Difference Between Piles, Fissures and Fistula

Piles Fissures And Fistula, three of them are related to the conditions of the anal area. This is the only common thing about them. People often consider them to be the same. But they all are different from each other. To know how they differ from each other read below points of them.

What is a Piles?

Piles, also known as Hemorrhoids, are swollen and inflamed veins. They are located in the anus and lower rectum. Just like varicose veins, plies can also cause discomfort and pain. There are two types of plies. Internal Piles or Hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and may not be visible or felt. External piles develop under the skin around the anus and can be painful and itchy.

What is Fissure?

An anal fissure is a tear or crack in the lining of the anal canal. It’s a common condition that can cause sharp pain and bleeding during bowel movements. Typically, anal fissures occur due to anal trauma, such as straining to pass hard stools.

What is Fistula?

An anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel that connects the inside of the anus and outside of the surrounding skin. This tunnel usually develops as a result of an infection in an anal gland, which leads to an abscess.

What are the symptomatic differences of Piles, Fissures And Fistula?

Symptoms of Piles

The symptoms of piles (hemorrhoids) vary depending on the types:

1. Internal Piles: Symptoms are often mild and may not appear until they prolapse. Common symptoms include:
2. Pain during bowel movements
3. Minor bleeding during bowel movements
4. External Piles: Symptoms are typically more noticeable and may include:
5. Itching and irritation around the anus
6. Bleeding
7. Swelling
8. Lumps or swelling near the anus
9. Pain in the anal area and surrounding skin

Symptoms of Fissure

The symptoms of fissure include:

• Sharp pain during bowel movements
• Burning or itching sensation during or after pooping
• Blood in your poop

Symptoms of Fistula

The symptoms of anal fistula include:

• Pain and swelling in the anal area
• Feeling feverish
• Feeling unwell or tired
• Anal discomfort like, soreness, redness or itching
• Pus discharge from the anal opening

What are the different causes of Piles, Fissures And Fistula?

Causes of Piles

Generally, the piles develop due to the pressure that creates on anal blood vessels. This can happen for many factors:

1. Pregnancy: As the fetus starts growing inside you, it puts pressure on your pelvic area.
2. Constipation: Excess straining during bowel movements creates pressure on the blood vessels.
3. Diarrhea: Because of diarrhea you may face frequent bowel movements and it creates pressure on anal veins.
4. Prolonged sitting: Prolonged sitting puts pressure on the anal veins. 
5. Aging: With age, you lose the strength of your anal veins and muscles.
6. Anal intercourse: Anal intercourse is dangerous for piles as it creates pressure on the anal veins.
7. Overweight: Excess body weight puts pressure on your rectal veins.
8. Hereditary factors: Hereditary factors can be another reason for piles.

Causes of Fissures

The causes of fissure include:

1. Large or hard stool Pass: It can cause a tear or crack in the anal lining. Also, it gives pressure and trauma to the anal area.
2. Constipation: Constipation and bowel movements lead to fissure.
3. Diarrhea: Like constipation, long-lasting diarrhea can also be a cause of fissure development.
4. Anal intercourse: The forceful penetration can lead to tears or cracks in the anal lining, causing a fissures.

Causes of Fistula

An anal fistula can form due to various underlying conditions:

1. Inflammatory Conditions: Certain conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and diverticulitis, can increase the risk.

• 2. Radiation Therapy: Previous radiation treatment can cause damage to the anal tissues.
• 3. Anal STIs: Sexually transmitteld infections, like gonorrhea or chlamydia, can lead to fistula development.
• 4. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: This chronic skin condition can cause anal fistulas.
• 6. Tuberculosis: TB infection can lead to fistula formation.
• 7. Surgical Complications: Previous anal surgeries increase the risk of developing an anal fistula.

What are the different treatment options for Piles, Fissures And Fistula?

Treatment of Piles

The treatment of piles includes:

1. Rubber band ligation: Placing a rubber band around your pile this process cuts off the blood supply. The plies shrink and fall after a few days.
2. Electrocoagulation: By inserting a probe into the location of the pile and giving a gentle current through the probe causing the pile to get shrink.
3. Infrared coagulation: Here an infrared light provides heat to the piles which causes scar tissue formation. It cuts off the supply of blood and the piles shrink.
4. Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is a procedure where the doctor inserts a chemical into your plies to destroy them.

Laser treatment include

• Hemorrhoidal Laser Procedure (With laser it targets the piles and shrinks them)
• Laser Hemorrhoidectomy (With laser it cuts the piles and removes them)
• Laser  Hemorrhoidoplasty (Laser beam targets the piles and cuts off the blood supply to piles)

Treatment of Fissure

Treatment options for fissures include:

1. Nitroglycerin (Rectiv): Applied externally to increase blood flow and promote healing.
2. Topical anesthetic creams (Lidocaine/Xylocaine): It gives relieve pain and discomfort.
3. OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox): Injected to paralyze the anal sphincter muscle and relax spasms.
4. Blood pressure medications (Nifedipine/Diltiazem): Relaxes the anal sphincter, available in topical or oral forms.
5. Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS):  It’s a minor surgical procedure that involves cutting a small part of the anal sphincter muscle. It leads to healing, reduces spasm and pain.

Treatment of Fistula

The treatment of fistula contains:

1. Fistulotomy: The surgeon cuts open the entire length of the fistula to flush out its contents.

2. Seton Techniques: A thread (seton) is left into the fistula tract. This method is considered for high-risk patients, as it minimizes the risk of incontinence when the fistula crosses the sphincter muscles.

3. Advancement Flap Procedure: This involves removing a tissue flap from the rectum or surrounding skin. The flap is then used to cover the fistula.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Piles, Fissures And Fistula same?

Answer: No, piles, fissure and fistula are not same. They are different conditions of anal are.

• What are the difference between Piles, Fissures And Fistula?

Answer: Generally, the piles develops due to the pressure that creates on anal blood vessels, an anal fissure is a tear or crack in the lining of the anal canal and An anal fistula, is an abnormal tunnel that connects the inside of the anus and outside of the surrounding skin due to an infection.