Bleeding from an anal fissure
Pain when defecating or red blood on the stool or when wiping? Cracks in the mucous membrane of the anus can be the cause. We also call them fissures. Anus tears are annoying, but fortunately often harmless.
A fissure or tear in the anus can have various causes. Due to blockage or constipation and pressing hard can cause a fissure. An increased tension of the sphincter muscle during anal sex, for example, can also lead to wounds. People with chronic inflammatory bowel disease – such as patients with the Crohn’s disease – also more often suffer from splits and tears. Anal fissures are most common in young and middle-aged people.
Bleed
When defecating, anal fissures can cause a sharp sharp pain, especially if the stool thick and hard. You may also have significant blood loss, resulting in a pool of bright red blood in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper.
Itch, pain and a burning sensation are also common complaints. Sometimes the sphincter cramps because of the pain, making the complaints chronic. Usually, however, an anus tear heals on its own.
Diagnosis
You can often make the diagnosis yourself based on the symptoms. A doctor also does this with the complaints and a possible physical examination. The general practitioner examines the area around the anus and, if necessary, examines the inside of the anus and rectum with a finger (rectal examination). Sometimes more research is needed: a visual examination of the anus and rectum (proctoscopy or sigmoidoscopy).
Do it yourself
If you suffer from anal fissures it is very important to have regular bowel movements and soft stool to have. You then have to press less and suffer less from complaints.
Try to stick to the following advice:
- Drink enough (1.5-2 liters per day).
- Get exercise (half an hour a day or more).
- Eat high fiber (wholemeal products, vegetables, fruit).
- Don’t skip breakfast.
- Go to the toilet immediately if you feel the urge.
- Take your time and relax on the toilet.
- Avoid perfumed or damp toilet paper.
- Wash the anus with lukewarm water after using the toilet and then pat it dry.
- Only use over-the-counter products such as ointment, cream and suppositories on the advice of the doctor.
- Wear cotton underwear and clothes that are not too tight.
lubricate
An anal fissure usually heals on its own within a few weeks, but can also be treated with an ointment. The ointment can have an anesthetic and analgesic effect, but also ensure that the skin remains dry. There are also ointments that inhibit inflammation or promote blood flow to the anus, so that the wound heals faster. A prescription is required for a large part of the creams.
Sometimes a botulinum (botox) injection also offer a solution. Botulin decreases the tension in the sphincter muscle, so that the cramp disappears, the blood circulation improves and the fissure can heal. There is also an operation method to reduce the tension on the sphincter muscle. However, this so-called LIS method is almost no longer used.