It is the most painful anal condition if diagnosed early can easily be cured
ANAL FISSURE
Anal fissures, often mistaken for piles, are a common cause of severe anal pain and burning, especially during and after bowel movements. While many believe hard stools or short-term diarrhea are the sole culprits, the causes are often more complex. Anal fissures can be a symptom of serious conditions like colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Other contributing factors include repeated childbirth, laxative abuse, abnormal anal sexual practices, and prolonged sitting, such as that associated with work-from-home lifestyles.
An anal fissure is a linear tear in the anal lining at the mucocutaneous junction (anal verge). The characteristic symptoms include intense pain and burning during defecation, which can last for minutes or even hours afterward. Traces of blood may be seen in the stool, and the initial part of the stool is often hard due to a pain-spasm-constipation cycle.
Diagnosis is typically made through clinical examination. If conservative treatment fails to provide relief, a colonoscopy may be recommended. Patients sometimes notice a skin tag at the anal verge, known as a sentinel tag. While often mistaken for a hemorrhoid, it's a separate entity—a protective mechanism covering the underlying fissure. It's crucial to address the fissure itself, not just the tag.
Acute anal fissures are usually treated with medication (oral or topical). Chronic fissures, however, may require surgery. It's important not to delay or prolong medical treatment unnecessarily, as a chronic fissure can lead to complications like a retro-fissure abscess or fistula.