Fissures are tears in the lining of the anus (the place from where feces are excreted). The main area affected is the internal anal sphincter. The circular muscle ring (situated right above the opening) spasms that causes a lot of pain to an individual. This spasming worsens the tear, making it tough to heal and allow blood flow. Fissures can either be acute (if present for six weeks) or chronic (more than six weeks).
Symptoms and Causes:
Symptoms of anal fissures include bleeding and the feeling of tearing or burning while excreting. If it occurs every single time, it causes immense pain in the rectal area. The bleeding is not severe, however, and some even report irritation or itching around the anus.
Fissures are the results of trauma to the anal cavity, causing it to stretch more than normal. This may happen due to hard, uncomfortable bowel movements, anal intercourse or even explosive diarrhea. People with Crohn disease are at high risk of developing such fissures as well.
The Cure
Consult a doctor if you have these symptoms. There are ways of curing fissures. Fissures Treatment aims to soften the stools. Here is how you can evade and cure anal fissures:
1. Fiber, fiber, fiber: Doctors recommend eating a lot of fiber every day, around 25 to30 grams. It helps in promoting healing. Supplements, fruits vegetables, whole grains, etc are great sources of fiber. A sudden intake of fiber can cause problems too, so increase it in the diet gradually.
2. Stop controlling the urge to go: Constipation usually occurs due to unnecessary stopping of one from going to the bathroom. This restricts bowel movements, possibly resulting in fissures.
3. Drink water: Hydrate regularly throughout the day and avoid too many caffeinated drinks. Though caffeine is great for bowel movements, excessive consumption may result in dehydration.
4. Change toilet habits: Avoid sitting on the toilet for longer than needed. This strain the anal canal. Clean thoroughly and gently after each movement and dry it. Irritants like scented soaps should be avoided. Instead, take Sitz baths (meaning soak in warm water) after bowel movements to relax the spasm.

5. Laxatives: If remedies like fiber aren't helping take safe laxatives. Consult your doctor before doing so.

6. Surgery: This is meant for those with chronic fissures and is the last resort. Lateral internal sphincterotomy is the name of the surgery. This ensures a relatively permanent cure, by considerably reducing the pain. Fissures completely heal within 8 weeks after Fissures surgery.
Doctors prescribe different medications and creams for healing fissures. Nitrate ointments may be prescribed for getting blood to flow to the anal sphincter. Calcium channel blockers help in reducing the blood pressure, though its effects a slower. Type ‘A’ Botox may also be used to paralyze the sphincter, hence reducing the pain. These all have side effects that should be discussed with the doctor. Feeling unbearable discomfort during and seeing blood after bowel movements isn’t a good sign. Immediately consult a doctor for advice on what steps to take next.