Anal Fissures or Something Worse?!
Question: Hi. When I was 6, back in 1995 right after my father died I developed and was diagnosed with anal fissures. These cleared up soon but growing up I always had some minor problems with bowel movements, mostly after I hit age 10 I'd say. In 2005 I remember I started seeing bright red blood in my stools, went to the Doctor and was given a brief rectal exam which concluded I indeed just had fissures again. I was told to start taking non-laxative stool softeners and stay away from potentially hazardous foods like chips and nuts that may scrape the lining of my rectum.
I followed this regimen for some time, slowly taking up a few potato chips or cashews here and there, and the problem quickly faded. It's been 2 years now since it was I think Dec. of '05 this occurred, but I'm 19 now and AGAIN am noticing bright red blood in my stools. I discontinued use of the stool softeners a few months ago but have had no problems, but I have been eating nuts religiously lately - cashews.
Answers: Hi. When I was 6, back in 1995 right after my father died I developed and was diagnosed with anal fissures. These cleared up soon but growing up I always had some minor problems with bowel movements, mostly after I hit age 10 I'd say. In 2005 I remember I started seeing bright red blood in my stools, went to the Doctor and was given a brief rectal exam which concluded I indeed just had fissures again. I was told to start taking non-laxative stool softeners and stay away from potentially hazardous foods like chips and nuts that may scrape the lining of my rectum.
I followed this regimen for some time, slowly taking up a few potato chips or cashews here and there, and the problem quickly faded. It's been 2 years now since it was I think Dec. of '05 this occurred, but I'm 19 now and AGAIN am noticing bright red blood in my stools. I discontinued use of the stool softeners a few months ago but have had no problems, but I have been eating nuts religiously lately - cashews.
Not much to worry about if the blood you are seeing is bright red. If the blood turns a purpleish color or black then its definately not fissures, but further up inside the digestive tract. If you start to pour out blood from your anus that is an emergency. It sounds to me like you answered your own question. You have been eating nuts and you stopped your stool softeners. That is what is causing your fissures again. Listen to your doctor. It sounds like what he told you to do was working.
Make sure you remember to drink plenty of water every day.