ANAL FISSURE AND FISTULAS

The anus, commonly called the rectum is the opening where bowel movements leave the body. An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus. An anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel from the anus to the skin near the anus.

Passing large hard bowel movements or having diarrhea may cause an anal fissure. Anal fissures are extremely painful. Pain is often most severe during bowel movements. There may also be pain an hour or so after a bowel movement. This pain may last 2 to 4 hours. Spots of bright red blood in the stool may be noticed. There is often a hemorrhoid-like thickening of the skin at the lower end of the fissure. The fear of this pain may cause the person to not eliminate the stool when the urge occurs. When the bowel is not relieved by having a bowel movement at the time of the urge, constipation may occur.

The treatment for a fistula is to increase fiber in the diet and drink plenty of liquids. Bran or psyllium seed preparations help to add fiber to the diet. Warm sitz baths for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day and after having a bowel movement also help. Suppositories can be used if these measures do not work. Anesthetic ointment or solutions often help relieve the discomfort, but repeated use of pain killing or numbing ointments can cause irritation or inflammation around the anus. Complete healing may take a few weeks, but the pain will disappear in a few days. In extreme cases, the fissure must be repaired surgically.

Anal fistulas almost always happen because of an abscess. About half the time an abscess will result in a fistula. An anal fistula is a tunnel that connects the anus to the skin of the buttocks. Symptoms of both an abscess and fistula are constant pain and swelling in the area. Sometimes there may be a foul-smelling drainage, fever, irritation of the skin around the anus, or generally not feeling well.

The only effective treatment for a fistula is surgery to open the tunnel. A very minor surgery must be done to drain the abscess if there is an abscess. If the fistula area properly heals after the surgery, there should not be a recurrence.

The best prevention for tears or infections near the anus is to have regular bowel movements through natural means. Eat dietary fiber, drink plenty of water, and get regular exercise.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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