In cases of constipation, as well as when stools are too large or complex, a tear is likely to occur in the anus, which can lead to wounds or fissures. The same thing can happen when someone suffers from diarrhea very often, and the acids in the stool can burn the lining of the anus and cause injuries.
Be that as it may, wounds in the anus due to constipation or diarrhea should be treated immediately since prolonging the start of treatment can only cause these fissures to become chronic and increasingly challenging to treat, reaching the point that they need treatment surgical.
In the following FastlyHealarticle we will talk about how to heal wounds in the anus due to constipation so that you can start treating them from day one.
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Wounds in the anus from constipation: anal fissures
Wounds in the anus from constipation are known as anal fissures, ulcers that appear in the mucosa that lines the anus that causes wounds in the folds. The symptoms caused by anal fissures are often mistaken for hemorrhoids, causing no or ineffective treatment.
Fissures can appear from any trauma that causes damage to the anal mucosa, and, although the most common is constipation, it can also be caused by continuous diarrhea, hemorrhoids, blows to the anus -when cycling- or anal sex. Here we explain what the symptoms of anal fissures are so that you can detect them quickly:
- Very intense pain when defecating.
- Anus bleeding.
- Burning and itching.
- Fear of going to the bathroom.
- Bloody stools and blood on the papes after cleaning.
These symptoms appear more virulent when defecating. However, they can remain for hours or even throughout the day. Another essential aspect to consider is that because the pain caused by the fissure; becomes more extraordinary when you go to the bathroom, it is common for patients who suffer from them to contract the sphincter when defecating unconsciously. This causes that, on the one hand, evacuation becomes more difficult because the stool is compacted, and, on the other hand, there is no correct blood circulation in the anus. Therefore, the healing is much more complicated.
Types of anal fissures
As we have already mentioned, injuries to the anus are usually caused when there are episodes of constipation and excessively large, complex, or dry stools must be evacuated. However, not all cracks are the same, and depending on their nature, two different types can be distinguished. The importance of this distinction is that depending on which type it belongs, one treatment or another must be carried out. Here we explain the differences between each one:
- Acute fissures: appear occasionally or occasionally. They are superficial lesions with delicate edges, so they heal before two months.
- Chronic fissures: they appear when the trauma constantly occurs, for example, when there is chronic constipation. These wounds last more than six weeks because they are continually reopening. They end up being wounds with depth and hard edges.
Wounds in the anus and itching: diagnosis of anal fissure
As we have already mentioned, for people who, after defecating, feel pain and see blood in their stools, the first thing they usually think is that it is a case of hemorrhoids. However, after starting the usual treatment, you realize that the symptoms do not disappear or improve. Not all lesions that affect the anus are hemorrhoids, so it is essential to know them to initiate proper treatment.
In the presence of blood in the stool and intense pain, you should always visit the coloproctologist, the doctor who specializes in this part of the anatomy; he will do a series of tests to diagnose this condition:
- The first thing that will be done will be a physical inspection, that is, observing the patient’s anus to corroborate whether or not there is a fissure.
- If the pain does not prevent it, the doctor will proceed to do a rectal examination to see if the muscle tone of the anus has increased, a prevalent condition in people with injuries to the anus.
- Finally, an anoscope can be used, a device that, when inserted into the anus, facilitates the internal visualization of the canal.
Cracks in the anus: acute fissure treatment
It is essential to know that, with proper treatment and medical follow-up, the cure for anal fissures is very close to 100% of the cases. Therefore, it is essential that, as soon as you detect the wound in the anus due to constipation, you visit the proctologist to start appropriate treatment. This treatment must include the following aspects:
- Diet changes: since constipation is the cause of the fissure and increases the pain, one of the first steps to take is to start a diet rich in fiber and fluids that can soften the stool so that the wound heals. The following article explains the foods to prevent constipation that you should include in your diet.
- Painkillers: painkillers by mouth may be prescribed for the patient to pass pain episodes
- Ointments: ointments aimed exclusively at this condition help cope with pain and reduce inflammation in the area.
Wound in the anus when defecating: chronic fissure treatment
The treatment of anal fissures that have become chronic is much more complex than acute ones, hence the importance of starting treatment early to avoid reaching this point. Anyway, with medical follow-up, it is possible to heal the wounds.
Unlike acute cases, in chronic fissures, local treatment such as ointments does not work. Surgery is usually essential in these patients, a simple procedure in which the sphincter is partially cut, and the fissure edges resected.
Currently, more treatments do not require surgery but with a lower success rate than this. Some of these treatments are:
- Local treatment with isosorbide, a drug that can relax the sphincter to prevent it from straining when defecating.
- Another option is botulinum toxin injections, botox. However, it is not an ideal option because when its effect ends, surgery must be resorted to.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to heal wounds in the anus due to constipation , we recommend entering our Digestive System category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.