A fissure (pronounced the same way as fisher) refers to a cleft, a crack or a long opening on any surface. In medical terms, a fissure can be described as a crack, or a break in the skin. Fissures usually occur at the spot where the skin joins the mucus membrane, which is probably why it can lead to a canker like sore or an ulcer. These fissures can be found on a few parts of the body, such as the tongue, anus, eyelids and vagina. It is also not uncommon to find different types of fissures on the fingers, toes, heels and mouth. The most common type of fissure to affect both men and women are anal fissures. In fact, anal fissures are also one of the most common causes of pain in the rectal area. Although they are more common in elderly people, they can affect younger people too, including babies. In fact, several parents consult doctors, for treatment or home remedies for fissure after seeing rectal bleeding in infants, which is caused by anal fissures.
Causes
In order to treat the problem of anal fissures, it is important to identify what the possible causes could be. Given below are some of the most common causes of fissures in adults and children:
- Passing tools that are very hard and difficult to pass through the anal canal
- Suffering from chronic constipation, which leads to excessive straining during a bowel movement
- Digestive problems, which lead to chronic diarrhea
- Inflammation in the rectal area, which could be a result of Crohn's disease, or other similar inflammatory bowel diseases
Although rare, at times, anal fissures could be an indication of an underlying health problem. Health conditions like HIV/AIDS, syphilis, cancer and tuberculosis are known to be the causes of fissures. Anal sex could also lead to fissures and should therefore be avoided.
Symptoms
Several people suffer from pain in the rectum, without realizing what the possible cause could be. Fortunately, there are certain symptoms of fissures that can help people identify what the cause of the pain could be. One of the major symptoms of fissures would be experiencing severe pain while having a bowel movement. This pain could last for several hours in the individual. Along with the pain the person would also notice spots of bright red blood either on the toilet paper used or on the bowl. Those suffering from the condition may also have skin tags near the fissure and also visible cracks on the surface of the skin, which cause pain when touched.
Treatment
Most instances of anal fissures can clear up on their own, if the right care is taken while treating anal fissures. However, in case the tear does not heal within a period of 8 weeks or so, it will probably require medical treatment and maybe even surgery. However, at first, most doctors advise patients to try home remedies for fissures, to resolve the problem naturally. Given below are some of the most widely recommended home remedies for fissure:
- Drinking an additional amount of water each day, so that at least 10 to 12 glasses of water are consumed daily
- Increasing the intake of fiber, by eating higher quantities of fiber rich foods, such as cereals, whole grains and certain fruits and vegetables.
- Engaging in some form of exercise for at least half an hour or so, about five times a week
- Avoiding strain and pressure while passing stools
The home remedies for fissure mentioned above are quite safe, if used in the right way. However, it is best to check with a doctor, before trying any of them.
answered by G M