What causes anal fissures?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on October 29, 2024
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Anal fissure is a series of clinical symptoms such as pain or rectal bleeding that occur due to the formation of a crack in the local sphincter muscle of the anus. The main reason for the occurrence of anal fissures is due to poor defecation habits in the early stages of the patient, or excessively dry stools, and excessive force during defecation, causing the local sphincter to burst, resulting in the fissure opening pain or bleeding. To treat anal fissures, it is first necessary to soften the patient's stools and adjust defecation habits. If the patient's diet is poor, it is recommended to maintain a light, easily digestible diet long-term. For those with dry stools, appropriate oral medications to lubricate the intestines and facilitate bowel movements can be used, or sesame oil can be applied around the anus before each defecation to lubricate the stool. If recurrent episodes of anal fissures occur, surgical treatment can also be directly performed. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Xiao Jie
Internal Medicine
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What should be paid attention to for anal fissures?

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.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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How many days can an anal fissure heal?

Mild anal fissures or those with shallow cracks can generally heal within about a week through local heat application or by applying hemorrhoid cream. However, there is another type of anal fissure known as chronic anal fissure. Chronic anal fissures primarily involve ulcer-like infectious changes at the local site, hence, they cannot heal on their own and can only be alleviated by lubricating the stools and applying hemorrhoid cream locally. In some cases, conservative treatment might not be significantly effective for chronic anal fissures. If surgery is performed, the recovery time is approximately 20 days. It is recommended that patients with chronic anal fissures undergo surgical treatment with endoscopic loosening.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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How long does it take to recover from an anal fissurectomy?

Anal fissure refers to a small ulcer formed by the skin cracking below the dentate line of the anal canal, with the main symptoms being pain and bleeding. Anal fissure excision surgery is one of the surgical treatments for anal fissures. It mainly involves removing the anal fissure, the sentinel piles, and the hypertrophied anal papillae. It also involves cutting a part of the internal and external sphincter's subcutaneous section. The wound is left open for drainage. A disadvantage is that healing is relatively slow, so it generally takes over a month to fully recover after the surgery.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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How to cure anal fissure bleeding

Anal fissures are a common anorectal disorder, primarily characterized by the formation of small ulcers due to skin lacerations below the dentate line. The main symptoms are bleeding and pain during defecation. Generally, the amount of bleeding is small, noticeable on toilet paper or with a trace of blood on stools. The primary principle of treatment is to address the spasms of the internal sphincter to facilitate the healing of the wound. Common treatment methods include anal dilation and surgical excision, with the overall objective being to alleviate sphincter spasms and promote wound healing. Only when the issue of the anal fissure is resolved will the bleeding gradually alleviate.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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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.