Anal Fissures

An important part of anal fissures treatment at home is to ease the pain and to keep bowel movements soft whilst the healing process continues. Because of the pain, it is only natural that anyone suffering from anal fissures is not going to want to pass a stool when they know it will be painful and especially so in the case of children.

Anal fissures are very common in pregnant women as well as in women after childbirth. When you are pregnant, a hard bowel movement or any stress to the inner wall of the anis can cause a tear in the inner tissue and when you are giving birth, the incredible pushing involved can cause anal fissures.

So make sure that such stools are as soft as possible to ensure a “smooth passage” and this can be done by:

• Taking a mild laxative (which should be either a bulk forming laxative or one that softens the stool).
• Adding dried fruit such as sultanas or prunes to your diet.
• Changing to a high bulk diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grain cereals such as brown rice, bread and pasta as this provides fiber in your diet. You can even add bran or other fiber supplements to your diet.
• Drinking at least 2 liters of fluid per day (preferably water) as some of this liquid will be passed out in the gut and help to soften the stools.
• Avoiding alcoholic drinks as they can be dehydrating.
• Going to the toilet as soon as you feel the need, as putting off this action may cause bigger and harder stools to form which would be more difficult to pass.

Once you have any constipation under control, any small anal fissures should heal on their own while more stubborn anal fissures may need extra care and attention including anal fissure medicine. Be aware that anal fissures are also related to hemorrhoids insomuch as the strain and pressure exerted when deficating cause and does cause both conditions.

• Keep the anus area very clean as any exposure to feces can slow down the healing process.
• Try sitting in a bowl or bath of warm water several times per day for hygienic as well as soothing and relaxing purposes.
• Wipe the anal area, after using the toilet, with soft unscented toilet paper, baby wipes or medicated wipes with witch hazel.
• Gently pat the area dry.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the anus to soothe and to help with bowel movements.
• Various over-the-counter medications can help such as hydrocortisone cream to relieve irritation, a numbing ointment to help relieve pain or an oral pain reliever such as Acetaminophen.
• For a natural anal fissure medication, you can order Fissures DX on line. This is a safe and successful anal fissures medicine which is very gentle.

Initial treatment of an anal fissure involves the self care measures described above including changes in diet, the managing of any constipation and looking after the fissures. Medications can be added to help in the healing process and to reduce the pain. Changes to diet and lifestyle will also help to prevent their recurrence in the future. These changes are therefore very important.

Should anal fissures persist, worsen or keep on recurring, a visit to your medical practitioner would be advised. He or she would probably suggest more extreme anal fissure treatment such as botulinum toxin injections or surgery. The most commonly used operation is called an internal sphincterotomy which involves part of the internal sphincter muscle being cut, which relieves the spasm of the muscle, stops the pain and allows the fissure to heal.

However with home care treatment for anal fissures and a change to diet and lifestyle, more extreme measures can be avoided.