What is the difference between anal sinusitis and hemorrhoids?

Anal sinusitis and hemorrhoids are both anorectal diseases. Hemorrhoids are divided into external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids. Sinusitis is a disease that develops inside the anus. Many times people always ignore it. So what is the difference between the two?

The first symptoms will be different:

1. Symptoms of anal sinusitis

1. Tenesmus and a feeling of heavy bowel movements in the anus, as if you have the urge to defecate, but you cannot defecate or you pass very little stool when you go to the toilet.

2. Pain: Discomfort and dull pain in the anus, which worsens during bowel movements.

3. The stool may contain a small amount of mucus and blood.

4. When the anal nipple is enlarged, it may protrude from the anus.

5. Digital anal examination can check sphincter tension and tenderness of anal sinuses and anal papillae.

6. Anoscopy is used to check for congestion, redness and swelling of the anal sinuses and anal papillae.

2. Symptoms of hemorrhoids

(1) Blood in stool: It may occur before or after defecation. The blood is bright red and does not mix with the stool. The amount of bleeding may be large or small.

(2) Anorectal pain: Since the anus is rich in nerves and sensitive, it is easy to experience mild or severe pain after being stimulated. It may manifest as tingling, distending pain, burning pain, or heaviness, which may occur during or after defecation.

(3) Anorectal distension: It is a symptom caused by local stimulation of rectal lesions. In mild cases, only local distension and heaviness are seen; in severe cases, there is tenesmus and heaviness in the abdomen, with frequent visits to the toilet, and the heaviness remains after defecation, which is very painful.

(4) Anal prolapse: It refers to protrusions or growths in the rectum or anal canal that protrude through the anus. In mild cases, it only protrudes out of the anus during defecation. In severe cases, it can protrude when abdominal pressure increases, such as by coughing, squatting, or exerting force.

(5) Anal discharge: It can overflow from the fistula, be discharged from the anus, or overflow from the skin around the anus.

(6) Anal itching: It is mostly caused by irritation of the anus and surrounding skin.