Fistula/Piles
Fistula/Piles
An anal fistula is a tiny passageway that connects an abscess, an infected cavity in the anus, with a wound on the skin around the anus. Essentially, the anus is the hole through which faeces pass out of the body. A small gland produces mucus inside the anus. Abscesses can form when these glands are infected and clogged. There is a 50/50 probability that these abscesses will develop into fistulas.
Piles is another name for haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower anus and rectum. This swelling may be the cause of localized inflammation in another tissue. Piles are brought on by swollen lower anus and rectum veins. They may cause tissue growths to form around the anus.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of an anal fistula include:
- Frequent anal abscesses
- Area around the anus is inflamed (red) and painful
- The hole somewhere around the anus is inflamed, sometimes bleeding, and sometimes smells foul. Once the fistula drains, the pain may subside.
- Feeling fatigued, having a fever, or having chills
- Pain with bowel movements
- Bleeding
- Staining of undergarments
An individual with piles may experience the following symptoms:
- Feeling of something coming out while passing stools
- Painful lumps in and around the anus
- Itching and discomfort around the anus
- Discomfort during and after passing stools
- Bloody with stools
Treatment
Anal fistulas are frequently surgically repaired. The procedure is carried out by a colon and rectal surgery specialist. The goal of the surgery is to protect the anal sphincter muscles, which could suffer injury and result in incontinence, while also successfully closing the fistula. The surgeon might have to insert a special drain called a seton, which is left in place for at least 6 weeks if the fistula is more complicated. A second procedure is generally carried out once a seton is implanted:
- A fistulotomy, fistulectomy
- Advance flaps (where a flap of tissue is taken from the rectum and used to cover the fistula) or
- A fistula LIFT procedure (expanding the sphincter muscles and tying off the fistula)
The majority of the time, piles go away on their own without any kind of treatment. However, several therapies can greatly lessen the itch and pain that many people with piles suffer.
- Alterations in way of life
When people strain during bowel motions, piles can develop. Constipation leads to excessive straining. Altering your diet helps maintain your stools soft and regular. This entails consuming more fibre-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, or particularly breakfast cereals made with bran.
- Medications
There are several medication alternatives available to help someone with piles control their symptoms.
- Operative choices
Surgery might be required if a person has internal bleeding piles or severely prolapsed piles.