Anal fissure: more common than you might imagine
An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus, and it causes sharp pain and sometimes a few drops of blood, especially during or after using the toilet. Many people confuse it with haemorrhoids and feel too embarrassed to go to the doctor, so they carry on living with the pain for months without any real treatment.
Symptoms
- Sharp pain during a bowel movement or for a while afterwards, which may last for minutes or hours
- A few drops of light-coloured blood on the tissue or on the surface of the stool
- Itching or irritation in the anal area
- Sometimes spasm or tightness in the ring muscle around the anus
The difference from haemorrhoids: haemorrhoids are usually swollen veins that bleed without severe pain, whereas an anal fissure is marked by clear, sharp pain during a bowel movement.
Causes
It usually happens because of chronic constipation and excessive straining during bowel movements, or repeated diarrhoea, or not drinking enough water and not eating enough fibre. It also sometimes happens after a vaginal delivery.
When to see a doctor
If the pain carries on for more than one to three weeks, or the bleeding keeps recurring, or the condition is not improving with a simple adjustment to your diet and water intake, it is better to be examined rather than carrying on living with the pain. The examination is simple and quick and there is no need for worry or embarrassment.
Treatment options
The majority of early cases respond to simple steps such as increasing fibre and water in the diet and improving toilet habits, and under a doctor's supervision a topical treatment may be added to help healing and reduce the pain. Chronic cases that do not respond to the simple steps may need assessment for additional treatment options, which the treating doctor determines according to the case.
How Town Hospital helps you
The general surgery department at Town Hospital provides a quick, private, and fully professional examination for cases of anal fissure and haemorrhoids, without any embarrassment, with a clear treatment plan suited to each case.
Frequently asked questions
Is an anal fissure the same as haemorrhoids?
No, they are two different conditions, even though the symptoms sometimes resemble each other. An anal fissure is marked by sharp pain during a bowel movement.
Can an anal fissure be treated without surgery?
Yes, most early cases respond to a change in diet and to topical treatment under a doctor's supervision.
Is mild bleeding dangerous?
A few drops of blood are common with an anal fissure, but any recurrent bleeding deserves a medical assessment to confirm the cause.
Can it happen after childbirth?
Yes, anal fissure is relatively common after a vaginal delivery because of the straining during labour.
Is the examination embarrassing?
The examination is simple and quick and is carried out with complete privacy and professionalism, so there is no need for embarrassment or delay.