Ouch! A Bowel Movement And Then Pain. And Maybe Even Some Blood.
Much has been written about anal fissures. And just about everyone knows that the Proctologist, also known as a colon and rectal surgeon, is the person to see when you have a fissure. We all know about the pain that comes with the fissure. And sometimes bleeding too. But, what about the cause? Do we know about the causes of an anal fissure? Is it the stress of big city life in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills?
Anal fissures tend to strike when we are least prepared. Babies often experience fissures, as do older adults. For some (lucky) reason those of us between the ages of 5 and 40 years old rarely experience the pain of the fissure. The reasons for this are unclear. What are the reasons?
First, What Is An Anal Fissure?
An anal fissure is simply a small tear in the lining of the anal opening, usually in the back of the opening. Since there are an abundance of nerve endings in the anal area, a tear in this area is bound to affect these nerves. And, with repeated stretching of the area by bowel movements, the tear is repeated over and over again.
Most of us experience painless, microscopic anal tears with each bowel movement. They heal unnoticed. But, sometimes they do not heal. Why?
Causes Of An Anal Fissure (The List Is Long).
- Soap use on the anal opening irritates the lining, predisposing you to a non-healing fissure.
- A large stool.
- A hard stool
- Uncontrolled, explosive diarrhea, rapidly expanding the opening. Or diarrhea occurring over many days, weeks or months.
- Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis (Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD)
- Infectious diseases such as HIV, Herpes, syphilis or tuberculosis.
- Anal cancer
- Childbirth.
- Anal intercourse or anal stretching.
What next? Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates
The surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates are board certified and trained in the diagnosis and treatment of anal fissures. They are able to care for all disease of the colon, rectum and anus. If you have tried home remedies for your fissure and have not obtained relief, it is important to see one of the surgeons to be sure that you do indeed have a fissure and then to treat you correctly if you do have one.
By calling (310)273-2310, you can schedule a confidential appointment to begin your gentle diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
