Anal Fissure & Its Types
Anal Fissure refers to a medical condition in which there is a minute tear in the mucosa that lines the anal region. The primary reason for development of Anal Fissures is believed to be chronic constipation.(2) If an individual is chronically constipated and finally passes stool they tend to be hard. This results in tearing of the sensitive mucosa lining the anus. An Anal Fissure causes enormous pain when passing bowel movements. There may also be bleeding from the rectum.[1]
Spasms of the anal sphincter are also experienced in some individuals with Anal Fissure.(2) This condition can be both acute as well as chronic.(3) Anal Fissures can be subdivided into two categories namely primary and secondary.(3) The primary form of Anal Fissures is a benign condition and the tear is located posterior to the anal region.[1]
Secondary Anal Fissures on the other hand is far more serious and requires aggressive treatments. However, majority of the cases of Anal Fissures are primary and get better with simple home remedies, which prevent constipation and make the stool soft to avoid putting any pressure on the anal region.[1]
In the cases of secondary Anal Fissure; surgery is the preferred way of treatment along with medications. In some cases, Anal Fissures are treated with Botox injections.(4, 5) In some cases, multidisciplinary approach is required for treatment of Anal Fissures. This article gives a brief overview as to how long does it take for Anal Fissure to heal and some of the home remedies to calm down the symptoms of Anal Fissure.[1]
How Long Does It Take for Anal Fissure to Heal & What are the Home Remedies to Relieve the Symptoms?
Majority of mild to moderate acute Anal Fissures tend to heal within a time span of six weeks with simple home remedies described below. Once home treatment begins, the individual also has substantial relief in the pain that is experienced due to anal fissures during bowel movements.[1]
As of now, there is no specific guideline as to how to treat anal fissures. The main aim of treatment is to treat the spasms of the anal sphincter so that the blood flow to the affected area is improved. This facilitates expedited healing. Home Remedies are good enough to treat Anal Fissures in approximately half of the cases.[1]
Below mentioned home remedies also ensure that there is no recurrence of anal fissures in the affected individual in the future. These home remedies are:
Increased Fiber Intake: Fiber intake improves digestion and makes the stool soft. Fiber is also the best medicine for constipation which is the primary cause of anal fissure. It is recommended that patients should take at least 30 g of fiber in their daily diet to hasten anal fissure healing and prevent a recurrence.[1] Some of the foods that are abundant in fiber are fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Some people also take in fiber supplements to increase fiber in their body and help relieve the symptoms of anal fissure. However, it should be noted that an increase in fiber intake results in bloating and gas, so care should be taken to increase intake slowly and gradually to treat the symptoms of anal fissure.[1]
Increased Fluid Intake: It is also mandatory for people with anal fissure to have adequate intake of fluids. This is because fluids in the body prevent constipation and aid in digestion. Fluids also make the stools soft, which in turn soothes the symptoms of anal fissure. Once the stools are soft, then it is easier for the body to eliminate them without the fear of pain or tear.[1]
Avoid Straining with Bowel Movements: Physicians also recommend not to strain excessively during bowel movements in patients with anal fissure. When the patient strains, then excessive pressure is put on the anal region, which can result in either a new tear or hamper the healing process of an already existing tear.[1]
Keep the Anal Area Clean: This remedy is especially for infants who are not yet toilet trained. For them, it is necessary to change their diapers on a regular basis. It is also vital to not only wipe the butt area clean, but also wash it with lukewarm water to expedite healing of the anal fissure.[1]
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anal Fissure is a common problem suffered by many people. However, anal fissure is mostly seen in infants. There are two types of anal fissures; namely primary and secondary. The primary form is the most common and does not require any aggressive treatments; while the secondary form is quite serious and needs aggressive treatments. It normally takes about a month to six weeks for a primary anal fissure to heal with home treatments.
However, the secondary form needs medication intervention and at times surgery and the recovery period for such individuals is quite prolonged. The best way to treat anal fissure is by increasing fiber intake and taking in plenty of fluids so that the digestion is proper and the stools are soft. The softer the stools the better are the chances of the anal fissure healing in quick time.[1]
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