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Medical Conditions for Which Stool Softeners
May be Recommended: Anal Fissures1-2
An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anal canal. It often
occurs after the passage of a hard bowel movement.1
Fissures typically cause pain and often bleed. Fissures are quite
common, but are often confused with other causes of pain and bleeding,
such as hemorrhoids.2
The typical symptoms of an anal fissure are pain during or after
defecation and bleeding. Patients may try to avoid defecation because of
the pain.2
A hard, dry bowel movement is typically responsible for a fissure. Other
causes of a fissure include diarrhea or inflammatory conditions of the
anal area.2 References
- Amerian College of Gastroenterology. ACG Website. Common Disorders
of the Anus and Rectum: Hemorrhoids and Fissures.
Available at:
http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/hemorrhoids.asp
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. ASCRS Website.
Available at:
http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/anal_fissure/
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