Causes of Fissure in young adults
Primary Causes
1. Constipation & Hard Stools – Passing large, hard, or dry stools can overstretch and tear the anal lining.
2. Straining During Bowel Movements – Increases pressure in the anal canal and predisposes to fissures. Young adults having habit of taking cell phone to washroom and using it for long hours in position make the pressure build up in the anal area
3. Chronic Diarrhea – Frequent loose stools irritate and weaken the anal mucosa caused mainly due to junk food trans fat etc
4. Anal Trauma – From vigorous wiping, insertion of foreign objects, or rarely, anal intercourse which is mainly seen in gay couple nowadays
Secondary Causes / Risk Factors
1. Low fiber diet
2. Dehydration
3. Pregnancy in young women during child birth
4. IBD, chronic inflammations
5. Infection like TB, HIV and syphillis
Is lifestyle to blame ?
Lifestyle factors in young adults can directly or indirectly contribute to anal fissures by affecting bowel habits, stool consistency, and rectal health. Mainly due to poor diet habits, low water intake, irregular eating patterns, poor toilet habits, stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation and lack of physical activity
In short: low fiber diet + dehydration + prolonged sitting + poor toilet habits are the key lifestyle contributors.