Anal Fissure

An anal fissure can create an anal abscess and is simply a tear or a cut in the anoderm. Constipation and passage of hard stools is often the cause of an anal fissure, although diarrhea can also

contribute to its development. 

Most anal fissures are located in the midline and are posterior more frequently than anterior. Anterior fissures are seen more often in women.  Most fissures heal spontaneously, but some persist. It is believed that the decreased blood flow to the midline portion of the anus contributes to a relatively ischemic milieu that becomes more profound secondary to the associated sphincter spasm noted in the majority of patients with anal fissure.  The H3 forces increased oxygenated blood flow to these blood-rich starved areas.  If you are challenged with pain in dealing with your condition, the H3 may just what you need to get you over the finish line to help you heal your condition.

The anal spasm is a defense mechanism to prevent further stretching of the anal canal and worsening of the tear.  A vicious cycle ensues whereby the anal spasm exacerbates the ischemia and prevents the fissure from healing, which in turn sustains the anal spasm to prevent further tearing. Once this cycle sets in, the likelihood of spontaneous healing decreases and the edges of the fissures become more fibrosed, leading to a chronic fissure.  Once again, the H3, using warming heat forces the relaxation fo these muscle spasms to abate, affording the injured anatomy the time to be "still and heal".   

Some fissures can be minimally symptomatic, but most patients present with severe pain, bleeding, or itching. The pain can be localized to the anus but can radiate to the buttocks, upper posterior thighs, or lower back. Often the pain is triggered by a bowel movement, can last for hours, and can be severe. Bleeding is usually not significant. Most patients with fissures have a history of constipation.

It is advisable to keep bowel motions soft so that you also should increase dietary fiber and fluid intake at least three times daily.

The importance of correct anal hygiene and the need to keep the anal area dry cannot be emphasized enough.   It is recommended that regular sitz baths (sitting in warm water up to the hips) can help to relax the sphincter help.   We recommend a much easier and more effective way of staying dry and getting this thermal influence to your anal regions by using the H3Pelvic ™ Therapy System.

You should also be advised to avoid undue straining during your bowel movements.

If lifestyle and dietary interventions are insufficient, or if the fissure is severe, a stool softener, e.g. oral docusate sodium, and mild local analgesia, e.g. lidocaine (not subsidized), may be taken.

A topical nitrate, e.g. glyceryl trinitrate 0.2% ointment (see opposite), should be considered if the fissure has been present for at least three weeks. 

You may insert 1 – 1.5 cm of ointment into the anal canal, three times daily.  

Topical calcium channel blockers are also commonly used to manage anal fissures, although this is unapproved.  If the use of topical nitrates has not improved symptoms or where the adverse effects of nitrates are intolerable, topical diltiazem 2% (requires pharmacy preparation), two to three times daily, may be used. 

The most common adverse effect is headache, although this has a lower incidence than with topical nitrates.

Botulinum toxin injected into the internal anal sphincter is used to paralyze the sphincter for several months. This treatment is most useful for females where the anal sphincter has been damaged following childbirth. Surgical techniques commonly used for anal fissures which aim to relax the internal sphincter include; open lateral sphincterotomy, closed lateral sphincterotomy, and posterior midline sphincterotomy.  Surgery is consistently superior to medical management options, although it should only be considered in people with chronic, non-healing anal fissures where medical treatments have failed as there is a slight risk of flatus and fecal incontinence following surgery.  

Do you really want to take that chance?  I didn't and that is why I designed the H3!

Using the cold side of the H3, we are able to reduce the swelling in these conditions by using the feather touch H3 thermal system.  Combined with the hot thermal mode, you can improve your body's response using contrasting therapy.   

When ya got "hiney-hurt", get the H3!   Better health using our Humancentric/Holistic/Healing devices