Can Fissures Cause Narrow or Thin Stools?
Anal fissures are extremely painful and very uncomfortable small tears in the anus lining. The main causes of these fissures are diarrhea that lasts for a long time or passing firm stools. One question that people with anal fissures frequently have is whether they can result in thin or narrow stools or not?
In this blog, we are going to look into the connection between anal fissures and stool changes. Are you having anal fissures and other symptoms? If so, you can get expert care and guidance from Dr. Raviram S, an experienced Anal Fissure doctor in Thrissur.
What Does "Narrow Stool" Actually Mean?
Before understanding the cause, we must define the appearance. Patients describe narrow stools meaning in many ways:
- Pencil thin poop: Stool that is cylindrical but very thin, like a pencil.
- Ribbon like poop: Flat, wide, but thin strands.
- Flat stool: Looks like it has been compressed or squashed.
- Stringy stool / Stringy poop: Breaking apart into thin, string-like pieces.
- Snake poop: Long, thin, and winding.
If your poos meaning has changed to this shape, it indicates a narrowing in the anal canal or a change in how the rectal muscles are working.
Understanding Anal Fissures:
Small, linear tears or fractures in the mucosal lining of the anus are known as anal fissures. They are usually brought on by damage to the anal canal, which can occur as a result of straining during bowel motions, passing large or hard stools, or persistent diarrhea. Significant discomfort from anal fissures might include pain during and after bowel movements, itching, and occasionally bleeding. For the best anal fissure treatment in Thrissur, Dr. Raviram S offers specialized care at Thrissur Piles Clinic to address these issues effectively.
The Relationship Between Stool Shape and Fissures:
- Pain and Strain: Pain in the anal area is the biggest sign of an anal fissure particularly if it is during and after the bowel motion. People may unconsciously alter their bowel habits to reduce the discomfort caused by the pain of the fissure. When people are having a bowel movement, for instance, they may not strain as much or even assume uncomfortable positions. This, in turn, can change the shape and substance of their stools.
- Compensatory Changes: People who have fissure pain may start passing thinner, smaller stools as a way to alleviate their pain. The sphincter, which is the muscle that controls the release of stool, can also relax more when a person has pain to prevent the pain, thus, the creation of thin or narrow stools.
- Inflammation and Scar Tissue: A long-standing anal fissure may bring about inflammation and scar tissue formation. The narrowing of the anal canal due to scar tissue may be the reason for thin or narrow stools since it allows the stool to pass through a smaller opening.
Decoding Your Poop: What Do These Signs Mean?
At Thrissur Piles Clinic, we believe in educating patients. Here is a breakdown of common feces pictures and descriptions you might be searching for:
- Hard Pencil / Hard Stool: Indicates constipation symptoms. You lack fiber or water.
- Worms in human poop pictures: If you see white, moving threads, this is a parasite infection, not a fissure.
- Floating Stool (If egg floats in water concept): If good eggs float or sink is the test for eggs, for stool, floating usually means high gas or fat (malabsorption), not necessarily a fissure.
- Mucus in stool: Can indicate IBS or inflammation (Colitis).
- Light brown and dark brown poop mixed: Usually normal, but can indicate old and new stool mixing.
- Stringy Stool: Common in IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Ibs poop look like often alternates between diarrhea and flat stool.
Diagnosis: How We Check
When you visit Dr. Raviram S., a leading Anal Fissure doctor in Thrissur, the examination is gentle.
- Visual Exam: Checking for fissure scar tissue, skin tags, or a visible tear.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): To feel for anal stenosis or hemorrhoids.
- Proctoscopy: To view the inner canal.
- X-Ray/Colonoscopy: If intestinal blockage x ray signs are present or to rule out diverticular disease definition (pouches in the colon).
Treatment for Narrow Stools & Fissures in Thrissur
If your narrow stool causes are related to fissures or tightness, Dr. Raviram S. offers the following treatments at Thrissur Piles Clinic:
1. Medical Management (First Line)
- Stool Softeners: To stop hard bowel movements and impaction definition (stuck stool).
- Ointments: To relax the anal sphincter and stop the spasms that cause pencil like bowel movements.
- Diet: A hepatosplenomegaly diet (liver healthy) or high-fiber diet to bulk up the stool.
2. Laser Treatment for Anal Fissure in Thrissur
For chronic fissures where scar tissue in anus has formed, Laser Sphincterotomy is the gold standard.
- Painless: The laser gently releases the tight muscle.
- No Cuts: Minimal bleeding and fast recovery.
- Normal Stool Returns: Once the muscle relaxes, the ribbon like stool returns to a normal cylinder shape.
3. Botox Injection
Botox can paralyze the spastic muscle temporarily, allowing the fissure to heal and the anal skinny tightness to resolve.
Tips for Preventing Anal Fissures:
Making lifestyle modification and maintaining a regular bowel routine are key to preventing anal fissures:
- Avoid Straining: To avoid overstretching when having bowel motions, adopt healthy bowel habits.
- Routine Exercise: To encourage regular bowel movements and a healthy digestive system, move regularly.
- Constipation: To reduce symptoms, eat more fiber and drink plenty of water.
- Hemorrhoids: Increase your intake of water and fiber to help ease the pain of hemorrhoids.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effectively manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome by making dietary and lifestyle changes.
When to See a Specialist:
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, including narrow or thin stools, it is essential to consult a specialist. Dr. Raviram S, a leading Proctologist in Thrissur, can provide expert care for anal fissures and other related conditions. With extensive experience treating complex colorectal issues, Dr. Raviram S offers personalized treatment plans to address your specific needs and help you achieve optimal health.
Conclusion:
In summary, while anal fissures themselves do not instantly cause narrow or thin stools, the underlying factors contributing to fissures, such as straining and hard stools, can influence stool characteristics. With the right care and lifestyle adjustments, you can manage anal fissures effectively and improve your overall bowel health. For expert advice and Anal Fissure Surgery in Thrissur, consider consulting Dr. Raviram S, a highly skilled Colorectal surgeon in Thrissur dedicated to providing top-notch care for colorectal conditions.