Anal Fissure Treatment

Anal Fissure Diagnostic Methods

Diagnosing an anal fissure requires a detailed medical evaluation in addition to the patient's symptoms. The doctor performs a physical examination to identify the fissure; the presence of the tear is determined through visual inspection and digital examination. During the examination, the patient may be asked to stand and lean forward onto the examination table on their forehead or elbows. If the doctor suspects other health problems, advanced tests such as colonoscopy or rectosigmoidoscopy may be requested. Manometric measurement may also be performed during the diagnosis of an anal fissure; while the anal canal pressure at normal rest is around 90 cm H2O, this pressure has been found to increase when an anal fissure is present.

Practices That Help an Anal Fissure

The anal fissure treatment process aims to relax the muscle groups and provide relief. Various methods that patients can apply on their own can support this relief. Warm sitz baths greatly help the muscles relax by reducing tension in the area. The use of local anesthetic creams is also quite effective in easing pain. Beyond this, a person's living habits are extremely important. Eating habits and toilet routine play a critical role in managing an anal fissure. Since constipation is one of the most common causes of anal fissures, a regular, healthy diet with plenty of fiber-rich foods can be effective in preventing this problem. For this reason, establishing regular toilet habits is highly recommended, along with preventing constipation.

What Causes an Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure can result from genetic makeup or from lifestyle factors such as eating habits and toilet routine. Genetically, the ring at the anal outlet may be narrower than it should be, in which case it is more affected by straining and the formation of a fissure becomes inevitable. In some people, the sphincter muscle is harder and tighter than it should be.

Apart from genetic causes, the most important cause of anal fissures is toilet routine. Anal tears are seen in people who cannot have regular bowel movements, who strain on the toilet, and who suffer from long-term constipation or diarrhea. When constipation makes going to the toilet difficult, straining and irritation cause tearing. In the case of diarrhea, tearing can occur because of frequent bowel movements and the repeated washing and drying involved. Another cause of anal tears is vaginal childbirth. The tear forms as a result of pushing and straining during delivery. Although rare, Crohn's disease, sexually transmitted diseases, and ulcerative colitis are also among the conditions that can cause anal fissures.

Anal Fissure Treatment: A Three-Stage Treatment Process

An anal fissure is a very uncomfortable condition that most people may encounter at some point. But do not worry; we have a powerful three-stage treatment process to deal with this problem! The first step is to radically review your lifestyle and try to solve the problem at its root. By changing your eating habits, you can give your body the best possible support. However, if the problem stems from a genetic factor, these changes may not be enough. That is where the second stage comes in: Botox treatment! Botox is carefully injected into the sphincter muscles to relax them. Because it is a simple procedure that does not require surgery, it has become popular among patients. But sometimes Botox treatment alone may not be sufficient, or the problem may recur. Finally, the third stage comes into play: the surgical option. If other methods do not provide a lasting solution, surgery may become unavoidable.

Anal Fissure Surgery: A Promising Solution

That unbearable pain in the anus, bleeding, and a worsening condition all point to the need for anal fissure surgery. At this stage, you have a surgical option called 'lateral internal sphincterotomy'. During this procedure, the portion of the sphincter where the tear and wound are located is skillfully removed. But take note! This procedure must be performed meticulously by expert doctors, because if too much lining is removed from the wound area, problems such as incontinence or leakage can occur. Usually performed under general anesthesia, the operation takes only 20 minutes. Through a small 1.5 cm incision in the anal area, the 10-15 mm section causing the tear is removed. If necessary, sutures will be placed to close the incision, though in most cases even this may not be needed. Remember, this operation is a way to regain the comfort and health you want to live with!