What should be paid attention to for anal fissures?

Written by Li Xiao Jie
Internal Medicine
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

The occurrence of anal fissures is highly related to constipation. Therefore, for patients with anal fissures, treating and preventing constipation is the most important approach. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits, consume fewer spicy and stimulating foods, and reduce the intake of greasy foods. The diet should be light, drink more water, and pay attention to local hygiene. Furthermore, patients with anal fissures should avoid sitting or squatting for long periods to prevent aggravating the condition. If symptoms such as fever, difficulty defecating, or severe pain around the anus occur, it is crucial to visit a hospital for examination to rule out other conditions. Regular participation in physical exercise is recommended to promote intestinal movement and facilitate defecation.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 41sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have hemorrhoids bleeding and anal fissures?

Hemorrhoids can lead to local bleeding, and anal fissures can similarly cause bleeding in the local anal area during bowel movements. Therefore, if it is clearly diagnosed as hemorrhoids combined with an anal fissure, and the patient is experiencing bleeding, it is necessary to carry out hemostatic treatment as soon as possible to avoid further exacerbation of bleeding, which may lead to symptoms of anemia in the patient. Both hemorrhoids and anal fissure bleeding can temporarily be managed with oral hemostatic drugs. If the hemorrhoidal bleeding is more severe, direct ligation of the hemorrhoids can be performed. Bleeding from an anal fissure mainly manifests as bleeding from a local fissure, primarily caused by dry stools, so patients with an anal fissure who experience bleeding must receive treatment that softens the stool and facilitates bowel movements. If both hemorrhoids and anal fissures are present and recur frequently, and conservative medication does not easily heal the condition, a mixed hemorrhoidectomy which includes an external peeling and internal ligation surgery combined with a lateral internal sphincterotomy can be performed. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician, and one should not medicate blindly.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Xiang Dang
Colorectal Surgery Department
1min 31sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have an anal fissure?

So, what should we do if we have an anal fissure? Generally, for patients with early-stage anal fissures where the fissure is still fresh and without complications such as sentinel piles, hypertrophied anal papillae, anal papillitis, anal stenosis, subcutaneous fistulae, or subcutaneous abscesses, conservative treatment under medical supervision can be pursued. First, altering the diet by increasing water intake and consuming more vegetables and fruits can improve the characteristics of the stool. Post bowel movement, traditional Chinese herbal remedies for pain relief, such as Shen Tang, or sitz baths using potassium permanganate solution can be used. Locally, applications like Longzhu Ointment or Jiuhua Ointment may be applied. If constipation is present, stool softeners should be used to aid bowel movements. In the chronic stage, if symptoms are only accompanied by internal sphincter spasm and no other complications such as sentinel piles or hypertrophied anal papillae, in addition to the general treatments mentioned above, anal dilation can be considered. If dilation is ineffective, then surgical treatment should be considered at this time. For patients with chronic anal fissures who also have symptoms like sentinel piles, hypertrophied anal papillae, anal stenosis, or for those who have had prolonged ineffective treatment of initial anal fissures, it is advisable to seek surgical treatment at a hospital.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 5sec home-news-image

Can you have intercourse during an anal fissure?

During an anal fissure, it is possible to have sexual intercourse without any impact on the fissure itself. For patients with an anal fissure, the main focus should be on maintaining smooth bowel movements and avoiding dry and hard stools to prevent irritating the wound, which can cause pain and bleeding. It is also important to avoid diarrhea, as frequent bowel movements can irritate the wound over time and worsen the fissure. Clinically, for early-stage anal fissures, conservative treatment with medications is often recommended, along with softening the stool. Commonly used medications include Dragon Balm ointment or nitroglycerin ointment. After defecation, patients can opt to use an anal wash or a potassium permanganate solution for sitz baths. However, for chronic anal fissures, it is generally advised to undergo fissure excision surgery as soon as possible, followed by regular dressing changes to promote healing of the wound. If an anal fissure is left untreated for a long time, it can lead to slight narrowing of the anal canal, which requires significant attention.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xiao Jie
Internal Medicine
39sec home-news-image

What should not be eaten with anal fissure?

Patients with anal fissures should be cautious with their diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods to prevent exacerbation. They should also consume foods rich in roughage, such as cornmeal, sweet potatoes, celery, leeks, and cabbage, which can facilitate bowel movements and prevent the aggravation of anal fissures due to dry stools. Additionally, alcohol should be avoided as it may dilate blood vessels and lead to increased bleeding. It is essential for patients with anal fissures to maintain smooth bowel movements and avoid sitting or squatting for extended periods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
55sec home-news-image

The main causes of anal fissures

The main causes of anal fissure formation may be related to the following factors: long-term constipation and hard stools, which cause mechanical damage during defecation as the direct cause for most anal fissures. It is also related to anatomical defects. Due to the superficial layer of the external sphincter forming a weak area at the back of the anal canal, dry stools exert the greatest pressure on the weak area at the back of the anus, making it prone to tearing injuries. Additionally, infection of the anal sinuses can lead to inflammation of the anal canal, and spasms of the sphincter losing its soft characteristics is also a reason for the formation of anal fissures. Furthermore, hard and dry fecal masses passing through the anal canal can easily cause tearing injuries, possibly due to the smaller size of the patient's anus.