Hemorrhoid Or Anal
Fissure?
by Mark Freeman
Hemorrhoid or anal fissure.
Either one is a very painful condition. Some people who have
anal fissures think their pain is caused by hemorrhoids and
some who have hemorrhoids mistakenly think they suffer from an
anal fissue. Here we'll try to explain
the difference.
An anal fissure is, simply stated, a small tear or cut in the
lining of the anus. Anal fissures are generally caused by
straining while on the toilet or by constipation. Sometime
fissures are related to severe bouts of diarrhea. Fissures can
be quite painful, especially during a bowel movement when the
fissure is stretched. There will be red blood streaking the
stool if you have a fissure.
Over 90% of fissures will heal without surgery. Recommendations
to help prevent recurrence are increasing the fiber intake in
your diet. This can be best achieved by taking an over the
counter fiber supplement. Drink plenty of water to help keep
your stools soft. Some take stool softeners, but do not take
them for a longer period of time than is suggested by the
manufacturer. Warm sitz baths can help ease the pain. Sit in a
few inches of warm water for 15 minutes two to three times a
day. When you wipe, use a cotton ball or pad soaked in witch
hazel. You can buy pre moistened wipes in your drug store. Some
who suffer with fissures are prescribed topical cortisone
creams. Tylenol and Ibuprofen can help ease the pain.
Hemorrhoids are a very common medical ailment that affect
both men and women. A hemorrhoid is an enlarged or swollen anal
vein. As with anal fissures, hemorrhoids develop due to bad
bathroom habits, such as sitting on the toilet for prolonged
periods or straining. You will notice bright red blood with
hemorrhoids. You may suffer from internal or external
hemorrhoids. Generally internal hemorrhoids, which appear
higher up in the anus are not painful, and only cause bleeding.
It's when an internal hemorrhoid prolapses, or drops outside of
the anus and becomes what is know as an external hemorrhoid
that it becomes painful and problematic.
Like anal fissures, hemorrhoid symptoms can be helped by
sitz baths, wiping with cotton soaked with witch hazel, taking
stool softeners, drinking more water, and increasing the fiber
in your diet with a fiber supplement. There are numerous over
the counter medications that can help relieve symptoms.
Please remember, not all rectal bleeding is due to
hemorrhoids and fissures. If you experience any rectal bleeding
it should be checked immediately by a physician.
About the Author
This article courtesy of http://www.hemorrhoid-problems.com
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