Living with Anal Fistula: Causes & Symptoms

• Written by Ritika Malik

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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Let's be real.

If you're reading this, chances are your buttocks are whispering sweet nothings like "burning pain," "leaky secrets," or "mystery swelling", and now you are deep-diving Google with curiosity. Welcome to the rabbit hole (no pun intended) of anal fistula research.

Grab a comfy seat with a pillow, because we're going full detective mode, minus the lab coat, plus a little humour and many answers.

What is an Anal Fistula?

Let's start with a quick Netflix-level backstory:

Meet Arjun. Regular guy, 30-something, working-from-home legend. One day, he notices a weird pain near his bum. He shrugs it off, thinking, "Probably sat too long on a bad chair." Days pass. Then comes the discharge, followed by pain. Then more discharge. Google Search: "Why does my butt have a second mouth?"

Boom. Rectal Fistula.

In medical terms, a rectal fistula or anal fistula is a small tunnel that forms between the end of the bowel or your rectum and the skin near the anus. It often follows an infection in an anal gland that turns into an abscess and decides, "Hey, I'll build a tunnel now!"

The Telltale Signs: Fistula Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

There are several fistula signs and symptoms — and trust us, your body is not shy about them.

• Persistent, throbbing anal fistula pain
• Discharge of pus or blood from around the anus
• Swelling or redness
• Painful bowel movements
• Itching or irritation
• Fever (if an infection's playing up)

This list defines symptoms of anal fistula or perianal fistula symptoms. While it might sound like something from a medical horror story, it's a common and treatable condition.

Are Fistula Symptoms in Females Different from Fistula Symptoms in Males?

Short answer: not drastically. But!

Women might experience vaginal fistula symptoms, especially post-childbirth or surgeries, where a connection forms between the rectum and vagina, known as a rectovaginal fistula. Men often report anal pain and swelling near the buttocks.

Fistula symptoms in females include:

• Pain and swelling
• Anus Drainage
• Skin irritation and itching
• Fever & chills
• Painful bowel movements

Fistula symptoms in males are:

• Difficulty defecating
• Recurrent abscesses
• Smelly discharge
• Bowel incontinence

Is it Just a Fistula? Or... Something Worse?

Here's where your brain goes into overdrive: "Wait. Could this be cancer?"

It's rare, but yes, some anal fistula and cancer concerns are valid, especially when symptoms linger too long or worsen. Persistent fistula cancer symptoms can include:

• Blood in stool
• Unhealed fistula despite treatment
• Weight loss and fatigue

Don't panic. But do check with your doctor. A proper anal fistula diagnosis includes physical exams, imaging (like MRI), and sometimes a scope. Best not to let Dr. Google be your only consultant.

>> Also Read: What is an Anal Fissure?

What Causes Anal Fistulas?

Let's have a look at some of the usual causes of fistulas:

• Untreated abscesses
• Crohn's disease
• Tuberculosis (yep, that too)
• Radiation therapy
• Trauma or injury
• STIs (sexually transmitted infections)

Anything that irritates or infects the anal glands can be a trigger.The sooner it's treated, the better you will feel.

Anal Fistula Treatments

Once diagnosed, your doctor might suggest some surgical procedures:

• Fistulotomy: A surgical procedure where the fistula tract is cut open, cleaned, and allowed to heal from the inside out. It's the most helpful treatment, but may risk minor incontinence near the anal muscles.
• Seton Placement: A surgical thread is inserted through the fistula tract to keep it open and allow drainage, lowering infection and allowing the tract to mature for further surgery.
• Fibrin Glue or Plugs: These minimally invasive methods employ biological glue or absorbable plugs to close the fistula. They are appropriate for simple, low-risk tracts with less possibility of muscle impairment.
• LIFT Procedure (Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract): A muscle-sparing surgery where the internal fistula tract is tied off and removed through a small incision, maintaining continence.

Over and above, home remedy for anal fistula can go a long way in treating this condition, where sitz baths, high-fiber diets, opting for topical treatments with honey, turmeric, aloe vera gel, tea tree oil etc. are the options easily available. However, if symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor without delay. Recovery can take a few weeks, but the purpose is always the same: no pain, no leak, everyday life.

Does Health Insurance Cover Anal Fistula Treatment?

YES, and you should use it!!

Most health insurance policies do cover diagnostic tests, surgical procedures like fistulotomy, hospital stays, and post-op care for anal fistula. Revisit your policy's fine print or consult with your insurer.

Pro tip: Choose plans with minimal waiting periods for pre-existing conditions like this, or if this has been a continuing issue.

Quick Recap

If you are still here, congrats, you are now officially smarter than 80% of people who Google this. Let's do a quick recap:

• An anal fistula is a tunnel near your bum. It's painful and gross, but curable.
• Key red flags? Discharge, pain, swelling, fever, irritation.
• Look for fistula symptoms and treatment alternatives early on.
• Don't neglect fistula cancer symptoms or assume it's "just a pimple."
• Insurance is your financial bestie; make sure it's in play.

Final Thoughts: Don't Sit on it, Literally!!

If your bottom's whispering weird things to you, don't just sit in pain and scroll. Consult your doctor, get that anal fistula diagnosis, ask questions, and yes, laugh a little while you're at it. Because recovery isn't just clinical. It's human.

And hey, your bum deserves better!!

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.