The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where the waste matter, feces, is passed out. It contains various parts including the anal glands and the sphincter muscles. The main function of the anus is the expulsion of waste and this is controlled by the contraction and expansion of the sphincter muscles.
A fistula is described as a condition where an abnormal connection is made between two parts of organs that would normally not be connected to each other. In the anus, fistulae may be caused by diseases that affect the digestive system like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Fistulae can prove to be dangerous if they get clogged with pus and waste material from your feces, as this can promote the spread of infection through your body.
When you suffer from an anal fistula you will feel pain in the area especially when passing motion. You may also feel itching in the area which can be confused with pin worm infections. You may also notice blood or pus in your fecal matter. This is one of the more clear signs that there is a problem in your anus, especially if the blood is bright red and not darkened.
When you suspect such a problem you should visit your doctor who will have to perform a rectal examination. It is possible that the fistula will be visible from the surface but often an examination is required. This can be considerably painful for some people and may be done under anesthesia. An endoscopy could be done to check the anus, but this is inserted to a shallow level only. During the process, before anesthesia, the doctor may have to check if the area is painful to touch. While examining the area redness will be noticed.
An anal fistula can only be treated medically and there are no home remedies that can actively fix the problem. By having a high fiber diet and refraining from eating heavily spiced foods, you can relieve the pain or symptoms of the fistula when you are defecating. However, to completely solve the problem, medical intervention is necessary. Your doctor will likely create a drainage canal around the fistula for the pus to drain out. While this may not cure it, it will reduce its size and further treatment could be sought once the drainage of pus is complete. Several different surgical processes exist to treat fistulae. These vary depending on the location of the fistula and the level of discomfort felt by the individual.