Anal Fissure Treatment Specialist in Cypress and The Woodlands, TX

An anal fissure is a small tear that occurs in the tissue of the anus, leading to significant discomfort or complications associated with bowel movements. They are most commonly seen in infants but can occur at any age. While there are several effective methods of treating anal fissures, there are some complications that can occur if the fissure is left untreated including:

• Increased risk of developing an anal fissure again
• Development into a chronic condition that causes the fissure to become increasingly difficult to treat, requiring more invasive options to ensure proper healing
• The tear extending to the muscle that is the sphincter of the anus, causing significant discomfort or pain and making it more difficult to properly treat

The most common symptoms that will be associated with anal fissures include:

• Blood in the stool or on the toilet paper following a bowel movement that is bright red in color
• Experienced pain during bowel movements
• Pain that lasts for several hours following a bowel movement
• The formation of a skin tag or small lump on the skin close to the fissure
• A small crack that can be visible on the skin around the anus

It is also very common to experience constipation and increased difficulty passing stool during a bowel movement due to the pain or discomfort that is associated. Some patients may also experience muscle spasms located in the anal sphincter, which is the ring of muscle that closes the anus.

The most common cause of anal fissures is passing a significantly hard or large stool that causes trauma to the soft tissues of the anus done by straining and stretching of the anal canal. Other common causes for anal fissures include increased straining during bowel movements due to constipation, chronic diarrhea, childbirth, and anal intercourse. There are some health conditions that increase the risk of developing anal fissures but that are less common causes for the fissures, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, for example), HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis, and anal cancer. Other risk factors include childbirth, as they are more common in patients after they have given birth vaginally or those who are prone to suffering from constipation. If you know that you are at an increased risk of developing an anal fissure, there are some recommendations to keep in mind to help reduce the chances of reoccurrence, specifically by preventing the frequency of constipation or diarrhea, including maintaining a higher quantity of foods that are high in fiber, drinking plenty of water to stay sufficiently hydrated, and exercising regularly to encourage regular bowel movements that do not require significant strain to pass. It may also prove to be beneficial to avoid consuming nuts and spicy foods.

If you are experiencing pain associated with an anal fissure for multiple days and the home remedies have not proven to be helpful, or there is a small amount of blood in the stool or while wiping after a bowel movement, it is time to schedule an appointment with a health care provider. Some at-home remedies that you can try if the pain is minimal and just in the early stages include taking stool softeners to reduce pain and strain occurring during bowel movements, taking over-the-counter pain medication, sitting at least hip-deep in a tub of hot water several times a day to help reduce pain and muscle spasms, and consuming more foods that are high in fiber such as fruits and vegetables. Emergency medical attention should be sought if you are experiencing a significant amount of bleeding from the rectum that won’t stop, particularly if it is causing feelings of faintness, light-headedness or dizziness, and pain in the anus that significantly worsens, spreads, or you develop chills, a fever, or discharge from the anus.

Dr. Nsikak Umoh at Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic is known for his expertise in anal fissure treatment and commitment to patient care. By choosing him as your doctor, you can rest assured that you’ll receive top-notch medical treatment for your colorectal condition. We serve patients from The Woodlands TX, Cypress TX, Shenandoah TX, Rose Hill TX, Conroe TX, Louetta TX, Tomball TX, Magnolia TX, Montgomery TX, Cleveland TX, Houston TX, Kingwood TX, Humble TX, Willis TX, and beyond.