Piles, also called hemorrhoids, are swollen blood vessels around the anus, while fissures are small cuts and bruises in the anal line. Most people get confused between these two problems as they can't differentiate. Piles cause itching, while fissures cause extreme pain.
Have you ever felt blood or severe pain while using the washroom and you started worrying about the condition? There's no need to panic; it's just that your body needs attention and care.
Most people think that it is piles, but it could be an anal fissure; people often make this mistake of not differentiating between these, which can lead to wrong treatment and pain.
Piles and anal fissure are mostly the same and affect the same area, but are different in terms of pain, treatment, and their causes could be different as well.
In this blog, we have made things super clear; you will learn the difference between piles and fissures, their symptoms, causes, and when to consult a doctor.
What Are Piles?
Piles also known as hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum and anus. They result in discomfort or pain and can bleed, especially during bowel movement or just after. Piles are a very common problem encountered by one or two individuals during their lives.
There are two types of piles
Internal Piles: These are inside the rectum and are mostly painless, though they may bleed.
External Piles: These lie just under the skin around the anus and tend to be painful or itchy, and sometimes cause a lump that can be felt.
Some Common Reasons for Piles Might Be:
- Constipation and straining during bowel movement
- Sitting for long hours, especially on the toilet
- Pregnancy, with extreme pressure being exerted on the rectal veins
- A diet low in fiber and not enough water intake
- Being overweight or heavy lifting
Typical Symptoms Include:
- Itching or irritation in the anal region
- Bright-red blood while passing stools
- Swelling near the anus or a lump
- Pain or discomfort, especially while sitting
Both piles and anal fissures affect the same area. Piles arise due to swollen veins, whereas fissures are more likely to be small tears in the lining of the anus.
What are anal fissures?
Anal fissure is a small tear or crack in the anal lining, which is usually slimy and somewhat moist, too. It usually occurs because of trauma or injury to the anal canal, most often due to bowel movements.
This tear becomes agonizingly painful for a person while making a bowel movement as it exposes the muscles and nerves beneath it.
What Causes an Anal Fissure?
- The passage of hard, dry, or large stools
- With some irregularity of constipation or diarrhea
- Straining while passing stools
- Intercourse through the anus or labor
- Uncommonly, the cause of an anal fissure might be Crohn's.
Common Symptoms of Anal Fissure:
- An extremely sharp or burning sensation during and after a bowel movement
- Fresh red bleeding, which often stays on toilet paper or even a loose stool
- Itching or irritation down there
- A crack or tear can be observed near the anal opening
- Muscle spasms around the anus
Unlike piles, which are swollen veins, anal fissures are surface-level tears. Hence, they tend to be more different in set-up, whereas those tend to be comparatively less painful
and more complicated to diagnose. Commonly, piles and fissures are confused since they appear with similar symptoms; however, treatment methods differ.
Pile vs Fissure: What's the difference
It is easy to confuse piles with fissures due to the pain and bleeding associated with both. They differ, however, in both causative factors and treatment.
A simple table to illustrate the differences clearly for you:
Point of Difference | Piles (Hemorrhoids) | Fissure (Anal Tear) |
| What it is | Swollen blood vessels in or around the anus | A small cut or tear in the skin near the anal opening |
| Pain Level | Usually mild or just uncomfortable | Sharp, burning pain during and after passing stool |
| Bleeding | Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper | Also bright red, but often seen with intense pain |
| Common Causes | Straining, constipation, pregnancy, and long sitting | Hard stools, constipation, or passing large stools |
| Where it happens | Inside the rectum or just outside the anus | At the edge of the anal opening |
| Treatment approach | Can include creams, lifestyle changes, or laser surgery | Heals with care, but chronic cases may need medication or surgery |
| Recovery time | Varies – some resolve in days, others may take weeks | Often heals in 1–2 weeks with proper care |
Treatment Options for Piles and Fissures
The treatment for piles and fissures depends on the condition. Mild symptoms can be treated at home with home remedies, but severe pain and critical conditions can only be treated with medical advice.
Piles Treatment
Many mild cases of piles can be treated at home. You can cure it by just doing simple lifestyle changes like eating nutritional food, drinking water, and taking a sitz bath; this will give you comfort, and also for itching and swelling, you can use creams.
These are for mild cases, but if your bleeding and pain don't go away, then doctors may suggest a medical procedure.
Laser treatments treat you well in such cases. Laser treatment is gentle, doesn't involve cuts or stitches, and helps you recover faster with less pain.
Fissure Treatment
Mostly, anal fissure heals on its own; it just needs a little care. Hot water baths, nutritional food, and staying hydrated make your digestion good and less painful.
Doctors also prescribe ointments to make the area comfortable and help in the fast recovery.
It may need attention if it's coming back again or becomes too painful. In that case, treatments like Botox injections or surgery may be needed.
Many people now choose laser treatments for anal fissures in Gurgaon. It is quick, safe, and allows you to get back to normal life soon.
Conclusion
The solution for getting the right treatment is that you understand the difference between piles and anal fissures. Though problems such as pain and blood may seem to have similarities, they are two distinct conditions, and neglecting this may lead to complications.
For expert guidance, you may contact Dr. Vikram Aryan, the best laparoscopic surgeon in Gurgaon, who is appreciated for his skills as well as his approachable demeanor towards patients. Whether it is painless laser piles surgery or anal fissure surgery, he is the doctor to reach out to.
Seek help now. Book an appointment with Dr. Vikram Aryan. Taking the first step towards relief and recovery.
