Piles / Fissure / Fistula Treatment

The conditions affecting the anal region are termed ‘anorectal conditions’. Piles, fissures and fistulas are three of the most common anorectal disorders, which affect the same region but are different in nature and have varied causes and treatment options. Let’s have a look.

• Piles: Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are swollen blood vessels which can occur inside and can also protrude outside through the anus. 

  Symptoms include pain, swelling, itchiness and redness in the affected area. It can be caused by chronic constipation, prolonged sitting, eating a low-calorie diet, and excessive straining during bowel movements.
  

• Fissure: An anal fissure is a condition in which there is a small tear or crack in the lining of the anus, occurring just at the opening of the anal canal. Fissures can lead to pain and bleeding during or after bowel movements. 

  It can be caused by passing large or hard stools, which leads to excessive pain after bowel movements with bleeding.

• Fistula: An anal fistula An anal fistula is basically an abnormal tunnel-like passage which develops between the inside of the anal canal and the skin surrounding the anus. It occurs when there is any infection in the anal glands, which leads to the formation of an abscess (a collection of pus). When the abscess drains, either on its own or through a surgical procedure, a small tract may remain between the infected gland and the skin. This persistent tract is known as an anal fistula. It can lead to chronic pain around the anus, foul-smelling drainage, bloody discharge, and redness and swelling around the opening of the anal canal.