Anal Fissure

Anal fissures are a common yet often painful condition affecting the anal canal. While they can be uncomfortable and disruptive, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help individuals manage and alleviate their symptoms effectively. These fissures can occur for various reasons, such as trauma during bowel movements, chronic constipation or diarrhea, inflammation, or conditions affecting the anal area. It’s important to know when you’re dealing with an anal fissure and how you can get the help that you need.

Understanding Anal Fissures

Anal fissures are small tears or cracks in the skin lining the anal canal, which is the passage through which stool passes during bowel movements. Several factors can contribute to the development of anal fissures, including:

• Straining during Bowel Movements: Forceful or prolonged straining during bowel movements can put pressure on the anal canal, leading to tears in the delicate skin lining.
• Chronic Constipation: Hard or large stools associated with chronic constipation can cause trauma to the anal canal, increasing the risk of fissures.
• Diarrhea: Frequent or persistent diarrhea can irritate the anal area and weaken the skin, making it more susceptible to fissures.
• Anal Trauma: Trauma to the anal area, such as from anal intercourse, childbirth, or insertion of foreign objects, can cause tears or injury to the anal tissues.

Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain and discomfort during bowel movements
• Bright, red blood
• Itching, burning, or stinging sensation around the anus
• Pain and discomfort that persists after bowel movements

Your doctor may prescribe a topical cream to help soothe the anus and relieve any symptoms you might experience. It’s important to talk about lifestyle changes that could prevent anal fissures from happening in the future.

Contact Our Doctor Today

Make sure you understand when you might be dealing with anal fissures. Contact Dr. Umoh at Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic in The Woodlands and Cypress, TX, at (832) 663-0037 to learn more about anal fissures and how they’re dealt with.