ANAL FISSURE

Anal Fissures: An Overview

Anal fissures are tears in the anal canal that can occur following the passage of hard stool. This is probably the most common cause of an anal tear.

Most anal fissures will heal with ointments of drugs called calcium channel blockers like nifedipine or diltiazem used eight to ten weeks.

Anal fissures are painful, because the tear involves the sensitive skin on the outside of the anal opening and extends inwards towards the rectum. In addition to being painful, they can also bleed, particularly during a bowel movement. An anal tear can be seen sometimes, (see photo below) but otherwise needs a finger exam to diagnose.

Most anal fissures will heal with ointments of drugs called calcium channel blockers like nifedipine or diltiazem used for eight to ten weeks. If these ointments failed to heal the tear than injection of Botox into the anal sphincter usually works. As a last resort, surgery works well to heal anal tears.

COMMON CAUSES OF ANORECTAL PAIN AND BLEEDING INCLUDE:

HEMORRHOIDS

ANAL ABSCESSES AND FISTULAS

ANAL PRURITUS (ITCHING)

ANAL WARTS

ANAL CANCER

RECTAL PROLAPSE

RECTAL DYSSYNERGIA

FECAL INCONTINENCE

PROCTALGIA FUGAX

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this website belong to Dr Waqar Qureshi and do not represent the views of Baylor College of Medicine. In the information here is for your benefit only, and not to suggest any particular treatment, which only your doctor can determine after examining you.