Fissure
The anus and anal canal can be injured and cause anal fissures. The anus is torn longitudinally at the lower end, and the anal region is most affected by this condition. Young and middle-aged people are more likely to suffer from it. Children also suffer from fissures due to incorrect eating habits.
Causes of Anal Fissure
There are several possible causes of anal fissures, including trauma to the anus and the anal canal. There are several causes of trauma:
- Chronic constipation
- Straining to have a bowel movement, especially if the stool is large, hard, and/or dry
- Prolonged diarrhoea
- Anal stretching
- Insertion of foreign objects into the anus
Other causes of anal fissures (other than trauma) include:
- Longstanding poor bowel habits
- Overly tight or spastic anal sphincter muscles (muscles that control the closing of the anus)
- Scarring in the anorectal area
- Presence of an underlying medical problem: such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; anal cancer; leukaemia; infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis); and sexually transmitted diseases (such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, cancroid, HIV)
- Decreased blood flow to the anorectal area
Ayurveda Treatment for Anal Fissures
For the treatment of anal fissures, Ayurveda recommends both internal medication and topical ointments. Medicines that soften stools and promote tissue healing are used in order to avoid further irritation to the damaged tissues. Topical applications can be made with ointments that are anti-bacterial and antiseptic.