Many people have been facing problems related to defecation for a long time. One can feel the difference when struggling between piles, fissures and fistula. All the three conditions affect the area effectively leading to pain, bleeding and irritation. In today’s blog, we will know the main difference between these problems and help in understanding how to identify and prevent them effectively. 

What is piles, its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Piles are swollen blood vessels in the rectum and anus caused by increased pressure in the lower rectal area. It can occur both internally and externally. 

Causes

• Due to chronic constipation and bowel movements.
• Sitting on the toilet for a long time.
• Pregnancy Due to excessive pressure on the pelvic nerves.
• Obesity and lack of physical activity.
• Lack of fiber diet due to which the stool becomes hard.

Symptoms

• Bright blood during or after passing stools.
• Burning and itching in the anal area.
• Pain and discomfort while sitting, swelling and lumps around the anus.

Treatment

• Eating a high-fibre diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly. 
• In more serious cases, piles may need to be removed surgically.

What is Anal Fissures, its causes, symptoms and treatment.

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus that is usually caused by trauma from passing hard stools or straining. 

Causes 

• Constipation or diarrhoea over a long period of time. 
• Passing a large, hard stool.
• Childbirth (due to excessive strain)
• Anal intercourse or injury

Symptoms 

• A burning sensation and pain during and after passing stools.
• Clear blood on the stool or on the toilet paper.
• An obvious tear in the anal area. A small lump near the crack. 

Treatment 

• Home remedies:- Take sitz baths(warm water therapy), eat a fiber-rich diet and keep yourself hydrated. 
• Medication:- Topical anesthetics like nitroglycerin ointment and botox injections can be taken. 
• Surgery:- If the case is chronic, a Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) may be required.

What is Anal Fistula, its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel-like connection formed between the anal canal and the surrounding skin. It has been seen that this develops due to an abscess.

Causes 

• Untreated and recurrent anal abscesses
• Crohn’s disease or another inflammatory bowel disease
• Radiation therapy to the urethral area / anal region.

Symptoms 

• Persistent pain and swelling around the anus. 
• Pus or blood discharge in the area near the anus. 
• Fever and fatigue. 
• Skin irritation and foul-smelling discharge.

Treatments 

• Medication:- Taking antibiotics to prevent or control infection.
• Surgery:- Fistulectomy, fistulotomy or seton placement is often needed to achieve permanent relief.

Key Differences Between Piles, Fissures, and Fistula

When to see a doctor and start treatment?

If you are facing persistent anal pain, excessive bleeding or difficulty in defecation, then you can adopt home remedies for a few days. If there is no effect and relief from all these, then it would be the right decision to meet a doctor. If pus comes out around the anus, you experience fever or there is swelling, then you can consult a doctor. Because this may indicates infection or anal fistula. Constipation for a long time, recurrent cracks or large painful piles also require professional evaluation. If the treatment is delayed, then complications may arise, which can may complicate treatment & prolong recovery. If all these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or worsen over time, then book a consultation with a proctologist or colorectal specialist for the right treatment.

What are the benefits of getting the right treatment?

• With the right treatment, the discomfort, itching, and swelling subsides completely. 
• Timely intervention helps prevent the condition from becoming more infectious and chronic. 
• With the guidance of a doctor and the right medication, recovery is quick. 
• Mild cases can mostly be prevented with lifestyle changes and non-invasive treatments. 
• The correct treatment helps prevent future attacks and complications.

Conclusion

It is important to understand the difference between piles, fissure, and fistula and get the proper treatment for them. Piles are essentially swollen veins, fissures act like a tear in the anus and fistula forms an infected tunnel between the anal canal and the skin. With the help of early diagnosis and right treatment, these complications can be prevented and your life can be comfortable. If you want a complete solution to these symptoms, consult the experts at Tieten Medicity and get the right treatment.