Here at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay, we specialize in various diseases that affect the anal canal, opening, and the rest of the bowel. If you have struggled with anal abscesses in the past, you may likely develop an anal fistula at some point in your life. Let’s take a look at what anal fistulas are, how they are diagnosed, and how serious they can be.
In the field of medicine, it’s often taken for granted how common some conditions are, while others are much rarer in presentation. While you and your doctor may want to assume that anal itching and bleeding after a bowel movement is simply caused by hemorrhoids, it would be a disservice to not address other potential conditions. The likelihood may be lower, but patients should know what to look for.
Perianal abscesses can cause several painful symptoms for patients, but the good news is that they’re easily treated. For most patients initial treatment is successful - they can move on with their lives and be symptom free! For some, however, the abscess will continue returning. If you have a perianal abscess that keeps coming back, it’s usually a sign that there’s more going on that meets the eye.
Perhaps your primary care doctor suspects you have an anal fistula and has referred you to a specialist. Or maybe you are displaying common symptoms of an anal fistula. You may be anxiously waiting to hear more about the diagnosis and its treatment. And it’s likely you don’t have a detailed idea of what an anal fistula is. Below, we’ll help you answer some of the many questions you might about anal fistulas, including how they are diagnosed, the preferred treatment, and more.
Anal fissure and anal fistula may sound similar because of their names. Surprisingly, other than the fact that they are issues that originate near the anus, these two conditions are very different. The main distinguishing factors between an anal fissure and an anal fistula are the cause of the issue, the symptoms present, the extent of the issue, and the treatment needed to provide relief. Below, we will take a deep dive into these variances between each condition.
One fairly common problem our colorectal specialists treat at the Colorectal Clinic Of Tampa Bay is the presence of anal fistulas. This condition is not widely common amongst most individuals, but when it does present itself, it must be treated by a professional. Read more to learn everything you need to know about anal fistulas.
