An anal fissure is defined as a small tear in the anal part that can cause pain and/or bleeding. They affect both men as well as women equally and both the young as well as the old.
The main symptoms of an anal fissure are painful bowel movements that persist for hours, and less often bright red colored bloody stool. People may try to avoid having a bowel movements due to the pain.
Anal fissures are usually due to constipation, i.e., passing a hard and dry stool which tears the fragile skin at the anal outlet. When this condition occurs, the fissure is considered to be “acute anal fissure” and if the symptoms persist for weeks or months, it can be chronic anal fissure(means it presents for a long time or recurring frequently).
In Ayurveda, anal fissure is correlated with “Parikartika” and the pain is characterized by “kartanvat shool”. It is mainly caused due to the vitiation of Vata and pitta dosha. For local applications, madhura, sheeta, and snigdh dravyas are used.
What are the causes of Anal fissure?
Anal fissures are most often caused by damage to the anal part. Most of the time, stretching and tearing can occur when a person passes hard stools.
Fissures are usually caused due to trauma in the inner lining of the anus from a bowel movement. This is because of a hard and dry bowel movement or loose, frequent bowel movements.
Patients with a tight anal sphincter muscle are more prone to develop anal fissures. Other common causes include inflammatory bowel disease, anal infections, or tumors or a sexually transmitted infection such as anal herpes infection.
What are the symptoms of an anal fissure?
The main symptom of the Anal fissure is a sharp pain that starts with the passing of stool and may last for several minutes to a few hours. As a result of fear of pain, the patients may try not to have bowel movements.
Other symptoms include:
- Bright red colored bloody stool or on toilet paper after a painful bowel movement
- Formation of a small lump or skin tag on the affected skin near the anal fissure. This symptom is more common during chronic infection.
Some preventive measures
- Firstly you have to avoid constipation and keep the stools soft
- Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods that are found in vegetables, fruits, cereals, wholemeal bread, etc.
- Drink plenty of water. Adults should drink at least two liters (10-12 cups) of water/fluids per day. Most of the fluid will pass as urine. However, some of it is passed out in the gut that keeps the stool soft.
- Don’t ignore the feeling of passing the stool because people suppress this feeling and put off going to the toilet until later. It may result in the formation of bigger and harder stools which are more difficult to pass.
What are the risk factors for anal fissure?
Here are some of the factors that may increase the risk of developing an anal fissure include:
- Constipation is the main risk factor because of straining during bowel movements and passing hard stools which increases the risk of tearing.
- Anal fissures are more common in women after they give birth to a child.
- Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the intestinal tract which may make the lining of the anal canal more vulnerable to tearing.
- Anal intercourse.
- Anal fissures can occur at any age, but it is more common in infants as well as middle-aged adults.
Ayurvedic treatment for anal fissure
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a wonder kit named “Anal fissure care kit” which is comprised of 6 products such as Detox premium powder, Piles soft tablets, Arsho fit capsules, Triphala syrup, Panchasakar churna, and Shatadhauta ghrutham.
This Ayurvedic treatment of anal fissure work on the root cause of the disease and are free from preservatives, additives and have no side effects.
1. Detox Premium Powder –
The powder is very beneficial to cure anal fissure as it removes excess toxins from the body and balances the aggravated pitta and vata dosha. It consists of several herbs and bhasmas such as shukta pishti, giloy satv, parwal pishti, kamdudha rasa, moti pishti, gandhak rasayan, akik pishti, etc. The ingredients help in reducing swelling, redness, shrinkage of tear lining in the anus, burning sensation, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.
2. Arsh Care Tablet –
Arsh care tablet are pure Ayurvedic formulation. These tablets contains pure extract of Reetha Chhilka (Sapindus mukorossi) purified in Cow’s milk. The herb used for formulation of these tablets show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, laxative properties. It makes your stool soft and help prevent constipation. It is effective against bleeding piles and reduce the pain, burning sensation,irritation while defaecation, treat Fissures, Fistula.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 tablets twice daily.
3. Piles Soft Tablet –
The symptoms of anal fissure became more severe when a patient passes a hard stool. Thus to provide relief from such condition piles soft tablets are widely used. The tablet is made up of Reetha chhilka (Sapindus mukorossi) that further purified in Cow’s milk. It acts as a laxative, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2-3 tablets twice daily with normal water.
4. Triphala Syrup –
Triphala syrup is very effective as it helps in maintaining the digestive fire and prevents the formation of ama. The syrup balances the Tridosha and provides relief from itchiness, burning sensation, excessive pain, discomfort, bleeding, etc. The syrup is composed of Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki, which further enhances the immunity of a patient.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily.
5. Panchasakar Churna –
As the name suggested the churna is made up of five ingredients – Shunti, Haritaki, Pippali, Trivrit, and Sauvarchala lavana. The ingredients act as a Vata-Anuloman and prevent the formation of ama. It helps in eliminating excess toxins from the body and regulates all the secretions normally.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 teaspoonful daily with lukewarm water at bed time.
6. Satadhauta Ghrutham –
Satadhauta ghrutham is an ayurvedic cream used for local application in wounds, burns, chickenpox, scars, herpes and other skin ailments. It is made up of Nyagrodh, Plaksha, Udumbara, Aswatha, etc. The ghrutham is prepared by washing 100 times purified ghee with water. As it provides instant relief in inflammation, skin irritation, burning sensation, helps in healing fissure, etc.
Method of Application – Gently apply over the affected area.
7. Stop Bleeding tablets –
Stop Bleeding tablet is a pure herbal formulation that works as an anticoagulant. It helps to stop or reduce heavy bleeding and thus reduce the excessive unwanted bleeding. These tablets have anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, anticoagulant properties. It also pacifies pitta doshas and helps in detoxification of rakta dhatu (blood tissue). The Ingredients present in these tablets are Nagkesar, Laksha , Moch ras, Swarn gairic, Kehrwa pisthri. These tablets Helps to stop bleeding from nose and mouth, used in thrombocytopenic purpura, Bleeding disorder, Heavy menstrual bleeding, Ulcerative colitis, Peptic ulcers, Wounds& cuts.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily.