Digestive health centre

You may be able to help your anal tear heal by taking some simple steps.

Fibre is food that isn't broken down by the body. It makes your stools more bulky. This usually makes them easier to pass. Foods high in fibre include:

• Wholegrain cereals

• Bread and pasta

• Root vegetables

• Nuts

• Fruit.

Adding fibre to your food may also prevent you getting more anal tears.^[7]

Drinking plenty of water and other drinks can stop you getting constipated. It also makes your stools softer and easier to pass.

Having water baths can help to ease the pain caused by the tear and to relax your anal muscle.^[3]

Ask your doctor if you should try laxatives.

Glossary

constipated

When you're constipated, you have difficulty passing stools (faeces). Your bowel movements may be dry and hard. You may have fewer bowel movements than usual, and it may be a strain when you try to go.

fibre

Fibre is all the parts of food that the body can't absorb. This is why foods that are high in fibre make you have more bowel movements. When your body can't absorb something, it leaves your body in your stools. Foods high in fibre include wholemeal bread and cereals, root vegetables and fruits.

laxative

Laxatives are medicines that empty your bowels by making you go to the toilet more often than usual.

For more terms related to Anal tears

Citations