Causes and Prevention of Anal Fissures

Anal fissures are a relatively common cause of rectal pain and bleeding, affecting about a quarter million people in the United States every year. While these tiny cuts can certainly be treated, ideally, you’d like to do all you can to prevent them in the first place.

At our practice in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, offers advanced treatment options for anal fissures, relieving painful symptoms while helping patients avoid fissures in the future. Here, learn why fissures happen and what steps you can take to prevent them.

Anal fissures: Why they happen

Anal fissures are small cuts that happen in the thin tissue surrounding the anal sphincter. Typically, these cuts happen when the sphincter opening is stretched beyond its normal capacity. While they can occur anywhere around the sphincter, most fissures appear in the front or back “wall” of the opening.

Many fissures form as a result of hard, dry stools. If your stool is hard and dry, it’s inflexible, and when passing through the sphincter, it’s more likely to cause tiny tears or irritation that can lead to tears later. Chronic diarrhea can cause fissures, too, by irritating and inflaming the anal membrane, making it more prone to tears.

While anal fissures can happen to anyone, they can also be associated with risk factors such as:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Obesity
• Chronic constipation or poor bowel habits
• Thyroid disease
• Some sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Certain medications that cause constipation

In addition, some women develop anal fissures following vaginal childbirth.

Preventing and treating anal fissures

While most anal fissures heal within a few weeks, they often recur, particularly if you have risk factors or habits that contribute to fissures. If you continue to be constipated or your bowel movements remain unusually hard, you’re more likely to tear open the area again. 

Repeated tears can injure or irritate surrounding muscles, resulting in spasms that stretch and tear the lining, prolonging how long it takes to heal. Since any cut increases your risk of infections and chronic discomfort, you want to do all you can to prevent fissures from developing.

Because many fissures are caused by hard bowel movements, one of the best ways to prevent them is by incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes. Here are a few things to try.

Fill up on fiber

Make sure you eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, like whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. These foods add bulk to your stool, keeping it softer and less dense.

Drink plenty of water

It’s also important to drink enough water throughout the day. Water helps prevent constipation by keeping your bowel movements soft and moist. Consider limiting caffeinated beverages that may cause you to urinate more, leaving less moisture for your stool.

Get up and move

Incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine. Walking and doing other types of exercise on a regular basis keeps your bowels moving to help prevent hard stools and constipation. Plus, physical activity may help you drop extra pounds that could contribute to fissures.

Practice regular bathroom habits

If you feel the need to move your bowels, don’t delay using the bathroom. Avoid straining, and consider using an over-the-counter stool softener if needed.

Have your symptoms evaluated

While anal fissures are a relatively common cause of anal pain and bleeding, they’re not the only cause. Hemorrhoids, IBD, STDs, and cancer are other possibilities. 

If you have any anal bleeding or pain, it’s important to have it evaluated right away so it can be treated as soon as possible. To learn more or to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Tarlowe, call 954-210-7127 or request an appointment online.