Fistula
Could you be suffering from a fistula?
By Jarrett Kruse
A fistula is an abnormal organ connection between 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 causes 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 Crohn’s disease than in ulcerative colitis. Approximately one quarter of people with Crohn’s disease develop fistulas.
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Symptoms of fistulas can include pain, fever, tenderness, itching, and generally feeling poorly. The fistula may also drain pus or a foul-smelling discharge. The fistula side effects vary based on the severity and location of the fistula. Treatments for fistulas vary depending on their location and severity of symptoms. Fistula treatment includes the use of antibiotics like Flagyl or 6-MP or Remicade. An enteral diet or “liquid nutrition” may be required for some fistulas replacing solid food through a feeding tube.
Depending on their location can be diagnosed by some of the diagnostic tests used in Irritable Bowel Disease. These might include a barium enema, a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy, or an upper endoscopy. Another test like a fistulogram may be applied using dye that is injected into the trouble area while X-rays are taken. The dye helps the fistula to show up better on the X-rays and similar to an enema for fistulas that are in the rectum or colon. The dye must be held inside during the procedure and it is important to remain still. X-rays will be taken from several different angles so a patient may have to change positions on the X-ray table. If the fistula is to the outside of the body then the dye is put into the opening with a small tube.
