Top FAQs On Fistula Treatment Answered By Our Experts At Medfin

Causes of Anal Fistula are: 1. When an anal gland had developed a pus-filled infection (abscess) 2. Some may happen with certain conditions such as Crohn's disease 3. Some people may get fistula after radiation therapy of cancer 4. Untreated anal fissures might lead to anal fistula

Fistulas can be life-threatening in the sense that the untreated fistulas can cause serious complications because of bacterial infection leading to low blood pressure, organ damage and even death. A fistula problem should therefore be addressed in time.

No, anal fistula needs medical attention since it does not heal on its own. If you ignore anal fistula then it can lead to further complications.

If you ignore fistula then it may lead to further complications such as faecal incontinence, sepsis, perforation and peritonitis.

Wash is a treatment of the anal fissures and can be followed as a regimen to do a warm water sitz bath after bowel movement. (A sitz bath can relieve pain, itching and other discomfort in the genital areas).

Fistulas can develop due to radiation therapy. However, fistulas do not necessarily lead to cancer.

Once treated and healed properly, there are rare chances that the fistula will reoccur. However, it will only recur if you deviate from the medications, dietary restrictions and activities prescribed by the doctor.

Medications can only give you temporary relief, the only cure for fistula is surgery.

The ideal person for fistula treatment is a proctologist, who is also called a colorectal or a colon and rectal surgeon. He specializes in diagnosing and treating lower gastrointestinal tract (colon, rectum and anus) problems.

MRI Fistulogram and/or colonoscopy.

It can be life-threatening when left untreated, leading to low blood pressure, organ damage and even death.

You’ll need to consult your doctor in case you experience pain, nausea, fever, inflammation, vomiting, lack of bowel control, swelling in the affected area, redness in the anal region or swelling of lymph nodes in the groin.

Delaying can aggravate the condition, causing bleeding and the need for an emergency surgery.

We would require a copy of your prescription and the MRI / colonoscopy reports, we will share this with our doctor and provide you with an online consultation post which we can do the surgery the same day.

When you have fever, chills, redness, swelling, discharge, bleeding, constipation and trouble controlling bowel movements and when you observe blood in stool, pain when you sit, irritation/itching sensation near the anal canal.

Fistulas do not necessarily cause cancer.

No, fistulas need medical attention and do not heal on their own.

The following home remedies would help treat a fistula:

• Tea tree oil- It has antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Oregano oil- Boosts immunity.
• Cloves- It has anti-bacterial and antiviral properties.
• Turmeric- Boosts immunity and speeds up wound healing.

Fistulas can sometimes close on their own but most often recur. They cannot heal on their own and hence require medical or surgical treatment. Surgery is the most preferred option since you cannot live with an extremely painful fistula that causes discomfort.

 

The home care instructions are given below:

• Be sure to soak your wound in a warm water bath known as a Sitz bath for 10 to 15 minutes several times daily.
• Use stool softeners or laxatives for a week to prevent constipation.
• Consume a healthy, fiber-rich diet (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains).
• Consume 1 to 2 liters of water every day.

A fistulotomy is the best and the most effective treatment option for a fistula, especially an anal fistula. It involves cutting the entire length of the fistula, cleaning the entire internal contents and leaving it open to heal as scar tissue. The risk of fistula recurrence is the lowest in this method.

 

A proctologist is the best doctor that can treat a fistula. He/she is a specialist who deals with anorectal conditions like piles, fissures, and fistula. However, it can also be treated by general surgeons, who generally focus on the alimentary canal and abdominal contents like the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, appendix, etc.

Fistula is an abnormal passage formed between two different body organs or cavities. It can cause severe pain and discomfort and require treatment. If left untreated, a fistula can cause a bacterial infection that may result in sepsis. This life-threatening complication can cause dangerous symptoms like low blood pressure, organ damage, and even death. 
 

Recovery and wound healing post-fistula surgery depends on the severity of the fistula, its location, and the type of surgical method chosen. It may typically take around 6 to 8 weeks for the wound to heal completely post-surgical fistula removal.