User:Mr. Ibrahem/Anal fissure
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An anal fissure is a break or superficial tear in the skin of the anal canal.[1] Symptoms generally include severe pain with bowel movements and potentially small amounts of rectal bleeding.[1] The pain may last for hours after a bowel movement.[1] They can reoccur and last for more than 6 weeks.[1] Complications may include anal fistula formation and fecal incontinence.[1]
Anal fissure | |
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Other names | Fissure in ano, rectal fissure |
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An anal fissure | |
Specialty | General surgery |
Symptoms | Severe pain with bowel movements, rectal bleeding[1] |
Complications | Anal fistula, fecal incontinence[1] |
Duration | Few days to few weeks[1] |
Types | Primary, secondary[1] |
Causes | Constipation, diarrhea, sexually transmitted infections, inflammatory bowel disease, childbirth, HIV/AIDS, anal cancer, anal sex[1] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and examination[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Hemorrhoids, perianal abscess, anal fistula[1] |
Prevention | Sufficient fluid intake[1] |
Treatment | Sitz baths, pain medication, stool softeners, high-fiber diet, surgery[1] |
Medication | Glyceryl trinitrate, nifedipine, botox[2] |
Frequency | Common[1] |
Common causes include constipation and injury.[1] Other causes include diarrhea, sexually transmitted infections, inflammatory bowel disease, childbirth, HIV/AIDS, anal cancer, and anal sex.[1] They typically occur in the midline posteriorly.[1] Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and examination.[1]
Initial treatment is often with sitz baths, pain medication, stool softeners, and a high-fiber diet.[1] Other medications that may be used include glyceryl trinitrate or nifedipine applied to the skin or botox injections.[2] If this is not effective surgery, known as a lateral internal sphincterotomy, may be performed.[3] They are common both in children and adults.[1] Males and females are affected equally.[1] The condition was initially described by John Lockhart-Mummery in 1934.[3]