Seeing bright red blood in your stool can be alarming, but it is highly common. What’s more, it’s usually not a sign of a serious problem. That doesn’t mean you can or should ignore rectal bleeding.

Listen, you don't have to admit that you do it, but looking at the toilet paper after you poop every once in a while is pretty damn essential to your health. Most of the time, you're going to see what ...

In many cases, anal fissures can heal fast with the help of nonsurgical treatments, such as dietary changes, over-the-counter stool softeners, and topical creams. However, they may recur if the ...

The gold-standard treatment for patients with chronic anal fissure (CAF) is lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS). Few studies have assessed the impact of this procedure with regard to quality of life ...

The anus is that part of the intestinal tract that passes through the muscular canal of the pelvis and anal sphincters. It is the final orifice through which stool passes out of the body. In adults, ...

Treating an anal fissure typically involves practices that help the area heal, like using a sitz bath or taking stool softeners. Other times a doctor may recommend medication or a medical procedure.

Editor's Note: This article is made possible through a sponsored content partnership with New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Dr. Sarah Scott Fox and Dr. Joseph M. Payne recently joined NHRMC ...