For individuals with Crohn’s disease, fistulas are a usual and severe complication of this disease. However, despite their recurrence, they are the least discussed symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD.)
A study found that fistulas influence up to 50 percent of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease within 20 years of diagnosis.
It is characterized as a strange association between two segments of the body, in individuals with Crohn’s disease, fistulas can develop in many spots and that could be:
- in the vagina and rectum
- in the skin and anus
- in the digestive tract and bladder
Based on the location on your body, symptoms may vary, and keep in mind that few minor fistulas can be fixed with antibiotics, but other cases may need surgery. The surgical procedure is known as fistulotomy wherein the surgeon opens the fistula to allow it to recuperate appropriately.
If an individual has an oversized fistula, then the surgeon uses a seton (it is a piece of surgical thread) to drain it. This process has a slightly longer recovery time.
Stay Calm and Keep Patience
According to Dr. Valeria Simone MD, experienced general surgeon at Southlake General Surgery, Texas, fistulotomy or fistula surgery is a minor surgery, but an individual should keep patience for the recuperation process. An individual may experience draining from the wound for weeks after fistula surgery, as it will be left open for fast recuperating.
The recovery process after fistula surgery is slightly slow, however, an individual can return to work and resume regular activities in about a week or two.
Keep an Emergency Medical Kit
If you’re planning to move out keep an emergency medical kit along to tackle any situation related to fistula.
An emergency medical kit will boost your confidence to plan a trip and help you to counter any medical issues. Emergency medical kit includes:
- medical gauze, in case you need, do dressing again
- fragrance-free water wipes
- a water spray bottle to wash the wound
- a spare pair of undergarments
If an individual is experiencing excessive drainage, it is advised to keep soft organic panty liners.
Take Sitz Baths
A sitz bath is a warm or hot water shallow bath that cleanses the perineum (a space between the scrotum and rectum). A sitz bath help ease pain, itching, and discomfort in the genital area. An individual should take multiple baths in a day or after each bowel movement.
In case you’re traveling, or you don’t have a bath, you can take a sitz bath seat that fits over your toilet seat. You just need to add water and sit in it.
Once you’re done with the sitz bath, gently clean the area instead of rubbing it to avoid any skin aggravation.
Signs of infection
People with fistulas are at risk of infection by the wound recuperating excessively fast and developing an abscess.
As early you identify these signs, it will be easy to treat them. At times, you just only need a dose of antibiotics.
Don’t ignore if you feel burning pain or continual green pus. Consult with your doctor about the signs and symptoms.
Discuss Safe Sexual Intercourse
Safe sexual intercourse might last thing on your mind, but it is important to discuss it with your doctor. However, you can resume intercourse after a few weeks if you would like to.
An individual doesn’t need to wait till the wound completely recuperate. You can have intercourse with a seton too. Consult with your doctor before you plan for intercourse.
Try not to panic if you experience irritation
If an individual felt some irritation a couple of months after the surgery, don’t panic. Irritation is completely normal; scar tissue develops from fistula surgery. At times, it feels itchy or somewhat sore.
In case, if an individual has multiple scar tissues, the doctor will suggest a few gentle massages exercise to settle down the skin.
What if surgery doesn’t work for you?
Fortunately, loads of fistulas are completely fixed with surgery. But based upon the area, they can develop again.
There are many options that an individual can choose if the surgery isn’t effective for you from the outset. Few individuals manage to live with fistula problems for a long time and it is feasible to keep a seton for a couple of years.
You can speak to your doctor about the available option if a fistula surgery isn’t effective on the first attempt.
Daily Workout
Daily workout is essential for all individuals to maintain overall health. Based on the location of the fistula, it may get aggravated by many exercise movements and sweat. Always begin with moderate exercises and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts.
Take care of your mental wellbeing
If an individual is experiencing fistula for a long time, it may disturb their mental health. Some individual feels embarrassed talking about this problem even discussing it with the doctor.
With time problems may get complicated and it might be difficult to treat. So, it is always advised to contact your doctor and without any hesitation discuss in detail.
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