About Anal Fissures

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus.  During bowel movements, people with this condition may experience a sharp, stinging or burning pain described as being akin to “passing a shard of glass.”  The often lingering pain can be so excruciating that some people try to avoid using the bathroom.  That only worsens things, unfortunately.

Other symptoms include small amounts of bright red blood (on toilet tissue or inside the toilet bowl), itching, irritation, discomfort while walking or exercising, and increased flatulence.  The fissure usually progresses through various phases of severity as it attempts to heal, and rough wiping or rubbing of the area can aggravate symptoms.

In many cases, anal fissures are caused by attempting to pass a hard, dry piece of stool while constipated.  Other causes include excessive tension in the two anal sphincters (muscular rings), stress, diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, inflammation of the anorectal canal, and childbirth.  Research shows that 11% of women develop fissures while giving birth.

Affecting men and women of all ages, anal fissures are characterized as acute (recent onset) or chronic (recurring frequently over an extended period of time).  Acute fissures may heal in a few days or weeks while chronic fissures may recur for months or years.  Medical treatment is often required to resolve a chronic fissure for good.

Don’t just live with the pain that makes having a bowel movement a dreaded event.   Find out what steps you can take to help your fissure heal properly…and permanently.

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