How Does Alcohol Consumption Affect Fissures?

Managing the cracks is very uncomfortable and painful and when alcohol is involved it makes it worse. Despite the fact that most people are aware that some of the habits can influence general health, the role of alcohol in anal fissures is not well-discussed. In case you experience fissures or wish to prevent them, you should know how alcohol can contribute to the formation and worsening of these severe sore tears.

In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into the link between alcohol and fissures looking at how alcohol impacts on your body, digestion and the healing process of these long-standing problems.

Understanding Fissures: What Are They?

An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin around the anus that may result from trauma while passing stool. They can lead to severe pain, bleeding and discomfort particularly when defecating. The tears are usually observed when the stool is large or hard and hence overstretching the skin.

Some of the symptoms include: passing stool with pain, pain after passing stool, itching around the anus and passing blood either in the toilet or on the toilet paper. Fissures are another type of ulcer that can heal if treated appropriately but if the treatment is inadequate they become chronic and this is where lifestyle factors, such as alcohol, come into the picture.

The Impact of Alcohol on the Body

Although alcohol is sometimes taken in small portions, it has multiple adverse effects on the body, depending on the amount taken. For those with fissures, alcohol has other effects that slow the healing process and increase the pain of the condition.

Alcohol is taken in the bloodstream once a person drinks and it impacts nearly all the organs in the body. Unfortunately, one of the most serious consequences is that people become dehydrated. Alcohol also causes the production of more urine and thus a loss of fluids in the body, it is a diuretic. This is especially so because many digestive problems such as constipation are precipitated by dehydration and the latter can further exacerbate fissures.

Alcohol’s Effects on Digestion and Gut Health

In many ways alcohol can interfere with the digestion process. This substance inflames the GI tract and makes it difficult for the body to digest food as it should. This can lead to the production of stomach acid, bloating, and discomfort, especially to clients with sensitive stomachs.

Alcohol also disrupts the gut microbiota balance (the good bacteria in your stomach). These bacteria are most important in the digestion of food and in proper bowel habits. When alcohol interferes with this balance it causes digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation both of which worsen anal fissures.

How Alcohol Exacerbates Fissures

Even when it comes to digestion, alcohol is not friendly and to make it worse, it has a direct impact to anal fissures. Alcohol is known to worsen fissures in a number of ways, but one of the main ways is by weakening the muscles which are found around the anus, commonly referred to as the anal sphincter. This makes the bowel movements to be tricky and this leads to the act of straining.

Constipation is a leading cause of fissures, and alcohol weakens the muscles that control bowel movements, making it difficult not to push during a bowel movement, which can lead to more tearing of the skin. This creates a vicious cycle: the fissures are painful, and hence, when the patient tries to strain more, the fissures become worse.

Alcohol and Constipation

One of the leading causes of anal fissures is constipation and alcohol is known to have a big impact on this. As noted before, alcohol is a diuretic and as such, causes the body to lose water. When you do not drink enough water, your feces become dry and you exert more pressure when passing them, which can cause problems with your anus.

Alcohol has an adverse effect on the digestive system and therefore for those who have a problem of constipation, alcohol worsens the situation. The result? Bigger and firmer faeces that may damage the mucous membrane around the anus and thus cause or worsen fissures. Dehydration and constipation are two of the most common causes of fissures and when the two occur together, they form a very dangerous combination.

Alcohol and Inflammation

Swelling is a common reaction by the body to injury and while it may be normal for fissures, it may be counterproductive to the healing process. Alcohol is known to increase inflammation in the body, and this includes the surrounding tissues of the anus. Excessive ethanol use may delay the healing process and since the inflammation is prolonged, the fissures do not heal well.

Apart from the irritation of the tissues, alcohol has adverse effects on the immune system by making the body susceptible to infections. If an anal fissure becomes infected, the healing process will be longer, and the pain will increase. This is another reason why people suffering from anal fissures need to minimize their alcohol intake.

Risk Factors: Who Is More Affected by Alcohol Consumption?

Although alcohol can make fissures worse for anybody, some people are more vulnerable than others. If you have had IBS or IBD or other problems that can cause irregular bowel movement then you are most likely to develop fissures. In this case, alcohol can worsen these conditions, and it becomes difficult to treat the fissures.

Age can also play a role. Senior people have a slow digestion process and may be having some problems such as constipation. Alcohol use only aggravates these issues, increasing the likelihood that they will develop or encounter recurrent cracks.

Managing Fissures with Alcohol Consumption

If you're dealing with anal fissures and find that alcohol is exacerbating your symptoms, there are a few strategies you can use to manage both your condition and your alcohol intake:

Limit Alcohol Consumption: Cutting down or stopping alcohol can also help your digestive system and minimize further inflammation or lack of water. Moderation is key.
Stay Hydrated: Alcohol also has a dehydrating effect on the body, therefore drinking much water is recommended. Drinking fluids will also assist in softening of feces and ease in passing of stools.
Dietary Adjustments: Consuming adequate fiber in the body is essential for proper bowel movement and to avoid constipation. Just adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can go a long way in improving things.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: In case, you realize that your fissures are not recovering or you actually notice that they are worsening, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They can give specific advice and management, which might involve dietary and lifestyle alterations or use of drugs.

Alcohol can greatly influence the formation and treatment of the anal fissures. The alcohol impacts on the digestive system by dehydrating the body, causing constipation or increasing inflammation, all of which can complicate the healing of fissures. If you are having problems with fissures, cutting down on alcohol and ensuring that you take enough water, and the right kind of food and getting the right medical attention are some of the best things you can do for yourself.

If it is dealing with recurrent or chronic anal fissures, do not wait for the pain to increase further. We provide quality treatment for diseases such as anal fissures in GEM Hospital and we shall help you to deal with the symptoms.

Get your appointment today and change your life for the better and achieve your optimal health status.