Coping with discomfort in the anus is a dreadful experience, frequently causing people to inquire about prevalent conditions such as piles and fissures. Both conditions have pain and discomfort as common points, but there are not many other things in common. They differ in their nature, origins, symptoms, and treatments.
This article will review the main differences between piles (hemorrhoids) and fissures, providing the best picture to the patients to better understand their condition.
Understanding Piles (Hemorrhoids)
“Piles,” which is another name for hemorrhoids, is the swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus, leading to pain and bleeding. These veins can become more significant from the pressure of increasing blood in the lower rectum, leading to hemorrhoids forming. Chronic constipation, consuming spicy food, and sitting for a long time are the primary reasons for the development of piles.
There is a lot of pressure on the veins in the anal region; hence, blood vessels and other tissues become swollen. The vessels and veins getting enlarged in the patient may even cause the stool to become bloody. The disease is grouped into four grades based on the magnitude of the disease.
Piles are more broadly classified into internal and external hemorrhoids.
- Internal Hemorrhoids:
Hemorrhoids within the rectum (internal) are usually painless as they lack sensation nerves to affect them. Yet, they have other disturbing disorders, such as bleeding while passing stool, protrusion during straining, and a sensation of incomplete evacuation.
Internal hemorrhoids are additionally categorized according to their levels of severity in the earlier stages of disease progression, with the higher grades reflecting more prolapse and complications.
The symptoms of internal hemorrhoids include:
- Experiencing itching in the anal area
- Pain and irritation in the anus
- Stool leakage
- Swelling or lump inside the anal cavity
- Experiencing bloody stools occasionally because of a rupture
2. External Hemorrhoids:
External hemorrhoids form beneath the skin around the anus, which makes them painful and usually uncomfortable. They may feel like lumps around the anal opening that can cause itching, irritation, or even bleeding. External hemorrhoids can worsen when you strain during a bowel movement or sit for long periods.
Understanding Fissures
Anal fissures, in contrast, are tiny tears or cracks on the lining of the anus. The tears can result in pain and bleeding, making the condition very uncomfortable. Fissures occur frequently in certain situations, like constipation, trauma, or childbearing.
As opposed to hemorrhoids, fissures are superficial and only impact the lining of the anal canal. Depending on the severity of the condition, fissures can be of two types:
- Acute Fissures:
Acute fissures are easy to treat since they are newly formed. People might as well promote the natural mechanism of these cracks’ healing with their simple home remedies. In the absence of treatment, they can show as chronic fissures in the future.
2. Chronic Fissures
These are fissures beyond 8–12 weeks; one needs medical help to heal them. In addition to the anal tear, chronic fistulas also include inflammations of the surrounding skin, such as the skin tag, and abnormal tissue growth (hypertrophied papilla).
Symptoms of Fissure
Typically, anal fissures represent a crushing pain in the lower part. However, other fissure symptoms that you may experience are:
- During defecating, experiencing occasional bleeding
- Anus tightening followed by an intense spasm
- Smelly discharge that has a mucus appearance
- Pus filled with painful boils
Piles vs. . Fissures: Understanding the Differences Between Nature and Location
The main difference between piles and fissures is their nature and location. Piles are enlarged veins in the rectum and anus, while fissures are small tears or cracks in the lining of the anus.
Further, piles can be internal or external, with internal piles being in the rectum and external piles forming beneath the skin around the anus. Fissures are usually not deep but affect the surface of the anal canal, are painful from the beginning, and there is a light tear on the anal region.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of piles and fissures may be similar, but a few features can help determine the symptoms’ specific cause. Many times, piles are accompanied by symptoms of bleeding during defecation or straining, the protrusion of stool, and a feeling of being incomplete despite the defecation. Yet, anal fissures cause harsh pain and bleeding during bowel movements, along with itching and irritation of the anal region.
Pain Level:
While these conditions may produce discomfort, the severity and type of pain can differ. Piles (especially the external ones) produce discomfort and aches around the anus, especially when you are sitting or standing.
Internal hemorrhoids typically aren’t painful, but there can be pressure, discomfort, and a sensation of fullness. Anal fissures mainly produce sharp and intense pain during bowel movements, which can last for a variable duration.
Causes:
Piles generally develop due to increased pressure on the lower part of the rectum. It happens due to strain during bowel movements, obesity, or pregnancy. However, fissures occur due to conditions that may cause anal lining tearing, such as constipation, using too much force during childbirth, or the stressful passage of large and hard stools.
Treatment Approaches:
The treatment approaches for the piles and fissures are distinct from mild to severe conditions and the nature of the disease. Conservative measures ranging from diet modification, increased fiber consumption, and topical treatments can be helpful in both situations.
For piles, doctors may advise medical treatments like rubber band ligation and surgical procedures in more severe cases. Anal fissures may improve with the application of topical medications, dietary modifications, and warm baths, but for those who don’t get better, surgery might be necessary.
Things to Avoid During Piles and Fissures When experiencing piles or fissures, avoid the following:
- Spicy and fried food
- No consumption of caffeinated beverages
- No drinking alcohol
Preventing Piles and Fissures
Preventing piles and fissures is easy by including the following things
- Consuming high-fiber foods
- Drinking plenty of water
- Physical activity, or yoga
- No sitting for long hours on the toilet.
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Conclusion
It is important to note that piles and fissures are different. Further, you can understand what you are encountering by the symptoms, nature, and location. It is advisable to take prompt action to treat the condition, and if the situation gets worse, visit a doctor.
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