An anal fissure is tear in the lower rectum associated with pain and bleeding while passing stool.

It is a very painful condition and is usually associated with trauma to the rectal mucosa due to various causes causing tear in the mucosa.

Anal fissures are very common in young infants but can affect people of any age. Most anal fissures get better with simple treatments, such as increased fiber intake or sitz baths. Some people with anal fissures may need medication or, occasionally, surgery.

Risk factors

  • Factors that may increase your risk of developing an anal fissure include:
  • Infancy: Many infants experience an anal fissure during their first year of life.
  • Aging: Older adults may develop an anal fissure partly due to slowed circulation, resulting in decreased blood flow to the rectal area.
  • Constipation: Straining during bowel movements and passing hard stools increase the risk of tearing.
  • Childbirth: Anal fissures are more common in women after they give birth.
  • Crohn's disease: This inflammatory bowel disease causes chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract, which may make the lining of the anal canal more vulnerable to tearing.
  • Anal intercourse.

Complications

Complications of anal fissure can include:

Failure to heal: An anal fissure that fails to heal within six weeks is considered chronic and may need further treatment.

Recurrence: Once you've experienced an anal fissure, you are prone to having another one.

A tear that extends to surrounding muscles: An anal fissure may extend into the ring of muscle that holds your anus closed (internal anal sphincter), making it more difficult for your anal fissure to heal. An unhealed fissure can trigger a cycle of discomfort that may require medications or surgery to reduce the pain and to repair or remove the fissure.

SYMPTOMS & CAUSES

  • Symptoms of anal fissure include:
  • While passing stool sharp pain in anus which is usually severe.
  • Burning is also seen in anus.Itching in anus.
  • Bleeding while passing stool is seen.
  • Sometimes there would be no symptom except bleeding.

CAUSES

Any injury or trauma to the anal canal may cause fissure.

Causes of injury may be:

  • Constipation is common cause of fissure as passing and staring at hard stool may cause tear.
  • In people who pass frequent stool or have frequent diarrhea, tear can occur.When large lump of stool is passed, it may cause tear.
  • If rectal examination is not done properly, it may also tear the lining of the rectum.
  • People who perform anal sex can also suffer from fissures.
  • During child birth a woman can have a tear.

Less common causes of anal fissures include:

Anal cancer

HIV

Tuberculosis

Syphilis

Herpes

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Symptoms and rectal examination is enough to diagnose the case.

TREATMENT

Treatment of fissure includes:

Relieving the symptoms like pain and itching.

Management of the cause for the tear. 

MANAGEMENT

  • Sitz bath is advisable to the patient to relieve the symptoms of fissure.
  • Advice patient to sit in warm water for 20 minutes 2-3 times a day.
  • Avoid chances of constipation.
  • Dietary management of constipation is advised.
  •  Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Be active and do regular physical exercise.
  • Don't strain sitting at the pot.
  • Use toilet when you have the urge.
  • Advice patient to take fibre rich diet and papaya daily.
  • Avoid coffee, carbonated drinks.Don't rub or scratch the area.
  • Take homeopathic medicines. 

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homeopathic medicines not only relieve the symptoms of the fissure but would also help in keeping the stool soft. Constipation can also be relieved by medicines. Consult a homeopath to get the right treatment.

DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Avoid constipation.
  • Do regular exercise.
  • Do sitz bath and sit warm water.
  • Eat healthy fibre rich diet.
  • Use toilet when you have urge to pass stool.

DON’TS

  • Don’t strain.
  • Don’t drink much coffee, carbonated drinks.
  • Don't rub or scratch the anal region.