The skin around the anal area is extremely soft, which makes it susceptible to tearing at the slightest trauma to its inner lining. This results in anal fissure, a common condition which is characterized by a tear or a lesion in the anus or anal canal.
Due to the sensitivity of the tissue, even a small tear can cause severe pain. To make matters worse, it makes daily activities – like passing gas or passing stool – excruciatingly difficult. Sometimes, these bowel movements are accompanied by bloody stools, which is a cause for alarm since it may lead to more serious conditions.
A common question among those without any medical background is do anal fissure cause swelling in the rectum and anus? To answer this question, much discussion is needed with respect to the origin of this problem.
The occurrence of anal fissures is often attributed to activities which cause the anal mucosa to stretch beyond its limits. Among its common causes include vaginal child birth, constipation, and intense diarrhea. People suffering from diseases in the intestinal tract like Chron’s disease may also experience these anal fissures.
The friction caused by these activities result in an increased pressure in the sphincter which only worsens the pain. Additionally, this results in a decreased blood flow in the area. And when this area does not receive enough blood flow, the natural healing property of the tissue is greatly impaired, and the rectum will begin to swell.
This swelling and pain is especially true during and after bowel movement. As the stool would pass through the rectum, the fissure will experience friction which, in turn, will cause it to swell. This can be a scary experience to some patients, so they end up avoiding bowel movements. However, this is not advised. Anal fissures may take around a month to heal, and to avoid passing stool that long will lead to serious diseases.
Thus, treatment at its onset is highly advised. Over-the-counter pain relievers and topical ointments are available to help soothe and relax the muscles. In fact, study reveals that ointments containing 2% nitroglycerin speeds up the healing process of the tissue.
In addition to medication, it is advised to maintain a high-fiber diet. Drinking lots of water also helps soften the stool to make it easier to excrete without causing too much friction with the lesion.
So, do anal fissure cause swelling in the rectum and anus? Yes, it does!
With that in mind, it is important to make sure that the fissure is fully healed. Since it causes swelling in the rectum and anus, there is high probability for its recurrence. And the worst part about recurrence is that it opens the possibility for the fissure to reach the internal anal sphincter which makes it difficult to heal.
And although anal fissures are categorized as a minor condition, it is still best to consult a medical professional. Only they can provide accurate prescriptions and instructions with your specific needs in mind to ensure faster recovery.
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