What is an Anal Fistula?
An Anal Fistula is an abnormal tube-like connection that forms between the inside of the anus (at the anal gland) and the skin right outside the anus. Think of it as a tunnel.
Anal Fistulae originate from the anal glands, which are located between the internal and external anal sphincter and drain into the anal canal. If the outlet of these glands becomes blocked, an abscess can form which can eventually extend to the skin surface.
Simply put, Anal Fistula commonly occur in people as the result of an infection near the anus causing a collection of pus (abscess) in the nearby tissue.
What causes an Anal Fistula?
An Anal Fistula usually begins with an infection in the anal gland. This infection can cause an abscess (a swollen area where pus gathers). As the pus drains, it can leave a channel between the bowel and the skin. This channel (or tunnel) is the Fistula. So, most of the time, an Anal Abscess causes most Anal Fistulas. You can get one if the abscess does not heal properly.
Less common causes of Anal Fistulas include:
• Crohn’s Disease – A long-term condition in which the intestine becomes inflamed.
• Diverticulitis – Infection of the small pouches that can stick out of the side of the large intestine (colon).
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa – A long-term skin condition that causes abscesses and scarring.
• Infection with Tuberculosis (TB) or HIV.
• A complication of surgery near the anus.
• Radiation (treatment of cancer).
• Cancer
Symptoms of an Anal Fistula
Symptoms of an Anal Fistula can include:
• Skin irritation around the anus.
• A constant throbbing pain that may be worse when you sit down, move around, poo or cough.
• Smelly discharge from near your anus.
• Passing pus or blood when you poo.
• Swelling and redness around your anus and a high temperature (fever) if you also have an abscess.
• Difficulty controlling bowel movements (bowel incontinence) in some cases.
Homeopathic Treatment of Anal Fistula
In conventional medicine, if an Anal Fistula has developed, the doctor will need to surgically remove it. After the Fistula has been removed, you’ll need to take antibiotics. However, in Homeopathy, well selected homeopathic medicines can cure this condition without surgery.
The choice of the homeopathic medicine is based on the symptoms so as to prescribe the appropriate medicines meant for this condition.
Some of these important symptoms are given below
along with their prominent homeopathic medicines in resolving the case of an Anal Fistula;
- Calcarea Sulph – For Thick, Yellow Discharges.
Calcarea Sulph is beneficial for the treatment of Anal Fistula with thick and yellow discharge. The discharge is often purulent and in some cases, blood may also appear. Pain is also prominent in the anal region.
- Berberis Vulgaris – For Shooting Pain.
Berberis Vulgaris works well in cases where there is a shooting pain around the anus. In addition to this, a stitching pain around the anus also points towards the use of Berberis Vulgaris. The skin around the anus is very sore in such patients and is accompanied by itching. The itch is mostly worse in the evening.
- Calcarea Phos – For Painless Fistula.
Painless Anal Fistula points towards the use of Calcarea Phos. In this case, there is blood and pus discharge from the Anal Fistula. These discharges can be accompanied by warm or burning sensation around the anus. Another striking indication for using Calcarea Phos is Anal Fistula accompanied with chest complaints. Calcarea Phos hastens the healing process of Anal Fistula resulting in speedy recovery.
- Paeonia Officinalis – For Constantly Oozing Fluid.
Paeonia Officinalis is a natural medicine for Anal Fistula treatment. Persistent oozing of fluid from anal tract, the smell of the fluid is extremely offensive and there is also much pain in the anus region. Sitting makes the pain worse. There is itching and biting sensation around the anus.
- Hydrastis Canadensis – For Anal Fistula with Constipation.
Hydrastis Canadensis is highly beneficial for treating Anal Fistula accompanied by constipation. Hydrastis Canadensis helps in healing the Anal Fistula as well as regularizing the bowel movement. Patients with chronic constipation (i.e. those who often have a number of days without passing stool), those with severe pain following the passing of stool, those for whom the pain lasts for hours following stool, and those with burning pain in the rectum and around the anus, are typical candidates for Hydrastis Canadensis.
- Causticum – For Pulsating Pain.
Causticum works well when pulsating pain around the anus is present. The pulsations are of high intensity in the perineum. The Anal Fistula discharges pus, blood. Along that, hemorrhoids may also be present. The hemorrhoids are hard, large and swollen.
- Thuja Occidentalis – For Burning Around the Anus.
Thuja Occidentalis is a beneficial medicine for Anal Fistula accompanied by burning pain around the anus. Soreness around the anus also appears. The burning and soreness last all day. Stitching pain, as from needle pricking in the peri-anal region may also present. Peri-anal pains are worse after walking. Offensive sweat around the anus may also be there along with the above symptoms.
- Silicea – For Copious Pus Discharge.
Silicea is a useful medicine for Anal Fistula with copious pus discharges. Sometimes blood may be present in the purulent discharge. The discharge is also highly offensive and putrid smelling. The discharge is accompanied by peri-anal swelling. Silicea is also a remedy for Anal Fistula with brownish fluid discharge and/or accompanied with constipation. Silicea is also applicable to treat hardness/indurations left around the anus after the healing of an Anal Fistula.
- Hepar Sulph – For Intense Pain.
Hepar Sulph in cases of Fistula accompanied by extreme pain. It works in cases where the area around the peri-anal region is highly inflamed, hard and swollen, and is very sore and sensitive to touch. The pain, in most cases, is worse at night. Cold worsens the pain. Other symptoms may include throbbing or beating sensation around the anus, discharge of pus from the Anal Fistula that may be bloodstained and smell like decaying matter.
For Homeopathic Treatment of Anal Fistula, contact the Homeopath Oluwafunmise on 08028366901 or 08183554665.
