Lessons Learned From Hemorrhoids And Fissures
Here’s what I‘ve learned, from mental health to healing to management, during years of suffering with hemorrhoids and fissures
Inflamed hemorrhoids and anal fissures are challenges that none want to experience and few discuss openly. And yet, most people will experience inflamed hemorrhoids during their lifetime. About 5% of the US population is affected at any given time and about 50% of the population above fifty years old. Anal fissures, a related problem, occur in about 0.1% of the population. The two conditions are commonly misdiagnosed for one another, and the symptoms can be quite similar. This article will document some of the many lessons I have learned from my experiences with hemorrhoids and fissures in the hope that they may help others with chronic pain and these problems in particular.
Some Background
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels lining the interior and exterior of the anus. Everyone has them, but they become a problem when they become overstressed, inflamed, swollen, and/or prolapsed (meaning the interior vessels emerge on the outside). An anal fissure is a tear in the anal passage. Both hemorrhoids and fissures can present symptoms varying from mild nuisance (itchy, uncomfortable) to extreme pain and…