Anal fissures are a common condition characterized by a tear in the inner lining of the anal canal or anus. This condition affects both men and women and is often misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids, which involve swollen or tortuous veins in the anal canal.
Causes of Anal Fissure:
The most common cause of anal fissures is constipation. Patients experiencing prolonged constipation are more likely to develop anal fissures. The fissure arises when the resting pressure of the internal anal sphincter becomes too high, leading to reduced blood flow. Other factors contributing to this condition include:
- Repeated diarrhea
- Childbirth, which can cause injury to the anal canal lining
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Passage of hard stools causing cracks or fissures
- Anal intercourse and foreign body insertions
- Incorrectly performed digital examination of the anal canal
Symptoms:
Pain is the hallmark symptom of anal fissures, described as stitching, stinging, or burning, lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Itching is the second most common symptom, occurring before or after a bowel movement. Bleeding per rectum often occurs when passing hard stools, appearing as streaks of blood on the stools. Severe bleeding may happen during straining at stool, exercising, or a digital examination, with bright or dark red blood indicating potential associated conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or colonic cancer. Some patients may experience painless anal fissures with severe bleeding, potentially due to prolonged use of local analgesics or painkillers.
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis is typically made from symptoms and signs. Inspection of the anal orifice may reveal a skin tag (sentinel tag), a diagnostic sign of anal fissure, resembling a hemorrhoid (a hemorrhoidal mass will have a mucosal lining and not be covered by skin). Digital examination (done by your family physician) is rarely performed due to pain; instead, an anoscope or proctoscope may be used with local anesthesia for confirmation.
Homeopathic Treatment:
Acute fissures may heal in a few days or weeks without medications, but chronic cases require medication and dietary modifications. Warm water sitz baths, increased fiber intake, and adequate water consumption can help patients with anal fissures. Homeopathic treatment involves a detailed case analysis, identifying underlying pathology and causes, emotional or physical. A suitable remedy is chosen to heal fissures and restore regular bowel activity. Individualized treatment at Apollo Homeopathy Clinic in Brampton, led by Nishant Babusenan, offers advanced protocols, with many patients reporting improvement within two to four weeks.
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