Are you in search of diet recommendations for Anal fissures? If yes, SMILES is here to help you provide a diet chart that relieves discomfort and promote healing of fissures, as well as prevent recurrences.

An anal fissure is a tear or small crack in the lining of the anus. Medical conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, the passing of hard stools, and inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) are some of the causes of anal fissure, which leads to severe pain and bleeding during and after bowel movements. Usually, anal fissures heal itself within 4-6 weeks but if it extends, it can be considered chronic and must be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon.

However, the foods you eat have a great impact on how quickly your anal fissures heal. Eating a proper anal fissure diet can relieve the pain and help heal the tear quickly and avoid fissures surgery.

The chief elements of the anal fissures diet are consuming a high fibrous diet and drinking lots of fluids. Eating a fibrous diet helps improve constipation and smoothen your bowel movements. Fluids help in keeping the stools soft and smooth passage that leads to protecting anal canal.

Here is a list of foods to recover from anal fissures.

• ● Foods that are rich in fiber such as oat bran, wheat bran, cereals, brown rice, citrus fruits, and many more.
• ● Consume more of raw or boiled vegetables and fresh fruits which acts as natural laxatives and helps in passing soft and smooth stools
• ● Experts suggest drinking 3 to 4 liters of water per day, to improve digestion. And, drinking fluids such as fruit juices, buttermilk, and soups, etc helps in smoothen your bowel movements.
• ● Probiotic food items such as yogurt and fermented soybean products etc will also help in passing the stools smoothly.
• ● Also, consuming high fibrous foods such as chia seeds, flax seeds, and green leafy vegetables help in preventing constipation. Eating fruits such as Apple, Watermelon, and papaya helps in digestion and prevents digestive disorders.

You might be thinking about how to cure fissures permanently? Here is a list of some foods that you must avoid during chronic anal fissures.

• ● Avoid red chilies and spicy foods because they aggravate the pain and burning sensation while passing stools and worsens anal fissure symptoms.
• ● Mixed pulses, which contain grain such as urad dal, rajma dal, and even Sabu dal are bad for fissures because they cause infections and increase the pain.
• ● Avoid dairy products such as cheese and ice cream as they hard to digest and cause digestive disorders.
• ● Avoid raw mangoes, garlic, and meat because they can increase body temperature and put you at risk of inflammation.
• ● Limit caffeine, aerated drinks, and alcohol which can cause constipation.
• ● Avoid junk foods that contain a large number of calories from sugar or with little fiber, protein, and minerals. Junk foods can break down your digestive system and cause digestive disorders.

Do’s

• Make a habit of adding more fiber to your diet. You can try fiber supplements if you are unable to get from food.
• Stay hydrated by drinking adequate fluids.
• Exercise regularly to have regular bowel movements and increased blood flow to the organs that help in healing fissures.

Don’ts

• ● Do not strain during bowel movements. It creates pressure on the anal canal that leads to a tear.
• ● Never ignore your urge to pass stools. It can increase your chances of constipation.
• ● Do not end up with heavy meals.
• ● Do not use stool softeners regularly.

Still suffering fromchronic anal fissures? Don’t worry. Consult Dr. Parameshwara C M, who is one of the best coloproctologists and highly experienced in treating such cases with minimal discomfort.