Conditions Similar To Hemorrhoids And How To Recognize Them
Hemorrhoid is a condition characterized by swelling of the nerves around the anus and they are often accompanied by symptoms like itching, burning, pain, and inflammation. Hemorrhoids can be cured by using over the counter hemorrhoid medications like a hemorrhoid cream or a hemorrhoid suppository.
Hemorrhoid is a common problem occurring in the rectal region but there are several other problems similar to hemorrhoids that occur in the area between the rectum and the anus. While hemorrhoids are well known by people, other conditions are not so well known. Here are some other problems that occur in the anal region that is often confused with hemorrhoids.
- Anal Fissures
An anal fissure is a cut or tear occurring in the anal lining and is often caused by constipation and difficult stool movements. When you have a hard or dry bowel movement, sometimes it causes the tissues in your anal region to break down resulting in an anal fissure. Anal fissures can also occur due to a severe bout of diarrhea as well as inflammation.
Anal fissures can be quite painful during or right after a bowel movement and might also result in bleeding. This is because the anal canal is ringed with nerves and muscles that regulate the passage of stool and also keeps the anus tightly closed. During bowel movements, these muscles expand causing the fissure to stretch and tear further.
Symptoms
- Pain during or immediately after a bowel movement.- A visible tear near the anal region.
- Bright red blood after passing stool.
- A skin tag or lump near the anal fissures.
- Itching in the anal region
Diagnosis
A simple visual examination of the tissues of the rectal region usually is enough to diagnose anal fissures.
Treatment
Anal fissure treatment includes non-surgical procedures, although it may take some time to heal the fissures.
Anal fissures can be treated with the application of topical products like an anorectal cream.
- Stool softeners
Anal fissures are often caused by constipation, so keeping the stool soft can help cure the fissures quickly. Take a fiber-rich diet to soften the stools as fiber is a natural stool softener. Drink plenty of water and you can also opt for ingesting psyllium husk until the anal fissure subsides.
A sitz bath can also offer a certain amount of relief from the discomfort caused by anal fissures.
- Anal Fistula
Anal fistulas are a series of tube-like passages between the skin of the anus and the inner rectum. If this condition is left untreated, a single inflamed tract can turn into a complex anal fistula with multiple openings.
The symptoms of anal fistulas and hemorrhoids are pretty similar and thus people can confuse this condition for hemorrhoids.
Symptoms
- Regular anal abscesses- Bleeding during bowel movement
- Irritation in the skin around the anus
- Pain and inflammation near the anus
- Pain during bowel movements
- Fever and chills
Diagnosis
Anal Fistula is usually diagnosed with an anoscopy, where the physician inserts an anoscope inside the rectal region to get the visual inside the rectum. In some cases, the doctor may also suggest an ultrasound or an MRI.
Treatment
- Fistulotomy
It is a surgical procedure to treat anal fistulas. This is not a complex procedure and takes about an hour. The physician may even operate using local anesthesia.
In this process, the fistula is covered with a flap or a tissue, which is taken from the rectal area.
This procedure includes the skin above the fistula to be opened up and then the sphincter muscle is spread apart and the fistula is then tied off.
- Anal spasms
The anal canal comprises a series of muscles that are designed to remove waste from your body and like any other muscle in your body, these muscles can sometimes experience extreme contraction, which can cause a significant amount of pain.
Symptoms
- Muscles spasms in and around the rectal area that can last up to 30 minutes.Diagnosis
A simple visual examination is often enough to diagnose this condition.Treatment
- Pain mitigating ointments- Botox
- Massage of the levator ani muscles.
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