Eat – Work – Sleep – Excrete – Repeat.

While the ‘excrete’ bit of it might look a bit unconventional in this series, yet, that’s how your daily routine is actually, if you think about it. All the activities mentioned are essential to your functioning and the first four are things you talk about very proudly. But, when it comes to bowel movements, there are way too many overpowering emotions to let you speak up.

The first associated emotion is embarrassment. Many people hesitate to talk about it; many actually hold it in if they are with someone significant. People don’t take a dump if they are with someone they are dating, or if their boss is around. ‘What if they find out’ is generally what they think. Are you one of those people?

The question in retrospect is: what if they find out? Isn’t going to the toilet a natural thing? In fact, if that doesn’t happen regularly, that’s when you are in for some serious trouble. In fact, if you are the one to be embarrassed about anything related to your rear end, it’s advisable for you to read through. It’s eye-opening, promise!

More often than not, a sense of embarrassment prevents people from openly talking about problems in their anal region. Shyness to open up about it, fear of getting it checked by a doctor and a general laziness add to the problem. Again, are you one of those people?

Pooping might be a private thing, but imagine sitting on the pot for an agonisingly long time with no results. You’re sure not to like that, but you also console yourself thinking it’ll happen later. When this becomes a routine and the longer time also transforms into a painful affair, you definitely know something’s wrong.

A simple low lying fistula typically refers to a straightforward type of anal fistula whose tract runs close to the surface of the skin and does not involve much of the anal sphincter muscle, making it less complicated and usually easier to treat with procedures like fistulotomy. In contrast to more complex, high-lying fistulas that weave through deeper muscles, a simple low lying fistula often presents with symptoms that are easier to identify, such as persistent discharge, slight pain, or a small opening near the anus, and these are the kinds of warning signs that experts at Smiles Gastroenterology stress should prompt you to go to a doctor rather than ignoring them. The article on why you need to see a physician for an anal fistula highlights that even seemingly “mild” or uncomplicated fistulas can lead to persistent infection, discomfort, and ongoing drainage, and that proper clinical evaluation ensures the right diagnosis and treatment plan — whether it’s a simple low lying fistula or a more complex variant — helping to prevent further complications.

Would you rather go through a painful life affecting your overall health and risk cancer, or go to the doctor and relieve yourself and prevent serious diseases?

If your answer is the latter, then book an appointment with Dr. Parameshwara CM at Smiles Gastroenterology, who is one of the best colo-proctologists, using state-of-the-art technology fuelled by his rich experience in treating such cases with minimal discomfort.