What is Anal Fissure?
Ananal fissure anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal. It can cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding during bowel movements.
There are two types of anal fissures: acute anal fissure and chronic anal fissure.
Acute Anal fissures are typically caused by trauma to the anal canal, such as passing a large bowel movement. It can be treated with some ointments, medications and home remedies within a few weeks.
Chronic Anal fissures are tears that persist for more than six weeks. They are often associated with underlying conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or sexually transmitted infections. Chronic fissures are better treated with surgery.
How is Anal Fissure Diagnosed?
To diagnose an anal fissure, your doctor will typically begin by asking you about your symptoms and medical history. They may also perform a physical examination to check for any visible signs of a fissure, such as a small tear or crack in the skin around the anus.
In some cases, your doctor may need to perform a more detailed examination, such as an anoscopy, to get a closer look at the affected area.
During an anoscopy, a small, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the rectum to allow the doctor to examine the anus and rectum in more detail. This is an outpatient procedure and is performed in the doctor’s clinic.
In some cases, the doctor may also recommend additional tests, such as a stool sample or blood tests, to check other possible causes of your symptoms. Once the diagnosis of the anal fissure has been confirmed, the doctor may suggest the best suitable treatment plan, which may include medications, lifestyle changes, or in severe cases, surgery.