Anal Fissures: What You Need to Know About This Painful Condition
Anal Fissures: What You Need to Know About This Painful Condition
What's This About?
Anal fissures are painful tears in the lining of the anal canal. They are a common cause of anal pain and bleeding.
Contents
- Who is Affected?
- How Do They Develop?
- Why Does Location Matter?
Who is Affected?
Anal fissures are most common in infants and middle-aged individuals. In the United States, approximately 235,000 new cases occur each year, but many go unreported due to misdiagnosis as hemorrhoids. Understanding who is affected can help in early detection and treatment.
How Do They Develop?
Anal fissures start as a tear in the anal canal's lining, often due to straining during bowel movements. This tear leads to a cycle of pain and bleeding, and in 40% of cases, the fissure becomes chronic. The lack of blood flow to the area can prevent healing, making it a persistent problem.
Why Does Location Matter?
Most fissures occur in the posterior midline of the anal canal. However, fissures in other locations, such as the anterior midline, are more common in women and can indicate different underlying issues. Lateral fissures might suggest conditions like Crohn's disease.
FAQs
What are the common symptoms?
Anal pain and bleeding during bowel movements are typical symptoms.
Can anal fissures heal on their own?
Many acute fissures can heal with proper diet and care.
Are they the same as hemorrhoids?
No, although they share symptoms, they are different conditions.
What causes anal fissures?
They are usually caused by local trauma like constipation.
Key Takeaways
Anal fissures are common but can be managed with the right care and awareness.
Additional References
- Madalinski MH. Identifying the best therapy for chronic anal fissure. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2011; 2:9.
- Nelson RL, Abcarian H, Davis FG, Persky V. Prevalence of benign anorectal disease in a randomly selected population. Dis Colon Rectum 1995; 38:341.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.