How to diagnose anal fistula? Symptoms of anal fistula

Anal impotence is a common rectal and anal disease in clinical practice, which has a great impact on people's lives. The main symptom of anal impotence is pus discharge. If anal impotence is not treated in time, it may be accompanied by some systemic symptoms. For example, anemia. Surgery can treat anal impotence.

1. Pus

In the early stages of anal fistula, there is a lot of pus discharge, which is yellow and thick, and has a strong fecal odor. Over time, the pus gradually decreases, sometimes appears and sometimes disappears, and becomes as thin as water. If you are too tired, the pus increases and feces may flow out. Newly formed fistulas discharge more pus, which is thick, yellow and smelly. Fistulas that have been in operation for a long time will discharge relatively less pus, or the pus may be absent sometimes and thin like water. If the amount of pus increases, it means that a new fistula has been formed. The fistula is sometimes temporarily blocked and pus is not discharged, resulting in local swelling and pain and increased body temperature. Later, the blocked fistula will rupture and pus will be discharged again. Gas or feces may also be discharged from the fistula.

2. Pain

When anal fistula is unobstructed, there is generally no pain, only a local feeling of heaviness and distension. However, it may also cause pain due to a large internal opening and the flow of feces into the tube, especially when defecating or when there is inflammation. When the fistula is unobstructed and there is no inflammation, there is often no pain, only local swelling and discomfort, which worsens when walking. When the fistula becomes infected or pus is not draining properly and becomes swollen and inflamed, it can cause pain. Internal fistula often causes burning discomfort in the lower rectum and anus, and pain when passing stool.

3. Itching

The constant irritation of the skin around the anus by pus can cause perianal pruritus, which may also be accompanied by perianal eczema.

4. Systemic symptoms

Acute inflammation or chronic complex anal fistula may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, anemia, weight loss and loss of appetite. During the acute inflammatory period and when complex anal fistulas recur, fever of varying degrees may occur, or long-term chronic wasting symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and physical weakness. Anal fistula cannot heal on its own and requires surgical treatment.