the anal area.
Surgical Treatment for Treating Chronic Fissures
- Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy – Lateral internal sphincterotomy is a type of fissure surgery that is done for treating chronic anal fissure. The sphincters are rings of muscles that regulate the passage of stool. In this surgery, the sphincter is separated to allow smooth passage of stool.
- Fissurectomy – Fissurectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the fissures, which are the result of traumatic injury. This procedure can be dangerous and is generally performed only after other methods have been tried and failed. Fissurectomy is the most invasive procedure for anal fissures.
An acute fissure is a very common problem, which affects a large number of the population, especially those in the age group of 20-45 years. It is also known as Haemorrhoid, which causes a lot of discomfort and pain in the patient. Acute fissures can be treated by topical application of medication, which helps to reduce the pain. During this process, you may have to lie down for a short while for the medicine to settle in before you get up.
Acute fissures sometimes heal by themselves or by using simple home treatment. Natural remedies are best suited for the treatment of this condition and are very effective. Warm water is one of the most effective home remedies for fissures as it provides you great relief from the pain. You can apply warm water for a maximum of 20 minutes. If you find this remedy to be effective, you can repeat it up to 3 times a day.
Non-Surgical Treatment for Acute Fissure
Home Remedies
Here are a few effective home remedies:
- Warm sitz baths
- Add fibre to your daily diet (chickpeas, lentils, split peas, lentils, pigeon peas, pumpkin seeds, soyabean, and more)
- Fibre supplements
- Drink a lot of water
- Stool softeners
- Eat plenty of green vegetables
How to Prepare Yourself for the Doctor’s Visit?
It is important to prepare yourself for the doctor’s visit to make the most of it. However, this can be difficult because there is a lot of preparation that has to be done.
- List out your concerns and symptoms
- Personal information & your medical history
- Prepare all the questions you need to ask the doctor
- Make sure you take your family member or a friend with you
Tips to Avoid an Anal Fissure
- Don’t stress during bowel movements.
- Using the washroom when you feel the need to without holding back may eliminate an increase in sphincter tears that may lead to fissures.
The incidence rate of anal fissure in adults is very high, and in most cases, it results in fissures due to chronic constipation. This problem affects men and women equally. The condition can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age. A fissure is usually treated with non-surgical therapy, but in cases where the pain is too severe or the bleeding is not controlled, a surgeon may have to perform a surgical procedure. Fissure pain can sometimes be severe and cause problems while sitting or during a bowel movement.
To prevent a fissure, you need to have a healthy digestive system with regular bowel movements. Eat high-fibre foods, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. In simple words, lead a healthy lifestyle. If you want to stay away from the feeling the discomfort that comes from straining, do follow the above-mentioned home remedies or visit a doctor to get treated for chronic fissure.
