Anal fistula (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
:*[[Inflammatory bowel disease]], such as [[Chron's disease]] | |||
:*[[Syphilis]] | |||
:*[[Herpes aimplex]] | |||
==Where to find medical care for anal fistula?== | ==Where to find medical care for anal fistula?== | ||
Revision as of 16:03, 24 February 2010
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD
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What is anal fistula?
How do I know if I have anal fistula and what are the symptoms of anal fistula?
Patients with anal fistula may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Discharge, either bloody or purulent
- Pruritus ani
- Fatigue
- Irritation of skin around the anus
- Visible redness and swelling
- If fistula becomes infected, fever and chills
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for anal fistula?
The following factors increase your chance of developing an anal fistula. If you have any of these risk factors, discuss them with your doctor:
- Colitis or other inflammatory bowel disease, for example Crohn's disease
- Gender: male
How to know you have anal fistula?
- Physical examination: Diagnosis of a fistula is usually made on examination of the area. If it is near the anus, the physician will look for an opening in the skin (a sign that a fistula has developed), and try to determine the depth and direction of the channel or tract of the fistula.
- Anoscope: If signs of fistula may not be present on the skin's surface around the anus, the doctor uses an instrument called an anoscope to see inside the anal canal and lower rectum.
- Blood tests, x-rays, and a colonoscopy: Whenever the physician finds a fistula, further tests such as blood tests, x-rays, and a colonoscopy are needed to be sure Crohn's disease is not present.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of anal fistula develop. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for anal fistula?
Directions to Hospitals Treating anal fistula
Prevention of anal fistula
There are no known ways to prevent anal fistula because the cause of the original infection of anal glands is unknown.
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.gicare.com/diseases/Anal-fissure.aspx
http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/anal_abscess_fistula/
http://www.answers.com/topic/anal-fistula