An anal fissure is a common condition where there is a painful tear in the lining of the anus, the backside opening where feces is excreted. It is often described as feeling like passing broken glass.
Anal fissure symptoms
The most common symptoms of anal fissures are: a sharp pain when you poo, often followed by a deep burning pain that may last several hours. bleeding when you poo – most people notice a small amount of bright red blood either in their poo or on the toilet paper.
Extreme pain that feels like you are passing glass or razor blades when you are pooping can be caused by several different conditions, including an anal fissure, anal fistula or piles (also known as haemorrhoids).
Like other small cuts or tears to the skin, an anal fissure will often heal by itself within a few weeks. However, you should see a GP if you have an anal fissure as they can give you advice and medicines to help ease your symptoms and allow the fissure to heal more quickly.
An acute anal fissure typically heals within 6 weeks with conservative treatment. Some disappear when constipation is treated. Anal fissures that last for 6 weeks or more are called chronic anal fissures. These fail conservative treatment and need a more aggressive, surgical approach.
Dairy products: Milk, cheese and other heavy cream products should be avoided while you are suffering from symptoms of anal fissure. Red meat: Red meat is the hardest to digest and can delay stool passing, thus is not advisable to consume for people with symptoms or tendencies of anal fissure.
An anal fissure is a tear or split in the lining of the anus (anal mucosa). The symptoms include pain and bright red blood from the anus. Treatment options include laxatives and surgery. Self-help suggestions include switching to a high-fibre diet and drinking plenty of water.
Do not use over-the-counter ointments or creams without talking to your doctor. Some of these preparations may not help. Use baby wipes or medicated pads, such as Preparation H or Tucks, instead of toilet paper to clean after a bowel movement. These products do not irritate the anus.
Causes of anal discharge
Mucus-based discharge may be caused by: Infection due to food-poisoning, bacteria or parasites. An abscess due to infection or an anal fistula – a channel that can develop between the end of your bowel and anus after an abscess.
Is this a concern? Answer From Elizabeth Rajan, M.D. A small amount of mucus in stool is usually nothing to worry about. Stool normally contains a small amount of mucus — a jellylike substance that your intestines make to keep the lining of your colon moist and lubricated.
If a fissure lasts more than 8 to 12 weeks, you may need prescription medicines. These may include nitroglycerin cream, high blood pressure medicines in pill or gel form, or injections of botulinum toxin (Botox). If medicines don't stop your symptoms, you may need to consider surgery.
Blood from higher up in the bowel doesn't look bright red. It goes dark red or black and can make your poo look like tar. This type of bleeding can be a sign of cancer higher up the bowel.
The symptoms of a fissure and a hemorrhoid can be similar. Either can cause pain, itching and bleeding. However, if you are in pain and don't feel an external lump, the condition is more likely to be a fissure. If you notice that you are leaking mucus from your anus, the problem is probably a hemorrhoid.
About anal fissures
The pain from the tear triggers the anal sphincter muscles to spasm and tighten, cutting off blood supply that may delay healing of the tear. This cycle of pain, muscle spasms, and lack of blood flow then occurs with every bowel movement.
Use baby wipes or medicated pads, such as Preparation H or Tucks, instead of toilet paper to clean after a bowel movement. These products do not irritate the anus. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Some fissures can be minimally symptomatic, but most patients present with severe pain, bleeding, or itching. The pain can be localized to the anus but can radiate to the buttocks, upper posterior thighs, or lower back. Often the pain is triggered by a bowel movement, can last for hours, and can be severe.
In adults, fissures may be caused by passing large, hard stools, or having diarrhea for a long time. Other factors may include: Decreased blood flow to the area. Too much tension in the sphincter muscles that control the anus.
See your health care provider if you have pain during bowel movements or notice blood on stools or toilet paper after a bowel movement.
Besides that, a person dealing with stress will be less inclined to follow a healthy diet, drink enough water, or engage in physical activities. Due to this, the individual often suffer from constipation and fissure may develop. Hence, it can be said that stress causes anal fissure.
Anovate cream is used for relieving both anal fissures and hemorrhoids. It reduces the inflammation of the rectal veins so that there is little or no pain during the bowel movement. It also heals anal fissures faster and reduces redness and itching.
Anal fissures can make having a bowel movement (pooping) very painful. The pain may make it hard for you to have a bowel movement, causing constipation (having fewer bowel movements than usual). They can also cause bleeding from your anus.
Do you ever begin sweating and feeling like you are going to pass out while pooping, or do you feel like you will pass out at the sight of blood? It's possible that your vagus nerve is causing this sensation and triggering your body's vasovagal reflex, or vasovagal response.