Anal Fissures
Anal fissures are small tears in the moist, thin tissues lining the anus. This condition may occur if a person passes large or hard stools during bowel movement. And they can cause pain and bleed, leading to black stools. It’s also fairly common to experience spasms at the anal sphincter. The factors that could potentially increase the risk of developing this condition are constipation, childbirth, Crohn’s disease, anal intercourse, and age. Its complications can include recurrence, the failure to heal naturally, and tears extending to the surrounding muscles.
There are a few ways to prevent anal fissures from happening. For starters, diarrhea and constipation prevention through higher fiber foods, regular exercise, and hydration can minimize, if not mitigate, the strain in bowel movements. In addition, keeping a dry anorectal area is a must, and avoiding rectal irritation is vital. If the anal fissure doesn’t heal, surgery is always an option. Moreover, these operations are usually performed on a more outpatient basis, where the patient can go home on the day of the procedure.
