Constipation is often ignored as a minor digestive issue. Many people live with hard stools, straining, and discomfort for months or even years without seeking medical help. What most patients do not realise is that chronic constipation slowly damages the anal canal, leading to painful and serious conditions like fissures, piles, anal abscess, and fistula-in-ano. At Kaizen Fistula Care, a dedicated centre for fistula treatment in Pune, Dr. Samrat Jankar frequently treats patients whose problems started with long-standing constipation. Understanding how constipation harms the anal canal can help prevent long-term complications and avoid surgery. This blog explains how chronic constipation damages the anal area step by step and why early treatment is important.
What Is Chronic Constipation?
Constipation becomes chronic when it lasts for more than 3–4 weeks and includes:
- Hard, dry stools
- Excessive straining during bowel movements
- Feeling of incomplete evacuation
- Less than 3 bowel movements per week
- Pain or discomfort while passing stools
- Dependence on laxatives
Chronic constipation puts repeated pressure on the anal canal every single day.
Why the Anal Canal Is Vulnerable?
The anal canal is a short but delicate passage surrounded by sensitive skin, muscles, and small glands. It is designed to stretch and relax smoothly during bowel movements. When stools are soft, the canal remains healthy. When stools are hard and bulky, the anal canal is forced to stretch unnaturally, leading to injury.
How Chronic Constipation Damages the Anal Canal?
1. Repeated Straining Causes Micro-Injuries:
Hard stools scrape the inner lining of the anal canal.
Over time, this causes:
- Small cuts (micro-tears)
- Inflammation
- Pain during bowel movement
These tiny injuries may not heal properly because the area is re-injured daily.
2. Anal Fissures Develop:
When micro-tears deepen, they form anal fissures.
Common symptoms:
- Sharp pain while passing stools
- Burning sensation
- Fresh blood on toilet paper
- Fear of going to the toilet
According to Dr. Samrat Jankar, fissures are one of the earliest signs that constipation is damaging the anal canal. If fissures are ignored, they become chronic and difficult to heal.
3. Poor Blood Supply Slows Healing:
Constipation causes the anal muscles to go into spasm.
This reduces blood flow to the area, which leads to:
- Delayed healing
- Persistent pain
- Worsening of fissures
4. Anal Glands Get Blocked and Infected:
The anal canal contains small glands that help lubricate the passage. Hard stools and repeated trauma can block these glands. Blocked glands allow bacteria to multiply, leading to infection. This is the starting point of more serious problems.
5. Infection Turns into Anal Abscess:
An untreated gland infection forms a pus-filled pocket, known as an anal abscess. At Kaizen Fistula Care, Dr. Samrat Jankar sees many abscess cases that started with untreated constipation and fissures.
6. Abscess Leads to Fistula Formation:
If an abscess is not completely treated, it creates an abnormal tunnel between the anal canal and the skin. This tunnel is called a fistula-in-ano.
Signs of fistula:
- Recurrent pus discharge
- Pain and swelling near anus
- Itching and foul smell
- A small opening near the anal skin
- Repeated infections
Once a fistula forms, it does not heal on its own. Surgical treatment by a specialist colorectal surgeon is required.
7. Chronic Constipation Makes Fistula More Complex:
Continued hard stools after fistula formation cause:
- Re-infection of the tract
- Development of multiple branches
- Involvement of anal muscles
- Complex or recurrent fistula
Delayed treatment increases surgical complexity and recovery time.
Other Long-Term Anal Damage from Constipation:
Chronic constipation can also cause:
- Piles (hemorrhoids) due to constant pressure
- Rectal prolapse from prolonged straining
- Anal stenosis (narrowing of anal canal)
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Loss of quality of life and mental stress
Who Is at High Risk?
How Dr. Samrat Jankar Helps at Kaizen Fistula Care?
Dr. Samrat Jankar is a trusted Colorectal & Fistula Specialist in Pune, known for treating complex and recurrent fistula cases.
At Kaizen Fistula Care, patients receive:
- Accurate diagnosis with clinical exam & MRI
- Treatment of fissure, abscess & fistula under one roof
- Advanced procedures like:
- Sphincter-saving techniques to protect bowel control
- Constipation control to prevent recurrence
The focus is not just treatment, but long-term prevention.
Conclusion:
Chronic constipation is not harmless. Over time, it damages the anal canal, causes fissures, infections, abscess, and eventually leads to fistula-in-ano. Recognising early symptoms and seeking timely expert care can save patients from painful complications and complex surgeries.
At Kaizen Fistula Care, Dr. Samrat Jankar provides specialised, advanced, and compassionate care for patients suffering from constipation-related anal diseases.
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