What Causes Anal Fissure and How to Treat It

What Causes Anal Fissure and How to Treat It

Anal fissure is a painful condition that affects many people. Understanding the causes and treatment options for anal fissure can help you get effective relief. This comprehensive guide covers everything about anal fissures — symptoms, causes, and the best treatment options available in Pune.

What is an Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure is a small crack or tear in the thin, moist lining of the anus (anal mucosa). This tear causes intense pain and bleeding during and after bowel movements. Fissures can be acute (healing within a few weeks) or chronic (persisting for months).

Causes of Anal Fissure

1. Hard or Large Stools

The most common cause. Hard stools stretch the anal canal beyond its capacity, causing a tear in the delicate tissue.

2. Constipation

Chronic constipation and straining during bowel movements puts excessive pressure on the anal tissues, leading to fissures.

3. Diarrhea

Frequent, watery stools can irritate and weaken the anal lining, making it prone to tears.

4. Childbirth

Women may develop anal fissures during childbirth due to the pressure and stretching involved.

5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Conditions like Crohn’s disease cause inflammation that can lead to fissures.

6. Tight Anal Sphincter

High resting pressure in the internal anal sphincter can reduce blood flow to the area, making healing difficult and causing chronic fissures.

Symptoms of Anal Fissure

  • Sharp, cutting pain during and after bowel movements
  • Bright red blood on stool or toilet paper
  • Burning sensation lasting hours after stool
  • Visible crack or tear near the anus
  • Skin tag near the fissure (chronic fissures)

Treatment for Anal Fissure

For Acute Fissures

  • High-fiber diet and adequate fluid intake
  • Stool softeners to prevent hard stools
  • Topical anesthetic creams for pain relief
  • Sitz baths (warm water soaks) 3-4 times daily
  • Topical nitroglycerin or calcium channel blockers to relax the sphincter

For Chronic Fissures

  • Botulinum toxin injection to relax the anal sphincter
  • Laser Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS) — the gold standard surgical treatment

Fissure Treatment in Pune

For expert fissure diagnosis and treatment in Pune, visit Dr Jadhav Piles Fissure Injection & Laser Centre at Wakad, Pune. Dr Satish Jadhav (MD, FPC, CCKS) provides comprehensive treatment for both acute and chronic anal fissures.

Phone: 9665612777