You Ask, They Answer
Q
: What is an anal fissure and how does it begin?
A
: An anal fissure is a small tear or break in the thin moist tissue layer that lines the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool is expelled out of the body. It may begin after bouts of constipation and straining, passing hard, or with large stools during a bowel movement.
Q
: Is it a common diagnosis and how do you treat it?
A
: Anal fissures are very common and can affect people of any age. Most people with anal fissures get better with simple treatments, such as eating more fibre or soaking in a warm-water bath. Some people with anal fissures may need medicine, but surgery is rarely required.
Q
: What are the symptoms and causes of anal fissures?
A
: Symptoms of an anal fissure include pain at the anus during bowel movements that can last up to several hours. Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper during or after a bowel movement is another sign, as is a visible crack in the skin around the anus. Another symptom might be a small lump, called a skin tag, near the anal fissure.
The most common causes include passing large or hard stools, constipation and straining during bowel movements, and long-lasting diarrhoea. Anal sexual intercourse and childbirth can also contribute to anal fissures. The less common causes are inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’ s disease, anal cancer, HIV infection, tuberculosis, and syphilis.
Q
: Have there been many cases of chronic anal fissure and who is likely to have them?
A
: Chronic anal fissure occurs when a fissure does not heal completely after 4-6 weeks of treatment. It typically has cyclical symptoms suggestive of intermittent healing and recurrence, but about 35 percent will eventually heal, at least temporarily, without intervention.
Q
: When should one see a doctor?
A
: You should consult a healthcare professional if you have pain at the anus during bowel movements or notice blood on stools or toilet paper after a bowel movement.
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