During a bowel movement when passing stool(HARD OR LARGE STOOLS) this anal fissure occurs. It is a small tear in the mucosa that lines the anus.
According to Ayurveda, this disease is known as parkartika.(means cutting or burning nature of pain). Doshas which are responsible for this are pitta and vata dosha.(because of poor digestion and high consumption of dry hot or salty food and these things and other factors aggravate both the doshas.
Mainly it is caused by constipation , chronic diarrhea , childbirth, anal intercourse, straining during bowel movements, anal injury, stress, ageing some less common causes are TB, anal cancer, HIV ,inflammatory bowel disease.
Symptoms of Fissure
- Severe or mild pain
- Small lump near the anal fissure
- Red blood on the stool
- Crack, that is visible on the skin around the anus
- Pain aggravation after passing stool and can last to an hour
- Redness and swelling around anus
- Burning and itching
When to See Your Doctor for Fissure Disease?
- Pain, burning and itching condition
- Discomfort
- Bleeding that won’t stop accompanied by dizziness or feeling faint
- Anal discharge
Causes & Risk Factors
Risk Factors
- Age factor
- Childbirth
- Constipation
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Anal intercourse
- Hypothyroidism
- Obesity
Prevention of Fissure
- By preventing constipation or diarrhea
- Fiber rich diet
- Fluids intake
- Regular exercise
- Sitz bath
- Keep anal area dry
- Clean the area with warm water and mild soap to maintain hygiene
Fissure Diagnosis
- Rectal examination
- By inserting an anoscope
- Physical exam
- Colonoscopy
General Tips for Fissure
- Don’t ignore your urge to go
- Practice healthy bowel movements
- Change diaper frequently
- Use stool softeners
- Drink more water
- Avoid stress
- Avoid caffeine
- Daily exercise
Home Remedies for Fissure
- Triphala intake 2tsp twice a day
- Haridra as an antioxidant
- Plenty of fluids
- Mix salad twice a day
- Maintain hygiene
- Eat healthy to avoid constipation
- Exercise regularly for regular bowel movements
- Use of mild laxative
- Lubricate the rectum before each bowel movement by inserting petroleum jelly
- Don’t avoid the urge to go because it may results in bigger and harder stools to form
- Ice packs to relieve the discomfort and burning sensation
- Clean the area by using fragrant free baby wipes
- Stay hydrated
- Fiber intake like raw nuts
- Drink lukewarm water
- Change diaper frequently of infants
What to Avoid
- Spicy food
- Fried food
- Alcohol
- Meat
- Pickle
- No to maida
- Popcorns, nuts or constipating foods
- Hot sauce, chili powder and red pepper flakes
- Cheese, red meat, fast food, pre prepared food
What to Eat
- Broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, spinach,tomato
- Watermelon, strawberries, sweet peppers
- Beans, chickpeas, lentils, avocado ,pigeon peas, cowpeas, soyabeans
- Dry fruits
- Plenty of after
- Apples, banana, sweet potatoes
Questions and Answers
Q1. What are the best treatments available for fissure?
Ans. The best treatments are to maintain hygiene, lifestyle changes, eating healthy food, sitz batch etc. lastly surgical treatments like sphincterotomy or anal dilatation. {In ayurveda kshar karma is effective which results in complete healing of fissure.}
Q2. What are the main causes of fissure?
Ans. hard stool, diarrhoea ,trauma to anus during childbirth, inflammation, weakness of anus, other causes like anal cancer, tuberculosis, herpes etc.
Q3. How can we take care?
Ans. simple steps like
- Keep the anal region clean
- Treat constipation
- Ayurvedic kshar karma therapy
- Use stool softeners
- More water intake
- Fiber rich diet
Q4. How ayurveda treatment considered effective?
Ans. Yes effective.Ayurvedic treatment is effective according to the severity of the problem. It is a healing process{healing state and not completely healed} and have chances of reappear again when there is an episode of constipation and other causes. So always continue the treatment as per the advice of the doctor including do’s and don’ts and what to eat and avoid. Kshara sutra therapy is very effective only in 3-5 kshar karma sittings.