How to Reduce the Risk of Anal Fissures

There is nothing more painful and embarrassing than dealing with anal fissures. Approximately one in every ten people experience one at some point. It’s a common affliction that can affect anyone, and one can readily find forms of anal fissure treatment to get rid of it. 

However, if you’re prone to anal fissures, it’s imperative to find preventative measures to avoid them in the future altogether. 

What Are Anal Fissures?

Anal fissures are constantly being mistaken for hemorrhoids. To effectively reduce your risk of anal fissures, you need to understand what exactly constitutes anal fissures. 

According to John Hopkins Medicine, anal fissures are tears or cracks in your anus. These tears or cracks occur from stretching your anal mucosa beyond its normal capacity. Once torn, it is susceptible to repeated injury from the exposed internal sphincter muscle beneath going into spasm. This spasm creates pain and pulls the fissure’s edges, making it harder for it to heal properly. 

Unlike hemorrhoids, pain from anal fissures does not last for several days. Pain is most apparent during and after a bowel movement that sometimes lasts for a few hours. Plus, key indicators of anal fissures are associated with itching and blood on toilet tissue, in the bowl, or on the stool itself. 

Sadly, 40% of patients have let this cycle repeat constantly by not receiving fissure treatment, resulting in a chronic stage. 

Woman suffering from anal fissure and holding toilet paper with blood stain on grey background.

What Causes Anal Fissures?

The best way to combat anal fissures is to understand what can cause them to occur. For the most part, one of the common culprits behind anal fissures is passing large or hard stools since doing so can push the sphincters of your anus to their limit and tear. 

However, there are various ways to end up with anal fissures. As long as there are ways to stretch your anus beyond its capacity, it leaves you vulnerable to possible anal fissures developing. 

Here are a few additional causes for anal fissures:

  • Straining during bowel movements (constipation)
  • Chronic diarrhea 
  • Anal intercourse
  • Childbirth

Typically, anyone can end up with anal fissures. However, it’s more common in infants and middle-aged adults.

How to Prevent Anal Fissures?

The best way to reduce your risk of developing anal fissures is by ensuring your anus doesn’t get too stretched out to the point where tears can appear. The common problem stems from either constipation or diarrhea for the most part. To counteract those types of stools, start eating high-fibre foods, stay hydrated with water, and exercise regularly. As for anal intercourse, it’s recommended to lubricate your partner’s anus properly before engaging to avoid potential tears from occurring. 

Award-winning, innovative and passionate, N.A. Hemorrhoids Centre is a hemorrhoid clinic in Calgary offering reliable hemorrhoid treatment. As hemorrhoid specialists, we can treat anal fissures, anal fistulas, anal abscesses, anal itching and more. As a naturopathic hemorrhoid clinic with an international reach, our services are the right solution to treat your sensitive and uncomfortable concerns. Contact us today at 403-796-7551 for more information or to book your appointment.