An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus. An anal fissure may occur when you pass hard or large stools during a bowel movement. You also may experience spasms in the ring of muscle at the end of your anus. Anal fissures usually extend from the anal opening. They are usually located posteriorly in the midline, probably because of the relatively unsupported nature and poor perfusion of the anal wall in that location. Fissure depth may be superficial or sometimes down to the underlying sphincter muscle. Anal fissures don’t cause any serious problem, but they are very uncomfortable. It is probably seen in infants and young children since constipation especially chronic constipation can lead to fissures.
Anal fissures got diagnosed by a rectal exam and visualization of the area and are often confused with piles. The most common symptom of anal fissures is anal pain that worsens during and after passing bowel movements. Anal bleeding is also reasonably common. Because these symptoms overlap with those of haemorrhoids, it can be not very easy to distinguish the two. However, pain is less frequent and less associated with bowel movements in haemorrhoids, and a physical exam done by your doctor can help to differentiate the two.
The root cause of the Anal Fissures-
The root causes of the anal fissure are direct trauma to the anal canal, chronic constipation, and chronic diarrhoea. The primary reason for the constant tension is the muscular ring called internal anal sphincter- that surrounds the anal canal. It leads to less bold flow to your anus and makes it harder for the fissure to heal.
Symptoms of Anal Fissures-
- A visible tear in the skin around your anus.
- A small lump of skin next to the tear is visible.
- A feeling of sharp pain in the anal area during bowel movements
- Streaks of blood on stools or toilet paper after wiping.
- Burning or itching in the anal area.
Natural Ways to Promote Healing of an Anal Fissure-
- Avoid the regular use of soap at anus-Regular use of soap to clean your anus can cause the lining of your anal canal to become dry, predisposing it to tears when stretched excessively.
- If your anal sphincter is dry or you have an existing fissure, use coconut oil to moisturize the area
- Take a warm or hot bath at least once a day- Warm water relax your internal anal sphincter, which will allow better blood flow to the regions.
- Work at experiencing comfortable bowel movements-
- Strive to feel emotionally balanced.
Anal Fissures can be kept under control by routine bowel habits. Stay hydrated. Try to keep the anal area dry and use soft, dye-free toilet paper to avoid any possible outcomes. Have enough time in the bathroom to pass bowel movement comfortably. Precaution is always better than cure. So it’s better to maintain healthy habits, eat fresh and drink plenty of water.
Deepti is a young and enthusiastic writer who is currently pursuing PGPM from ICFAI Business School. Along with this, she is a freelance content writer who thinks pen has the power to change the world.
