Anal fissure is sometimes also called fissure-in-ano. It
is a tear in the inside lining of the wall
of the anus, running from the outer margin
of the exit directly upwards. In most cases
the back wall of the anus is involved, and
in almost all cases a swollen skin tag, called
a sentinel pile, forms on the outside of the
anus at the lower end of the fissure.
The fissure is at
the back in 99 per cent of cases in men,
but in women about ten per cent are at the
front. Fissures situated at the side are
usually caused by another disease and this
should be investigated. Because of the number
of germs in this area, an anal fissure will
usually get infected, so there is local
inflammation.
Symptoms
The main symptom is
burning pain on defecation. This may be
very severe and is often described as a
cutting, tearing or burning sensation felt
as the stool passes. There is often bright
red bleeding, which may streak the stool
or appear on the toilet paper. The pain
is worst on the toilet but may last for
some hours afterwards. Sometimes it is also
difficult to urinate.
Causes
No one knows for certain
what causes anal fissure, and it seems likely
that several factors contribute to the trouble.
Some people are just more liable to suffer
the problem than others are. One of the
main factors, however, is the passage of
large, hard and fairly dry stools.
Treatment
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Anal Fissure
