Anal Fissure
Anal fissures are ischemic ulcers that form when the skin of the anal canal below the dentate line splits longitudinally through its full thickness. They are most common in young and middle-aged adults. The mechanism of this condition is unclear; it is thought to be associated mainly with internal sphincter spasm and infection following injury. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “hooked-intestine hemorrhoids” and “fissure hemorrhoids.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Hard, dry stools; burning pain at the anus during bowel movements; bright red blood on the stool, dripping out, or visible on toilet paper; a red tongue with a dry, yellow coating; and a forceful, slippery, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- Stools are hard and difficult to pass.
- The anus feels hot and painful during a bowel movement.
- There may be bright red blood with the stool, dripping out, or on toilet paper after wiping.
- The tongue appears red.
- The tongue coating is yellow and dry.
- The pulse is forceful, slippery, and rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and moisten the intestines.
In plain language:
- Reduce internal heat and ease discomforts such as feeling hot, dry mouth, thirst, and restlessness.
- Moisten the intestines, soften hard stools, and help promote easier bowel movements.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
More commonly seen in people who consume alcohol and rich, sweet foods. Stools may be somewhat dry but not severely hard. There may be abdominal pain or discomfort during bowel movements, unsatisfactory evacuation, and a sensation of heaviness or fullness around the anus. Mucus or bright red blood may be present; perianal eczema may also occur, and a small amount of pus is often present in the fissure. The tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating, and the pulse is soggy and rapid.
In plain language:
- Often seen in people who enjoy drinking alcohol and eating rich, fatty foods or sweets.
- Stools may be a little dry but are not very hard.
- There may be abdominal pain or discomfort during bowel movements.
- Evacuation may not feel complete or comfortable.
- There may be a sensation of heaviness or fullness around the anus.
- Mucus and bright red bleeding may occur.
- There may also be eczema around the anus.
- A small amount of pus is often present in the fissure.
- The tongue appears red.
- The tongue coating is yellow and greasy.
- The pulse is relatively soft and rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and drain dampness.
In plain language:
- Reduce internal heat and ease discomforts such as feeling hot, dry mouth, and restlessness.
- Help clear dampness from the body and ease symptoms such as a sticky, heavy feeling, swelling, or increased discharge.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
More common in older adults, postpartum individuals, and people with anemia. Stools are dry and difficult to pass despite the urge to defecate; there is anal pain during bowel movements, often described as stabbing, and bleeding may occur. There may also be dry mouth and restlessness, with little desire to drink. The tongue is red with a scant coating, and the pulse is thin and rapid.
In plain language:
- More often seen in older adults, people after childbirth, and those with anemia.
- Stools are dry and difficult to pass.
- The anus hurts during bowel movements, with pain that may feel like a needle prick.
- Bleeding may sometimes occur.
- There may be dry mouth and restlessness, but little desire to drink.
- The tongue appears red and has very little coating.
- The pulse is thin and relatively rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish yin, clear heat, and moisten the intestines.
In plain language:
- Replenish body fluids and ease internal heat, dry mouth, hot flashes, restlessness, and related discomforts.
- Moisten the intestines, soften hard stools, support easier bowel movements, and ease pain during defecation.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Wang Qiang, Wang Yuanhe. Colorectal Surgery [M]. Beijing: People’s Military Medical Press, 1998: 257.
- Ding Ting, Liu Yuedong. Epidemiological Survey of Colorectal Diseases in Adults [J]. Chinese Journal of Coloproctology, 2016, 36(4): 14–19.