Small tears in the lining of the anal canal, anal fissures are a common problem for people who suffer from constipation and periods of diarrhea, as well as women after giving birth.
While anal fissures can heal with care at home, some require expert, targeted treatment. Colorectal surgeon Dr. Lisa A. Perryman of Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists in Parker, Colorado, can help you break the cycle of pain when anal fissures become chronic.
Anal fissures can heal quickly — or they may linger, leading to a chronic condition, usually defined as a case that lasts longer than six to eight weeks without improvement. Acute fissures that tear or reopen frequently can, with time, become chronic.
Consuming low levels of dietary fiber tend to be a common risk factor with fissures. The hard stools of constipation and the watery movements of diarrhea can both lead to irritations in the mucosal lining of the upper anus, a thinner and more delicate tissue than the skin of the lower anus.
Common symptoms of chronic anal fissures, besides their duration, include:
Anal fissures and hemorrhoids often display symptoms, and it may be hard to tell them apart, particularly when fissures become chronic.
Acute fissures can heal on their own in a few days or a few weeks. Stool softeners and numbing creams can help with the discomfort. More-often-than-not they recur and become chronic.
Chronic fissures are a bigger challenge. Next-level treatments focus on relaxation of the anal sphincter muscles, which restores better blood flow to the area, a key part of natural healing.
Chronic fissures are more likely to need surgery than those that are acute. Dr. Perryman often recommends the gold standard for the treatment of anal fissures – the lateral internal sphincterotomy. It is a 30-minute outpatient procedure with success rates as high as 98%. Cutting a small section of sphincter muscle gives the fissure a better chance to heal with a low risk of recurrence in the same location. An alternative surgical treatment is the injection of botulinum toxin, or Botox, although less effective with 77% success rates. Injected into the anal sphincter, Botox calms spasming allowing increasing blood flow to promote healing.
You can also help prevent recurring fissures by making some small changes. If your fissures stem from another medical reason, getting those conditions under control is the first step.
Diet and hydration and maximizing your fiber and water intake are important, too, as are bathroom habits. Straining during bowel movements increases the risk of anal fissures, so staying regular and avoiding constipation can help.
Call or message Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists at the first sign of anal fissures for an appointment with Dr. Perryman.
