This can lead people to put off treatment and simply live with adverse side effects. At Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology , we aim to break stigmas and provide exceptional treatment for a wide range of conditions. Among the conditions we treat are anal fissures.
These small tears can cause huge amounts of pain and discomfort, and they sometimes require professional treatment. Anal fissures are small tears or cuts in the lining of the anal canal. Typically caused by passing hard or large stools, they often result in severe pain and bleeding during bowel movements. Although anal fissures can affect anyone, they are more common in infants and young children. Most fissures heal naturally within a few weeks, but chronic fissures may require medical treatment.
Anal fissures are predominantly caused by physical trauma to the inner lining of the anus. This can occur due to the passage of hard or large stools, which may be associated with constipation or chronic diarrhea. Other factors also contribute to the development of anal fissures. For instance, childbirth may strain the anal sphincter muscle, leading to fissures. Yet other anal fissure causes include:. Anal fissure symptoms vary depending on the severity and duration of the condition.
While the anal fissures can heal on their own, symptoms may be persistent and not improve with time. We may conduct a visual inspection of the anal region to identify the presence of a fissure. In certain cases, a digital rectal examination might be performed. Should we find evidence of an anal fissure, we may need to order further diagnostic testing.
Additional tests might include an anoscopy, colonoscopy , or blood test. There are several options for anal fissure treatment, and our approach will depend on your specific circumstances.
