What is an anal fissure and how can it be used?
If you suffer from pain in your anus, try a treatment plan. Your doctor will ask you to do some tests and find out what the cause of your discomfort is so that they can perform a diagnosis and suggest the best treatment plan for your condition. Treatment plans can range from simple changes in diet and lifestyle changes all the way up to complex surgery. In this article, we’ll discuss anal fissures and what causes them, what can happen if you have one, and which treatments are available. Keep reading to learn more!
What are anal fissures? Share on Pinterest Image credit: Getty Images Why is my anus sore? The anal sphincter is a muscle-like structure just below the anal opening or opening and runs down into the rectum. This muscular wall helps support the entire inside of your body including the pelvic organs and intestines. When there is too much pressure on the anal sphincter (or when the opening around the anal sphincter becomes blocked with stool), there is intense pain in the flank area called “the anal fissure.” There are two types of fissures: open anal fissures and closed anal fissures. Open fissures occur when there is no obstruction. Closed fissures form as a result of prolonged abdominal pressure. Some fissures are caused by fecal impaction which means that you are constantly pushing and compressing your bowels beyond their normal capacity. Other reasons for open fissures include severe constipation, hemorrhoids, and other gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Closed fissures usually are not treated but can be caused by a large bowel movement or another type of obstruction. A person may have both open fissures and closed ones, or even just one type of fissure. Symptoms of an anal fissure vary and may include a sharp throbbing pain in your lower back or abdomen when you sit down; frequent urge to use the toilet; gas; stomach bloating; and loose stools. Common signs of an anal fissure open the anal sphincter can be treated can be treated in several ways by using medication, surgery, or both. Medications Painkillers can help relieve the symptoms of pain associated with the anal fissure. Examples include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or ibuprofen as these medications won’t have any side effects. Over time, over-the-counter options and medications will also help manage the pain. Surgery If the problem isn’t sufficiently relieved with painkillers, it might be worth considering surgery. Although surgical intervention is rarely required unless there is significant bleeding or other complications, the procedure is often performed in order to remove excess tissue or reduce infection risk. For example, a surgeon can take skin folds outside the anal canal during surgery so that the anal sphincter doesn’t get damaged during the process. Surgeons will have to carefully remove this tissue and then insert a mesh tube down the wall of the anal sphincter. Using a mesh tube allows the surgeon to seal off the affected area and restore normal anal function. Depending on the size of your anal incision, a laparoscopy or robotic surgery may also be recommended. However, if you have open fissures that need to be permanently repaired, a traditional cutaneous incision is more common. Laparoscopic surgery can repair damage to your anal sphincter. Doctors need to operate gently and meticulously to prevent infections from forming along the edges of your anal opening. Also, it’s important to keep track of the number of stitches you receive as the results of each stitch can affect the length of your bowel movements. Surgical treatment for anal fissures has become less invasive over the past few years, but the overall risks and recovery times are still higher than for internal medicine or gastroenterology. One reason why it’s so difficult to treat anal fissures is because treating it requires special care and the patient has to stay in hospital longer than those who have other illnesses. Another explanation is that many people don’t know about anal fissures or aren’t willing to consider the possibility of undergoing surgery until symptoms persist for a long period of time. Even though anal fissures take longer to heal, they’re generally permanent. You can always try different drugs at home, but most will require medical attention. Lifestyle changes If the above treatments are unsuccessful, treating the anal fissures by changing the habits of the patient will likely improve their health outcomes. These include making sure you eat healthy foods rich in fiber, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, having regular exercise, and trying new things like spicy food or coffee. By taking these steps, you can increase your chances of preventing anal fissures. More information on the treatment of anal fissures can be found in full in our guide here. Ask a nurse or healthcare professional about possible alternatives to treatments if none seem to work. They may also recommend that the patient stop smoking and drinking excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol.
What can happen if I have an anal fissure? As mentioned earlier, open or closed fissures occur when the anal canal gets pushed and compressed into a tunnel or obstructed by something like feces. Sometimes, this occurs during periods of stress or poor hygiene. Open fissures can progress very quickly. With time, more hair will grow on this part of the anal wall, increasing the likelihood that further problems will arise. Occasionally, this can lead to tears and, ultimately, complete abscess formation. If you have either open or closed fissures, it is important to make sure you are aware of what is going on and how to go about treating it. Possible things that could affect your healing process are: Abdominal pain due to increased strain on the anal sphincter when you sit or stand too close to the toilet
Chronic diarrhea (which can also form an abscess)
Bloating
Nausea
Irritability/exhaustion
Loss of appetite and loss of energy
Abdominal cramps
Weight loss
Fever
Pains in the region where your anus is located
