Anal fissure is an extremely painful condition where a small cut or tear in the anal lining occurs after straining while trying to pass hard stools. The symptoms include intense pain and burning sensation during and after passing stools other than rectal bleeding. Anal fissures are very commonly confused with piles or hemorrhoids since both cause rectal bleeding. However they are two different problems that commonly afflict people. Piles or hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anus or rectum and the hemorrhoidal veins can get swollen and cause either external or internal piles due to which it can cause