Fissures-in-the-ano is more common than you think. A 2019 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research study mentioned that 17.81% of patients in the study had fissures. An Indian Express report revealed that anorectal disorders, including piles, fissures, and fistula cases, increased among 15-50-year-old patients, especially during the pandemic. It was because of a lack of physical activity and poor digestion.
Doctors say that every one person in ten individuals will be affected by a fissure at some point in their life. It can equally affect both genders, and there is no specific age when a person can develop fissures.
The tiny tears in and around the lining of the rectum can cause discomfort, bleeding, and pain. There can be multiple causes of fissures, including chronic constipation, constant straining while passing stools, persistent diarrhea, rectal intercourse, tight anal sphincter muscles, and childbirth.
COMMON HOME REMEDIES FOR HEALING FISSURE
Although most patients suffering from fissures can find relief over time, get a consultation from a GI doctor. A medical professional with expertise in anorectal diseases can confirm the presence of fissures. In addition, they can recommend the most effective non-surgical interventions and home remedies according to your situation.
REMEDY 1: TAKE REGULAR SITZ BATHS
If the fissure does not heal on its own, sitz baths can help to alleviate pain and expedite the healing process. Your GI doctor may recommend taking a sitz bath 2-3 times daily to reduce pain and swelling. There is no need to buy a sitz bath kit that fits over a toilet seat. You can also use a bathtub to heal the fissure. Make sure you fill warm water in the bathtub. Avoid using any essential oil that can irritate the skin. You can use baking soda, regular salt, or Epsom salt, but discuss with your doctor beforehand. Your doctor may also provide medication to add to the sitz bath.
You can also sit on a heating pad to increase blood flow in the anorectal region and ensure quick healing.
REMEDY 2: MAINTAIN HYGIENE OF THE ANORECTAL AREA
Keep the anorectal region clean by washing it regularly. Avoid using toilet paper or wet wipes with fragrance, as they can irritate your skin. Keep it dry after every time you pass the bowels. There is no need to use soaps that unnecessarily dry the anorectal lining. Ask your doctor whether you need a medicated soap or warm water that will be sufficient to heal the fissure.
You can also use coconut oil to lubricate the area and keep it from going dry and itchy. Discuss topical anesthetic.
REMEDY 3: USE OTC STOOL SOFTENERS
Oral stool softeners, fiber supplements, and laxatives can ensure more effortless bowel movements. It will help you to avoid straining and thus provide relief while passing stools. However, taking OTC medication without the doctor’s knowledge and recommendation can negatively affect your health.
For example, stool softeners and laxatives are only helpful when fissures occur due to chronic constipation and poor bowel movements. However, medications and supplements that promote regular bowel movements may prove counterproductive if you have fissures because of persistent diarrhea.
REMEDY 4: MAKE DIETARY CHANGES
When dealing with fissures, a typical home remedy is to avoid food that causes constipation. Sometimes, cheese, paneer, other dairy products, bananas, bread, white rice, fried food, and other foods with low fiber content can cause constipation. Additionally, consuming tea, coffee, and cold drinks can cause dehydration.
Choose foods high in fiber to help with digestion and bowel movements. However, it is essential to look for balanced meal options instead of simply consuming raw salads that can cause constipation. Create a healthy mix of fats, protein, and carbohydrates. When consuming Indian meals, consume dal and sabji in reasonable quantities. Consume water regularly and keep yourself hydrated.
REMEDY 5: MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Regular exercise is an effective tool to ensure good bowel movements. Whether it is yoga, swimming, strength training, or any other exercise, it has many benefits. It can improve your digestion, normalize your bowel movements, and, thus, avoid the reoccurrence of anal fissures. So, exercise 30 to 45 minutes most days of the week and maintain a healthy body.
A GI SURGEON AT YOUR SERVICE!
It would be best if you did not ignore fissures. Sometimes, the problem can be a symptom of serious issues such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, rectal cancer, HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes, etc. So, even if you follow several home remedies, the problem will not disappear.
Additionally, some fissures may not heal entirely, or a few may repeatedly occur, affecting your health. It may also happen that the tear extends to nearby muscles, thus making the healing process all the more complicated. Therefore, it is best to visit a GI doctor to treat fissures.
The doctor will undertake a thorough checkup and diagnosis to confirm the presence of a fissure. If it does not heal with non-surgical interventions and behavioral changes, the GI surgeon may insist on a “laser treatment for fissures.” It includes the use of a diode laser machine to remove the fissure. In severe conditions, a lateral sphincterotomy surgery may become necessary. The doctor will cut the internal sphincter muscle fibers to rapidly decrease muscle spasms and heal the fissure. The success rate of the surgery is more than 95%, thus, making it an excellent surgical intervention for patients suffering from fissures.
Having an experienced GI surgeon means access to the best and most advanced fissure treatment, including surgical measures to heal the tears. So, do not feel shy if you are troubled by recurring fissures. Instead, visit a GI surgeon for long-term relief.
