What symptoms suggest piles?
Internal piles commonly bleed without severe pain. Blood is usually bright red and may be seen on tissue, on the surface of stool, or in the toilet. Some patients also notice itching, moisture, or tissue that comes out while passing stool.
External piles can be painful when a clot forms, so pain does not completely rule piles in or out.
What symptoms suggest an anal fissure?
A fissure is a tear in the anal lining. Its typical symptom is a sharp, cutting or burning pain during a bowel movement, followed by discomfort that can last from minutes to hours.
A small amount of fresh blood may appear, but pain is usually the symptom patients remember most clearly.
Can piles and fissure happen together?
Yes. Constipation and straining can contribute to both conditions, and a person may have piles and a fissure at the same time. This is one reason treatment based only on a symptom description can miss part of the problem.
When should you arrange an examination?
Arrange an assessment when pain or bleeding persists, returns repeatedly, or affects your normal bowel habit.
- Bleeding lasting more than a few days
- Pain that makes you delay or avoid passing stool
- A lump that remains outside or becomes very painful
- Discharge, fever, increasing swelling, weight loss or weakness
Frequently asked questions
This article is general health information and does not replace a clinical examination. Please consult a doctor about your own symptoms.
