How to cure fissure permanently?
An anal fissure is a tear in the skin surrounding the anus, exposing muscle fibers of the anal canal. This condition often leads to pain and bleeding, aggravated by repeated opening of the tear.
Additionally, spasms of the inner muscle circle in the anal canal, known as the internal sphincter, worsen the discomfort and hinder healing.
While most fissures heal without intervention, some become chronic, impacting the patient’s quality of life and requiring surgical treatment.
Anal fissures can affect individuals across all age groups and are commonly observed in those experiencing chronic constipation or diarrhea. Postpartum women are also frequently affected by this condition.
Causes of Anal Fissures
Anal Fissures causes include:
- Chronic constipation: Prolonged constipation can lead to the development of anal fissures due to the strain placed on the anal tissues during bowel movements.
- Tight anal sphincter muscles: Excessive tension in the muscles surrounding the anus can contribute to the formation of anal Fissures.
- Straining during childbirth: The pressure exerted on the anal region during childbirth can cause tears in the skin, resulting in anal fissures.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both categorized as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), elevate the likelihood of anal fissure development due to inflammation within the digestive tract.
- Other conditions: more rare, but possible causes are tuberculosis, syphilis, anal cancer, and herpes.
Symptoms of Anal Fissures
Common symptoms of anal fissures include:
- Severe discomfort during bowel movements.
- Prolonged pain lasting hours after bowel movements.
- Itching or irritability in the perianal region.
- Visible fissure in the perianal skin.
- Small skin bump near the anal fissure.
- Sharp anal pain during bowel movements.
- Blood on a stool or toilet paper after wiping.
Diagnosing Anal Fissures
Diagnosis methods include:
- Physical examination of the anal area.
- Rectal exam using an anoscope, a slender tube inserted into the anus for detailed assessment.
- Colonoscopy, mainly if over 50 or if symptoms of colon cancer are present.
Also Read: How To Prevent Colon Cancer?
Important Note
- While Anal Fissures are typically not serious, persistence for over six weeks may indicate a chronic condition.
- Simple lifestyle changes such as increasing water and fiber intake can aid natural healing.
- If symptoms persist, your doctor may recommend topical pain relievers and stool softeners.
- Surgical intervention may be necessary for chronic fissures with more profound tears or accompanying fleshy growths, offering a permanent solution for painless bowel movements and improved quality of life.
What are the Treatment options?
Home Remedies
Before seeking medical intervention, consider implementing home remedies and lifestyle adjustments such as:
Lifestyle adjustments and home remedies include:
- Stay Hydrated: Stay hydrated by drinking ample water throughout the day.
- Increase Fiber Intake: Gradually incorporate fiber-rich foods into your diet to promote healing. Strive to incorporate 25 to 30 grams of fiber into your daily diet, sourced from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dietary supplements.
- Avoid Prolonged Straining: Minimize time spent on the toilet to prevent unnecessary strain on the anal canal. Ensure gentle and thorough cleaning after bowel movements using non-irritating products (ideally with water, alternatively with wet non-perfumed wipes)
- Respond to Bowel Urges: Avoid suppressing the urge to pass stool, as holding it in can lead to constipation and exacerbate fissures.
- Consider Laxatives: If dietary changes do not alleviate symptoms, consult a doctor about safe laxative options to relieve constipation.
Non-surgical treatments
Initial management may involve non-invasive approaches to address Anal Fissures.
Some available methods include:
- Sitz Baths: Warm sitz baths help reduce pain and anal spasm associated with anal fissures. Immersion therapy at 40°C for 5 minutes has been shown to lower anal pressures significantly.
- Topical Medications: There are different medications that can be given topically in the form of cream, oil or ointments. The most effective ones are addressed to help reducing the sphincter spasm and increasing the blood flow in the area, but others are based on local anesthetics and lubrication. In any case, you should avoid those containing corticosteroids, as these impair the healing and scaring process and thinner the skin in the long term.
- Botulinum Toxin Injection: Used to relax anal sphincter muscles, especially for chronic fissures unresponsive to conservative treatments. Its effects are temporary, lasting a few months. However, this is a good alternative for those cases in which the surgery is too risky or not desired.
- Treating Underlying Conditions: If fissures are associated with Crohn’s disease or tuberculosis, appropriate medication for the underlying condition may be initiated.
Also Read: Hemorrhoids: A Comprehensive Guide To Understanding And Treating Hemorrhoids
How to cure fissure with surgery?
Surgical Options
Below are surgical techniques for treating fissures in Dubai:
- Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy: During this procedure, a minor cut is made in the internal anal sphincter muscle to alleviate spasms and pressure in the anal canal, aiding in the recovery of chronic fissures unresponsive to conservative therapies.
- Advancement Flaps: This surgical approach involves creating a new blood supply to the Anal Fissure area to promote healing. It’s usually considered after other surgical treatments have been ineffective. During the procedure, a flap of tissue is created near the fissure and then advanced over it, providing coverage and protection.
- Fissurectomy: This procedure targets acute anal fissures unresponsive to non-surgical treatments. It involves removing the fissure and facilitating healing. During the surgery, the damaged tissue of the fissure is excised, including the margins, base curettage, and removal of any hypertrophied papilla or scar tissue.
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Dr. Daniel Serralta can help you overcome discomfort and achieve long-term healing with personalized care and practical solutions.
Don’t let an Anal Fissure disrupt your life any longer. Take the first step toward better health and wellness by consulting with Dr. Daniel Serralta today.
