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Anal Fissure
What is an anal fissure
An anal fissure is a split in the skin of the
lower part of the anal canal. It probably starts as a simple tear and
is not necessarily associated with constipation, as most patients have
normal bowel activity, and sometimes a tendency towards looseness of
stools. It is possibly a piece of sharp undigested food, which causes
the condition.
Symptoms
The commonest symptoms of anal fissures are
pain at defaecation, bright bleeding which may be on the toilet paper
or in the toilet and anal irritation. The condition can wax and wane in
severity.
Treatment
Most acute fissures will settle down with
conservative (non-operative) treatment which may include stool
softeners, appropriate ointment and warm baths. Oral analgesics are
also helpful.
A cream called 'Rectogesic' can often be helpful but it may have some unpleasant side effects and must be used only as directed.
If the fissure symptoms are chronic then
usually a minor anal operation will be required. This procedure is
termed a sphincterotomy which involves dividing a small portion of one
of the muscles around the anal canal (the internal sphincter). This is
usually done as a day case, with no overnight stay required. The
operation is almost always successful. Complications are very unusual
but require informed discussion with Professor Polglase.
Related Links
Related Downloads
Authorised: Adrian Polglase
Reviewed: Monday, February 27, 2006
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gas
July 18, 2007 |
| We’ve all experienced intestinal gas, some more than others. While belching, bloating, and flatulence are considered normal, the urge to pass gas can cause social embarrassment, discomfort and pain. Although you can’t stop gas from forming, you may be able to alleviate the symptoms through diet, lifestyle changes and medications. If you experience persistent gas pains, you should talk to your doctor.
For more information on intestinal gas, visit the ACG Web site at www.acg.gi.org
Source: American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
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Bowel cancer finding brings screening closer
July 18, 2007 |
| RESEARCHERS have identified for the first time a gene that triggers bowel cancer, a move that could bring closer a genetic screening test for the disease.
The gene, carried by about half the population, appears to increase the risk of developing bowel cancer by 20per cent.
Bowel cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for about 13,000 new cases a year.
So far, faulty genes have only been implicated in about 5 per cent of all cancers, and 5 per cent of bowel cancers.
In the case of bowel cancers, the genetic defects so far associated with the disease are all thought to be associated with faulty cellular repair mechanisms, meaning that the body loses the ability to kill off cells that start to divide abnormally.
Bowel cancer is also the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia, accounting for 4372 deaths in 2003, or 11.5 per cent of the total fatalities. It is notoriously hard to pick up for a number of reasons, including the difficulty of picking up warning signs - such as blood in the faeces - and patients' reluctance to see their doctors.
This year the federal Government began rolling out a screening program, costing $43 million over three years, whereby older Australians send in a faecal sample for testing.
If blood that could indicate a cancer is detected in the sample, the patient may be called in for further examinations.
The latest findings, published in international journal Nature Genetics, suggest a faulty gene found on chromosome 8 may trigger bowel cancer, and account for 10per cent of all cases of the disease. |
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| Let's Beat Bowel Cancer |
| An initiative of Cabrini Health, Let's Beat Bowel Cancer is a not-for-profit, community awareness program dedicated to saving lives through improved bowel cancer research, education and prevention.
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