Anal Fistula is a thin tunnel that stretches from inside the anus to the skin around the exterior of the anus, commonly found among people with a history of an anal abscess. Anal fistula often occurs when the abscess doesn’t heal properly.
Inside the anus, there are a number of small glands. When one of these glands are blocked, it forms an infection, which later turns into a fistula.
Understand the causes
Between the internal and external sphincters are the anal glands. An abscess is formed when the outlet of these glands is blocked resulting in bacteria buildup creating a swollen pocket of infected tissues and liquid. This could extend to the surface of the skin with time. The fistula is a tract that is formed as a result of this process.
Causes of an anal fistula are not always abscesses but conditions like tuberculosis, bowel-related issues or even sexually transmitted diseases could also be causes of fistula.
Look out for these symptoms
BE it any kind of health condition, understanding the symptoms means identifying the disease in its early stages. This not only prevents complications but also helps you in doing the basic treatments or even home remedies in some cases, right at the early stages. The major symptoms of anal fistula include:
- Swelling and pain around the anus
- Pain during bowel movements
- Bleeding while bowel movement
- Drainage from an opening around the anus.
- This drainage could be bloody and will have a foul smell
- Irritation on the skin around the anus
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
Although some of these symptoms might be indications of some other conditions, we recommend you to consult a physician if you experience any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis
When you witness the symptoms of anal fistula, visit a doctor who is specialized in rectal and colon diseases. After checking the symptoms and the medical history, the doctor will examine the fistula around the anal opening. This diagnosis is done to check the discharge of the puss and the depth of the anal fistula. Doctors use other methods as well to diagnose anal fistula:
- Anoscopy: An instrument is used to see the insides of the anus and rectum.
- MRI or Ultrasound: The images from these scans are used by the doctors to have a better understanding of the fistula tract.
- Fistula Probe: This diagnosis is to find the internal opening of the fistula. A thin probe passes through the fistula. A special die is injected with which the doctors discover the fistula’s internal opening.
Types of Fistula
Understanding the type of fistula will be useful for a better diagnosis. The various types of fistula are:
- Blind Fistula: This type of fistula connects two structures, but has an opening only on one end.
- Complete Fistula: This type of fistula has openings on both the internal and external end.
- Horseshoe Fistula: This type of fistula connects the surface of the skin and the anus but the tunnel goes around the anus.
- Incomplete Fistula: This type of fistula starts from the external skin and ends in between without connecting any internal structure.
“Laser Piles” for a lightning-fast Treatment
The conventional method of fistula treatment is surgery. It involves painful open surgery, hospitalization, diet restrictions, a month of bed rest in most cases, and daily dressing. Because of these reasons, most people with this condition refrain from treatment and suffer in silence.
Laser Piles is bringing to you the most advanced technologies of laser treatment for fistula. At Laser Piles, our laser treatment for fistula involves no surgery, no hospitalization, and no diet restrictions. The treatment is so fast that you can start going to work the very next day.
Book your appointment or visit any of our branches today to hear it from the experts. Call us: 910 850 3674, Email: support@laserpiles.com
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