Anal Fissure is not a life-threatening condition but it is a painful problem that takes a huge toll on the quality of life of a person. It is a condition caused due to chronic diarrhoea or constipation. Anus comes with a delicate lining. A cut or tear caused on that lining is called anal fissures. The sedentary lifestyle that we are embracing during the time of this pandemic and lockdown are triggering factors of anal fissures.

An anal fissure is usually the result of an injury that stretches your anal canal. The primary causes include:

● Constipation
● Pregnancy and Childbirth
● Diarrhoea
● Muscle Spasms
● Anal sex

Anal fissures are common and can happen to men, women, and even children. However, adults between the ages of 20 and 40 are on the riskier side of anal fissures. The risk of being affected by anal fissures decrease with age. People with certain medical conditions like anal cancer, leukaemia, STDs, HIV,  Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc., are also prone to anal fissures.

One of the most common symptoms of anal fissure is the presence of blood on the stool passed. However, this symptom is common for many gastroenterological problems. That’s why it is essential to look out for other symptoms of anal fissures too! Below are the signs and symptoms of anal fissures.

● Constipation
● Pain after bowel movements
● Itching and burning sensation around the anal area
● Discomfort while urinating and passing stool
● Visible crack or tear in the anal region

As mentioned before, anal fissures are and won’t lead to any life-threatening diseases. However, they can be extremely uncomfortable. So, the treatment for anal fissures aims to ease the pain and discomfort. Anal fissures usually get cured on their own in a few weeks. During this period, we can do specific home remedies to promote healing. If the symptoms worsen or don’t go away even after six weeks, the doctor might advise you of alternative treatment methods that can be surgical or non-surgical.

Below are the most common treatment methods used for anal fissures:

Non-surgical treatment

Non-surgical treatment methods are usually used to treat the symptoms. Doctors advise anaesthetic creams and lotions to help the patient relieve pain and discomfort. Injections are also provided to help the spasms relax. Besides these, expert doctors also advise medications that will cure the condition without much pain.

Surgical treatment

Surgeries are only advised if the condition is chronic or if the symptoms worsen over some time. Lateral internal sphincterotomy is the most common surgery followed for treating anal fissures. Surgeries are highly effective and make the healing faster.