How to treat anal fissure

　　Anal fissure is a common but painful anorectal disease. It causes severe pain during defecation and persistent discomfort after defecation, which seriously affects the quality of life. Many people delay treatment because they are too embarrassed to speak up, and small problems turn into big troubles. In fact, anal fissure is not terrible. The key is to deal with it promptly and correctly. So, how to treat anal fissure? What are some scientific and effective methods? Let’s walk you through them one by one.

How to treat anal fissure

　　1. Correct defecation abnormalities

　　Constipation is the main cause of anal fissures. Keep stool soft and smooth. It is recommended to drink more water and eat more foods rich in dietary fiber (such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains). If necessary, you can use laxatives or intestinal moisturizing drugs under the guidance of a doctor to avoid excessive force during defecation and aggravating the crack.

　　2. Warm water sitz bath

　　Taking a sitz bath with warm water for 10-15 minutes after defecation every day can effectively relieve anal sphincter spasm, reduce pain, promote local blood circulation, and speed up wound healing. You can also add a small amount of potassium permanganate (diluted to light pink) or Chinese herbal medicine in the water to clean and reduce inflammation.

　　3. Local drug treatment

　　You can use topical ointments as directed by your doctor, such as nitroglycerin ointment (to help relax the sphincter), lidocaine gel (to relieve pain), hemorrhoid ointment, or antibiotic ointment (to reduce inflammation and promote healing). These drugs can reduce symptoms and improve comfort, and are suitable for early or mild anal fissures.

　　4. Anal dilation treatment

　　For patients with chronic anal fissures and sphincter tension, doctors may recommend anal dilation treatment. Under local anesthesia, the anus is slowly expanded to relieve muscle spasm, improve local blood supply, and help the tear heal. This operation must be performed by a professional doctor to avoid injury.

　　5. Surgical treatment

　　If conservative treatment is ineffective or the "anal fissure triad" (fissure, sentinel hemorrhoids, and anal papillary hypertrophy) occurs, surgical intervention is required. Common surgical procedures include anal fissure resection, internal anal sphincterotomy, etc., which can completely remove lesions, relieve obstruction, and have a high cure rate.

How to prevent anal fissure

　　1. Adjust your diet to maintain smooth defecation

　　Consume 20-30 grams of dietary fiber every day, and eat more celery, leeks, oats, dragon fruit and other foods to promote intestinal peristalsis.； Make sure to drink 1500-2000 ml of water in several portions to avoid dry stool. Reduce the intake of spicy and fried foods to avoid irritating the intestinal mucosa and reduce the risk of friction damage during defecation.

　　2. Develop good bowel habits

　　Try to defecate at a fixed time every day (such as in the morning after meals) to avoid holding in your stool； Focus on defecation, do not look at your phone, control the time within 5 minutes, and avoid excessive exertion. Wash the anus with warm water after defecation and avoid wiping it hard to reduce local skin irritation and reduce the probability of anal fissure.

　　3. Avoid sitting and standing for long periods of time and exercise moderately

　　Do not sit for more than 1 hour a day, get up regularly and move around； Perform moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, and yoga 3-4 times a week, for 30 minutes each time to promote perianal blood circulation, enhance pelvic floor muscle strength, avoid local venous congestion, and reduce pressure during defecation.

　　4. Take local care to prevent infection

　　Keep the anus clean and dry, avoid wearing tight, airtight underwear, and choose cotton and breathable materials； If you experience perianal itching and discomfort, avoid scratching and use mild butt cream or ointment under the guidance of a doctor. People with underlying diseases such as hemorrhoids and enteritis need active treatment to reduce the triggering factors for anal fissures.

　　Once symptoms of anal fissure appear, you should seek medical treatment promptly and do not abuse folk remedies on your own. Only with scientific treatment and good living habits can we truly stay away from the trouble of anal fissure.