Anal fissures can occur in any individual, but the National Institutes of Health suggests they are common in young infants. A fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal. Pain and bleeding accompany this type of wound. Most fissures heal at home with minimal treatment. Only a small number of factors contribute to the development of an anal fissure, most of which can be avoided.
Hard and Large Stools
The lining of the lower digestive system, such as the anal canal, is full of blood vessels and thin tissue. Optimal stool consistency is wet and soft to make passing easy. When the stools become hard and large, the result of passing them can be anal fissures, as indicated by MayoClinic.com. When the stool grows to be large it places pressure against the sensitive digestive tract tissues and can cause a small cut that bleeds.
Constipation
Constipation occurs when an individual has hard or difficult to pass stools. Common causes of constipation include poor diet, decreased blood flow to the area from aging and pregnancy, according to the National Institutes of Health. When constipation occurs an individual may pass hard stools and strain to have a bowel movement. Placing this much pressure on the anal canal can force the sensitive tissues to split in small areas and bleed. Hemorrhoids can occur for the same reasons and may make it difficult to discern between anal bleeding from a hemorrhoid or from a fissure.
Inflamed Tissues
MayoClinic.com points out that any type of disease or condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, can cause inflammation of the anorectal area. The anorectal area begins with the rectum a few inches inside the body and ends at the anus. When the tissues that line this area become inflamed, the risk of bleeding and rupture increase because Inflamed skin is easily irritated. Inflammatory bowel diseases, like irritable bowel syndrome, cause frequent diarrhea that irritates the tissues of the anorectal area. American Family Physician points out that when fissures are found laterally from the anus, meaning they are closer to the rectum, they may be due to illnesses that increase inflammation. Examples include syphilis, tuberculosis, herpes, cancers and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
