Anal Fissure

Anal fissures are a relatively common condition that can cause discomfort and concern for those affected. While the condition is not life-threatening, it can significantly impact an individual's quality of life due to the pain and bleeding associated with bowel movements. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is essential for effective anal fissure prevention and management.

What is Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure is a small split or tear in the lining of the anal canal, the last part of the rectum. The fissure typically appears as a crack in the skin when the area is slightly stretched and is usually located in the middle of the anus. Anal fissures can cause painful bowel movements, bleeding, and may lead to the development of a visible lump or skin tag near the affected area.

There are two main types of anal fissures: acute and chronic.

Acute Anal Fissure

An acute anal fissure is a newly formed tear in the anal lining, usually caused by trauma or strain during a bowel movement. It is characterised by the sudden onset of pain and bleeding during bowel movements. In most cases, acute fissures heal on their own within a few weeks with the help of self-care measures.

Chronic Anal Fissure

A chronic anal fissure is a tear that persists for more than 8 weeks without healing. Chronic fissures can cause persistent pain, bleeding, and muscle spasms in the anal region. Chronic anal fissure treatment may involve medication or surgical intervention to promote healing and alleviate symptoms.

Anal fissure symptoms can be quite distressing. They include:

• Severe pain during and after bowel movements, which can last for several hours

• A sharp, tearing, or burning sensation

• Bright red blood on the stool, toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl

• Visible tear or cut in the anal area

• Cramping and itching around the anus

• Bad-smelling discharge

These uncomfortable symptoms can make you dread having a bowel movement, but avoiding going to the toilet can worsen the fissure. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor for a proper anal fissure diagnosis and treatment plan.

Anal fissures typically progress through several stages of healing:

1. Initial Stage: The fissure develops due to trauma or strain on the anal lining, resulting in pain and bleeding.

2. Healing Stage: Most fissures heal independently within a few weeks with self-care measures such as high-fibre diets, stool softeners, and warm sitz baths.

3. Chronic Stage: If the fissure does not heal within 8 weeks, it is considered chronic and may require further treatment, including medication or surgery.

The healing process of anal fissures is crucial in determining the appropriate course of treatment and management.

The following factors usually cause anal fissures:

• Trauma or Injury to the Lining of the Anal Canal: The most common cause of trauma or injury is passing large or hard stools, which can happen when you're constipated. Chronic diarrhoea is another frequent cause, as the frequent passage of stool can irritate the anal lining.

• Certain Medical Conditions: Certain conditions can also increase your risk of developing an anal fissure, including:

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

  • Sexually transmitted infections that affect the anorectal area

• Childbirth: The pressure of a baby passing through the birth canal during delivery can also cause a fissure.

Thus, any kind of trauma or excessive pressure on the anal canal, whether from difficult bowel movements or an underlying health condition, can lead to the development of a painful anal fissure.

Majorly Affected People

While an anal fissure can happen to anyone, it tends to be more common in young people between the ages of 15 and 40. Children can also be affected. Anal fissures strike men and women equally.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing an anal fissure. Some of these factors include:

• Constipation and straining during bowel movements

• A low-fibre diet that leads to hard, dry stools

• Frequent episodes of diarrhoea

• Recent weight loss surgery causing loose stools

• Vaginal childbirth

• Minor trauma, especially trauma caused by high-level mountain biking

• Inflammatory conditions of the anal area

If left untreated or failing to heal properly, anal fissures can lead to various complications:

• Chronic Anal Fissure: Fissures that do not heal within 8-12 weeks are considered chronic. These can result in extensive scar tissue formation, including a sentinel pile or skin tag and hypertrophied papilla.

• Anal Stenosis: The anal canal may become narrowed due to spasms of the anal sphincter or contraction of scar tissue, making bowel movements more difficult and painful.

• Anal Fistulas: Chronic inflammation can cause abnormal tunnels to form between the anal canal and surrounding organs.

• Faecal Impaction: Hard stool can become lodged in the rectum, exacerbating pain and leading to further complications.

• Recurrence: Having experienced an anal fissure increases the risk of developing another one in the future.

• Extension into Surrounding Muscles: The fissure may extend into the internal anal sphincter, making the healing process more challenging.

• Infection and Other Conditions: Persistent failure to heal can indicate underlying health issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, infections, or even cancer, which require proper diagnosis to rule out.

Adopting certain lifestyle and dietary habits can help prevent the occurrence of anal fissures:

• Consume a High-fibre Diet: Eating foods rich in fibre, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, helps soften stool and reduces the need for straining during bowel movements.

• Stay Well-hydrated: Drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day keeps stool soft and prevents constipation.

• Exercise Regularly: Engaging in physical activity helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.

• Avoid Hard or Dry Stools: Taking stool softeners or fibre supplements can help prevent the formation of hard stools that can traumatise the anal lining.

• Practice Proper Wiping Techniques: Avoid rough or excessive wiping of the anus after bowel movements to reduce the risk of trauma to the delicate anal tissue.

To diagnose an anal fissure, doctors typically follow these steps:

• Review Personal Health History: Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms, medical history, and any previous conditions that might affect the anus.

• Discuss Symptoms: You will be asked to describe the pain, bleeding, and any other symptoms you are experiencing in detail.

• Perform a Physical Examination: Your doctor will conduct a gentle visual examination of the anus and surrounding area to identify the presence of a fissure, skin tags, or other abnormalities. In some cases, they may perform a digital rectal exam by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to assess sphincter muscle tone and check for any lumps or masses.

• Additional Tests: If the fissure appears atypical or if there are signs of an underlying condition, your doctor may recommend further tests such as anoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy to examine the anal canal and rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.

In many cases, anal fissures can be managed effectively with self-care measures and home remedies:

• Sitz Baths: Soaking the anal area in warm water for 10-20 minutes several times a day can help relax the sphincter muscle, increase blood flow to the area, and promote healing.

• Topical Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter creams or ointments containing lidocaine or benzocaine can help numb the area and provide temporary pain relief.

• Stool Softeners: Taking stool softeners or increasing your intake of fibre and fluids can help prevent constipation and reduce the need for straining during bowel movements.

• Gentle Cleansing: Keeping the anal area clean by gently washing it with warm water after each bowel movement and patting it dry can help prevent irritation and promote healing. Avoid using harsh soaps or wipes that may further irritate the skin.

Medication of Anal Fissure

If the initial treatment proves ineffective, more advanced options, such as anal fissure medications, may be considered.

• Nitroglycerin ointment, applied to the anal canal, increases blood flow to the fissure and relaxes the anal sphincter, promoting healing. However, it can cause side effects such as headaches and hypotension.

• Calcium channel blockers, such as topical diltiazem or nifedipine, can also be used to relax the anal sphincter muscle and increase blood flow to the fissure, particularly if nitroglycerin is not effective or causes significant side effects.

• In cases where other treatments fail, botulinum toxin injections (Botox) may be used to paralyse the anal sphincter muscle, reducing spasms and promoting healing.

• If an anal fissure becomes chronic and does not respond to medical treatment, surgical intervention may be necessary. Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) is a surgical procedure that involves cutting a small portion of the anal sphincter muscle to reduce spasm and promote healing.

It is important to seek medical attention if you experience severe or persistent symptoms related to an anal fissure.

• If you have severe pain during or after bowel movements or if you notice bright red blood from the anus, it is crucial to consult a doctor.

• Additionally, if symptoms do not improve with self-care measures within a few weeks, it is advisable to seek professional help.

• In some cases, complications may arise from an anal fissure, such as chronic anal fissure, anal fistulas, or anal stenosis. If you suspect any of these complications, it is essential to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

• If you have other symptoms like stomach pain or diarrhoea, or if you are over 45 years old and have risk factors for colon cancer, a colonoscopy may be recommended to rule out any underlying conditions.

• An anal fissure is a tear or split in the lining of the anus (anal mucosa).

• Common symptoms include pain when passing a bowel motion and bright red blood from the anus.

• Risk factors for developing anal fissures include constipation, straining during bowel movements, chronic diarrhoea, and childbirth.

• Diagnosis is usually made through physical examination and a review of symptoms, but additional tests may be required in some cases.

• Initial treatment often involves laxatives and topical anaesthetics, while more advanced options include nitroglycerin ointment, calcium channel blockers, botulinum toxin injections, and surgical interventions such as LIS.

• Preventive measures include maintaining a high-fibre diet, staying hydrated, avoiding straining during bowel movements, and practising good anal hygiene.