FISTULA-ANAL

A very painful channel created between the rectal canal and the skin around the surface of the anus. At times, there is pus formation and slight bleeding. Definition:- According to the medical Dictionaries A fistula is an abnormal tunnel connecting two body cavities (such as the rectum and the vagina) or a body cavity to the skin (like the rectum to the outside of the body). One way a fistula may form is from an abscess - a pocket of pus in the body. The abscess may be constantly filling with body fluids such as stool or urine, which prevents healing. Eventually the fistula breaks through to the skin, another body cavity, or an organ. Fistulas are more common in Cohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis. Approximately one quarter of people with Cohn's disease develop fistulas.Fistulas often occur in the area around the genitals and anus (known as the perineum). The four types of fistulas are: • Enterocutaneous: This type of fistula is from the intestine to the skin. An enterocutaneous fistula may be a complication of surgery. It can be described as a passageway that progresses from the intestine to the surgery site and then to the skin. • Enteroenteric or Enterocolic: This is a fistula that involves the large or small intestine. • Enterovaginal: This is a fistula that goes to the vagina. • Enterovesicular: This type of fistula goes to the bladder. These fistulas may result in frequent urinary tract infections, or the passage of gas from the urethra during urination. Symptoms Symptoms of fistulas can include pain, fever, tenderness, itching, and generally feeling poorly. The fistula may also drain pus or a foul-smelling discharge. These symptoms vary based on the severity and location of the fistula. Diagnosis Fistulas, depending on their location, can be diagnosed by some of the diagnostic tests often used in IBD. Barium enema, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or an upper endoscopy may be used. Another test, a fistulogram, may also be used. In this test, dye is injected into the fistula, and X-rays are taken. The dye helps the fistula to show up better on the X-rays. The dye is inserted into the rectum, similar to an enema, for fistulas that are in the rectum. The dye must be 'held' inside during the procedure. With a fistula that is to the outside of the body, the dye is put into the opening with a small tube. X-rays will be taken from several different angles, so a patient may have to change positions on the X-ray table. As with any other kind of X-ray, remaining still is important .For a suspected enterovesicular (bladder) fistula, an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), another type of X-ray, is performed. Prepping for this test may include a clear liquid diet or fasting, because stool in the colon can obstruct the view of the bladder. The dye (contrast material) is injected into the arm, and several X-rays are taken. Complications A fistula may form an abscess when it closes, or if it becomes infected. An abscess is an infection inside a cavity in the body. HOMOEOPATHIC Remedies :- CALENDULA (Mother tincture for local application.): • Provides comfort as well as local healing. MYRISTICA 200: • Aborts pus formation. Heals when pus has formed. • Surgery can be avoided in septic cases by the use of this medicine. NITRIC ACID 200: • Rectum feels torn. • Anal fissures. Splinters in the rectum. • Would cry if touched on sore anus. • Bowels constipated. Constriction. • Violent ,cutting pain after stool, lasting for hours. • Pain even after soft stool. • Tenesmus present. • Difficult healing of anal fistula or fissures. Chronic cases. (Most effective). SILICEA 200: • Anal fistula with pus. • Fissure and hemorrhoids painful. • Goes deep to heal pus-filled pockets. • Severe pain. Spasm of sphincter. • Difficulty in passing stool. Receding stool. • Anal sphincter irritated.