Many people in India experience constipation and hard stools from time to time. Usually, it is considered a simple digestive issue and ignored. But what most people don’t realise is that persistent hard stools can injure the anal canal, leading to infections, abscess formation, and in severe cases, a fistula-in-ano. At Kaizen Fistula Care, Dr. Samrat Jankar—one of Pune’s leading Colorectal Surgeons—frequently treats patients who developed a fistula because of long-standing constipation and unhealed anal infections. Understanding how hard stools damage the anal area can prevent these painful complications. This blog explains how hard stools cause anal tears, infection, abscess, and finally fistula formation.
What Are Hard Stools? Why Do They Occur?
Hard stools happen when stool stays in the colon for too long. The body absorbs too much water, making the stool dry, hard, and difficult to pass.
Common causes include:
- Low fibre diet
- Low water intake
- Long sitting hours
- Ignoring the urge to pass stool
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Stress and irregular meals
- Excess tea/coffee
- Post-delivery changes in women
- Certain medications
Over time, these hard stools cause repeated strain and pressure on the anal canal.
How Hard Stools Damage the Anal Canal?
The anal canal is lined with delicate tissue and contains tiny glands that help in lubrication. Hard stools can cause:
- Micro-tears in the anal lining
- Repeated trauma during bowel movement
- Irritation and swelling
- Blockage of anal glands
- Poor blood supply to heal naturally
These injuries become the starting point for dangerous complications like abscess and fistula.
Step-by-Step: How Hard Stools Cause Infection, Abscess & Fistula?
Here is the exact sequence commonly seen at Kaizen Fistula Care:
1) Hard Stools Cause Anal Tears (Fissures): When passing hard stools, the inner skin around the anus may tear. This is called an anal fissure.
Symptoms:
- Sharp pain during stool
- Burning sensation
- Fresh bleeding
- Fear of going to toilet
A fissure acts like an open wound. If stool bacteria enter, the infection begins.
2) Infection Spreads to Anal Glands
The anal canal has several small glands. Hard stools can block them or push bacteria inside. Blocked glands = Infection Build-Up. Once bacteria enter the gland, they multiply and cause local swelling.
3) Infection Turns Into Anal Abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus under the skin or inside the anal canal.
Symptoms of Anal Abscess:
- Severe throbbing pain
- Swelling near anus
- Fever
- Redness
- Difficulty sitting
- Pain even without passing stool
Anal abscess is an emergency.
Dr. Samrat Jankar treats such cases frequently. If left untreated, the abscess bursts or drains on its own, leading to a deeper problem
4) The Abscess Creates a Tract → Fistula Formation
If an abscess does not heal completely, it forms a tunnel from inside the anus to the outer skin. This tunnel is called a fistula-in-ano.
Symptoms of Anal Fistula:
- Recurrent pus discharge
- Painful swelling near the anus
- Itching and irritation
- Smelly discharge
- Wetness in underwear
- Repeated infections
- A small opening around the anal skin
Once a fistula forms, it NEVER heals on its own.
Only a colorectal surgeon like Dr. Samrat Jankar can treat it with advanced fistula surgeries.
Why Hard Stools Make Fistula Worse?
Once a fistula is formed, hard stools continue to harm the area by:
- Reopening the internal wound
- Introducing new bacteria daily
- Slowing healing
- Increasing inflammation
- Creating new tracts (complex fistula)
Patients who delay treatment often end up developing:
- Multiple fistula tracts
- Horseshoe fistula
- High complex fistula involving muscles
- Anal stenosis (narrowed opening)
- Severe pain & infection
Early medical intervention is essential.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Fistula from Hard Stools?
Based on patient cases at Kaizen Fistula Care, the following individuals are at higher risk:
- People with chronic constipation
- Individuals with IBS-C
- Pregnant or postpartum women
- People with sedentary lifestyle
- Office workers with long sitting hours
- Those with repeated fissures
- Patients who delay treating abscess
If these conditions match you, early evaluation is recommended.
How to Prevent Hard-Stool–Related Anal Infections?
- Drink enough water (2.5–3 litres daily)
- Eat fibre-rich foods (salads, fruits, oats)
- Use stool softeners under doctor guidance
- Avoid straining or long washroom sitting
- Do not ignore the urge to pass stool
- Take warm sitz baths if pain or irritation begins
- Seek treatment early for fissures or pain
Prevention is always better than treating a complex fistula.
How Dr. Samrat Jankar Treats Fistula at Kaizen Fistula Care?
Dr. Samrat Jankar is known for his expertise in Advanced Fistula Management, offering:
- Laser Fistula Surgery: Minimal pain, faster recovery, and high success rate.
- VAAFT (Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment): A modern technique to treat complex fistula tracts from inside.
- FiLaC (Fistula Laser Closure): Targets only the tract without cutting muscles.
- LIFT Procedure: Ideal for complex fistula while preserving continence.
- Sphincter-Saving Surgeries: Protects anal muscles and prevents leakage.
- Treatment for Fissure + Fistula Combination Cases: Very common due to long-term hard stools.
Every treatment plan is customized based on MRI findings, fistula type, and patient comfort.
When Should You Visit Kaizen Fistula Care?
Seek immediate help if you experience:
- Severe pain during stool
- Lump or swelling near anus
- Pus discharge
- Fever with anal pain
- Repeated fissures
- History of abscess
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Opening near anal skin
Ignoring these signs can lead to more complex and painful conditions.
Conclusion:
Hard stools may seem harmless, but they can damage the anal canal, cause infections, lead to abscess formation, and eventually result in a painful anal fistula. Early diagnosis and specialised treatment from a colorectal expert like Dr. Samrat Jankar can prevent complications and ensure complete healing. At Kaizen Fistula Care, patients receive world-class evaluation and advanced fistula treatment options tailored to their condition.
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