Piles vs Fissures Key Differences, Causes & Symptoms Explained by
Dr. Jenit Gandhi
Many people neglect their gut and digestive health until painful symptoms appear. Irregular eating habits, low-fiber diets, and chronic constipation silently harm the digestive system, yet often go unnoticed or untreated. Piles and fissures are two common anal conditions that people frequently confuse. They have different causes, symptoms, and treatments, but are surrounded by myths and misinformation. Delaying proper care can worsen the discomfort and lead to complications. In this blog, Dr. Jenit, one of the best gastro surgeons in Ahmedabad, India, clearly explains how these conditions develop and how they can be treated, using simple language that anyone can understand.
What Are Piles (Hemorrhoids)?
Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum or around the anus. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus).
Types of Hemorrhoids:
- Internal Hemorrhoids: Develop inside the rectum. Usually painless, but may cause bleeding during bowel movements.
- External Hemorrhoids: Form under the skin around the anus. These can be painful, especially if a blood clot forms (called a thrombosed hemorrhoid).
Common Causes of Hemorrhoids (Piles):
- Chronic constipation or straining during stool
- Sitting too long, especially on the toilet
- Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth
- Obesity and lack of physical activity
- A low-fibre diet leads to hard stools
- Chronic diarrhea or irregular bowel habits
- Heavy lifting or intense gym workouts
- Aging and weakening of the anal vein walls
- Genetics or family history of hemorrhoids
Symptoms:
- Bright red blood on toilet paper or in stool
- Itching or irritation around the anus
- Pain or discomfort (more common with external piles)
- Swelling or a lump near the anus
- Fecal leakage (in severe or chronic cases)
What Are Anal Fissures?
An anal fissure is a small tear or cut in the lining of the anal canal, usually caused by trauma during bowel movements.
Types of Fissures:
- Acute Fissures: Fresh tears that often heal on their own within a few weeks.
- Chronic Fissures: Persist for more than 8–12 weeks and may lead to a visible skin tag (sentinel pile) or exposure of the internal sphincter muscle.
Common Causes of Anal Fissures:
- Passing hard, large, or dry stools
- Chronic constipation
- Repeated episodes of diarrhea
- Straining during bowel movements
- Anal trauma (e.g., during childbirth or anal intercourse)
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn’s disease)
- Reduced blood flow to the anal area (especially in the elderly)
- Tight anal sphincter muscles
- Sedentary lifestyle and poor hydration
Symptoms:
- Sharp, burning, or stinging pain during and after bowel movements (may last for hours)
- Bright red blood on stool or toilet paper
- Visible tear or cut around the anus
- Itching or discomfort
- A small skin tag near the fissure (in chronic cases)
Key Differences Between Piles and Fissures
|
|
Piles
|
Fissure
|
|---|---|---|
|
Nature
|
Swollen veins in or around the anus
|
A small tear or cut in the anal lining
|
|
Usually painless or mildly uncomfortable
|
Sharp, burning pain during or after bowel movement
|
|
|
Bleeding
|
Bright red blood, often painless
|
|
|
Lump
|
May cause a visible or palpable lump near the anus
|
No lump, but may have a small skin tag (in chronic cases)
|
|
Healing
|
May come and go without treatment
|
Can heal naturally, but may become chronic if untreated
|
|
Cause
|
Due to pressure and swelling in the rectal veins
|
Caused by trauma from hard or large stools
|
Root Causes of Piles and Fissures
- Constipation and hard stools
- Straining while passing stool
- Low-fiber diet
- Not drinking enough water.
- Sitting too long or doing no physical activity
- Pregnancy and delivery pressure
- Being overweight or obese
- Lifting heavy weights the wrong way
Piles vs Fissures: Facts You Should Know
|
Myths
|
Truth
|
|---|---|
|
Piles and fissures are the same thing.
|
They are entirely different conditions with unique causes and treatments
|
|
Only elderly people get piles or fissures.
|
Young adults often suffer due to diet, stress, and poor bowel habits
|
|
Spicy food directly causes piles or fissures.
|
|
|
Creams and ointments cure piles and fissures permanently.
|
They offer temporary relief; long-term or severe cases may need advanced treatments like laser surgery
|
|
Surgery is the only option for treatment.
|
Early-stage conditions can be managed with lifestyle changes, diet, and non-surgical options
|
|
It’s too embarrassing to talk about piles or fissures.
|
These are medical conditions, and early consultation prevents complications
|
Root Causes of Piles and Fissures
- Constipation and hard stools
- Straining while passing stool
- Low-fiber diet
- Not drinking enough water.
- Sitting too long or doing no physical activity
- Pregnancy and delivery pressure
- Being overweight or obese
- Lifting heavy weights the wrong way
Modern Treatment Options by Dr. Jenit
For Piles:
- Diet & Lifestyle correction
- Ointments & oral medication
- Laser Piles Surgery: Quick, bloodless, painless recovery
- Rubber band ligation (for internal piles)
- Surgical hemorrhoidectomy (in advanced cases)
For Fissures:
- Topical creams (nitroglycerin, lidocaine)
- Warm sitz baths
- Botox injections (to relax muscles)
- LIS Surgery (Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy) for chronic fissures
- Laser treatment (available in select cases)
Don’t Wait for the Pain to Get Worse
If you’re experiencing bleeding, pain, or discomfort while passing stool, don’t ignore it. Early diagnosis makes treatment simpler and recovery faster. Suffering silently helps no one. Let’s treat the root cause and not just the symptoms. Dr. Jenit, the best gastro surgeon in Ahmedabad, India, offers safe, advanced treatments like laser surgery for piles and fissures with a patient-first approach.
Book your consultation today and take the first step towards a pain-free, healthier life. Your comfort matters. Let’s treat the cause, not just the symptoms.