A fistula is an abnormal, tube-like connection, a passage or hole that forms between two organs or an organ in your body and your skin. There are various types of fistulas that can develop in different parts of your body but the most common types are-

1. Obstetric Fistulas: This is the name given to a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder. A vaginal fistula that opens into the urinary tract is called a vesicovaginal fistula and one that opens into the rectum is called a rectovaginal fistula. 

A woman with obstructed labour or labour that is not attended by a doctor or a midwife, can suffer labour pain for up to six or seven days. And as the labour produces contractions that push the baby s head against the mother s pelvic, the soft tissues between the baby s head and the pelvic bone are compressed and do not receive adequate blood flow between the mother s bladder and vagina and/or between the rectum and vagina.
This means that a hole forms on the vaginal wall between the urinary tract and her rectum. The urine and faeces thus start to leak from the vaginal opening causing soiling and foul smell.

Apart from labour, hysterectomies that damage the vaginal wall can also cause such types of fistulas.

Enterovaginal   A woman may have gas and foul smelling fluids leaking out of her vagina due to an enterovaginal fistula which is a hole between the vagina and the digestive tract. It s usually caused due to inflammatory bowel disease or IBD and ulcerative colitis.

2. Anal fistula

These are fistulas that form between the end of the bowel and skin near the anus.

An anal fistula usually develops due to a previous or current anal abscess. An anal abscess is an infected cavity filled with pus found near the anus due to an acute infection in the internal glands of the anus.

Common symptoms are:

Pain in the anorectal area
Swelling
Redness
Fever
Rectal bleeding
Urinary symptoms, such as trouble initiating urination or painful urination
Causes:

Inflammatory bowel disease   a chronic condition of the GI track which causes inflammation
Diverticulitis   An infection in the large intestine
Tuberculosis, HIV
Surgery near the anus
Anal abscess and likewise anal fistula are treated by surgical drainage in which an incision is made in the skin near the anus to drain the infection causing an anal abscess. Hospitalization may be required for patients who have impaired immunity like diabetics.

Anal fistula though has no medical treatment and surgery is almost always necessary to cure it.

If the fistula is straightforward which means one that involves minimal sphincter muscle, a fistulotomy may be performed. This involves cutting open the whole length of the fistula so it heals.
Seton is another procedure in which a surgical thread called a seton is placed in the fistula and left there to help it heal.

Different Types of Fistula and Treatments!

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition whereby, tiny abscesses and ulcers are formed on the inner lining of the large intestine, or on the colon or rectum. These ulcers may burst frequently resulting in diarrhea and bloody stools. This disease may also be responsible for causing anemia as well as harsh abdominal pain.

Ulcerative colitis normally alternate periodically from flaring up to receding quickly. These periods of remission can either last for weeks or maybe, even for years at a stretch. They are, however, not permanent and although the disease may seem to have disappeared completely, it can soon show up again in no time. Usually beginning in the rectum, it can, by and by, spread rapidly to other parts of the colon. If it is, however, limited only to the rectum, then it is more commonly referred to as ulcerative proctitis.

Surgery is generally obligatory and mandatory when it comes to treating ulcerative colitis. If surgery is not performed, you may suffer from long-lasting side effects, including cancer and colon rupture. Here are the different types of surgery that you may undergo:

1. Colectomy: This is done when the entire colon needs to be removed and is usually performed to eliminate the perils of acquiring colon cancer.

2. Proctocolectomy: This concerns the total removal of both colon and rectum and is usually the standard procedure when dealing with ulcerative colitis.

3. Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis: If the treatment does not require a permanent stoma, and if you can still manage to let out stool from your anus, then this surgery, also called restorative proctocolectomy would be most appropriate.

Here, both colon and rectum are removed, but at the same time, the small intestine is utilized to form an internal reservoir, called a J-pouch, which is linked to the anus and can hereafter serve as your new rectum.

Types Of Ulcerative Colitis Surgery

Nobody prefers to suffer from ailments such as Cirrhosis of liver. After all, it is difficult for a person, if his or her liver is not functioning properly. However, if in case a person is suffering from such kind of chronic ailment, then one can opt for Ayurvedic remedies, which do not have any side effects. 

Why it occurs?
In order to know how it is treated, it is essential to understand what causes cirrhosis of the liver and what it means to have this dreaded condition. While there is a range of causes for the chronic disease, fatty liver disease along with hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common causes of Cirrhosis of the liver. 

Alcohol consumption on an excessive level also bears its fair share of responsibility. As a matter of fact, Cirrhosis of the liver is caused on account of this sort of alcohol consumption and is responsible for more deaths than any other type.

Detoxifying your liver with Ayurveda
When it comes to the Ayurvedic way to treat this serious issue that is liver Cirrhosis, the main focus is on the complete and effective detoxification of the liver. One of the first things that is involved in this sort of treatment is a radical overhaul of the habits of the person whose quality of life is being seriously impinged on due to this disease.

De-addiction is a very important starting point. After all, it can be said to be only logical, that the treatment of a disease, which has been brought upon by the indulgence in a bad habit begins with the cessation of the habit.

Diet restrictions are also part and parcel of getting liver cirrhosis treated by making use of Ayurveda s deep and ancient body of knowledge. In many cases, doing so does mean giving up consumption of meat. In addition to this, other things, which are to be done from the point of view of dietary changes include, but are not limited to, avoiding hot and oily food which tends to be heavy on the digestive system of the person who is undergoing treatment. With the body under so much pressure in any case, it makes no sense at all to add more load.

While all this may seem to be very cumbersome, it is to be kept in mind what wonders Ayurveda can accomplish and how does it work in repairing the damaged liver of the patient who is undergoing this course of treatment. The end result makes all the sacrifices worth the effort.

Cirrhosis of the Liver - How Ayurveda Can Help Treat it?

The human digestive system is a very complicated and sizeable component of the body. It starts right at the beginning of the mouth, ending at the rectum. Some of the major responsibilities of the digestive system include absorption of essential nutrients and elimination of wastes.

Not only do digestive problems have embarrassing and unwanted symptoms, serious, chronic diseases can be caused if the minor problems are not treated.

Some digestive problems are listed below:

GERD: This is a burning sensation that results from acids in the stomach being squirted into the oesophagus. A burning sensation is felt, right from the chest to the end of the throat. Frequent heartburns can lead to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), symptoms of which include dry cough, sore throat, chest discomfort and difficulty in swallowing.
Bloating: This is caused due to the presence of excess gas in the colon, small intestines or the stomach.
Dyspepsia: This is an uncomfortable feeling or pain which occurs in the upper abdominal regions, mostly a result of excess food intake. It is commonly referred to as indigestion. Dyspepsia can be discomforting and if prolonged, medical assistance should be opted for.
Chronic Constipation: Persistent constipation (chronic) is a sign that there is a problem with the elimination of wastes. This usually happens when the colon is unable to move or pass stools. Other major causes of chronic constipation can be changes in your usual diet, various eating disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and excessive consumption of dairy products among others.
Food Intolerance: This occurs when the digestive system is unable to tolerate certain food items. This condition is different from food allergies as it only affects the digestive system. Some of the common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, gas and vomiting.
Possible Serious Conditions-

A gastroenterologist is a type of doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases involving the digestive system. If you continue to experience digestion problems, it s time to make an appointment.

More serious signs could mean an emergency medical problem. Those signs include:

bloody stools
continuous vomiting
severe abdominal cramps
sweating
sudden, unintentional weight loss
These symptoms could be an indication of an infection, gallstones, hepatitis, internal bleeding, or cancer.

Medications-

You may be able to overcome digestion problems with treatment and lifestyle changes. Certain diseases of the digestive system might be long-term, but medications can help alleviate symptoms.

Identifying specific digestion problems and talking with a gastroenterologist can go a long way in terms of helping your doctor give you a proper diagnosis. Remember, you don t have to put up with constant digestive issues.

Problems Related To Digestion!

Peptic ulcers are wounds that develop in the stomach lining, less esophagus or small intestine. They are usually due to inflammation caused by bacterial H. pylori, in addition to corrosions from stomach acids. An ulcer is generally rooted in the stomach or inner layer of the small intestine. A stomach ulcer is the most visible sign of peptic an ulcer disease.

People with an ulcer may have a really hard time dealing with it. It is an open wound on the outer or internal surface of the body, which causes excessive pain. It is due to a breakdown in the mucous membrane or skin which fails to recover.

Causes of peptic ulcer:
Several reasons can cause stomach, esophagus, and small intestine to break. Contains:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria that can cause stomach infections and swelling
Continuous use of Aspirin (Bayer), Ibuprofen (Advil), and other anti-inflammatory drugs (the risks linked with this behavior among women and people over 60 years of age)
Smoking
Alcohol drinking
radiation therapy
stomach cancer
Symptoms of peptic ulcer:
The most common symptom of peptic ulcer is burning abdominal pain, which spread from navel to chest, which can range from light to severe. In few circumstances, the pain can get you up at night. Small peptic ulcers cannot develop any symptoms in initial stages.

A burning, grinding pain in the upper middle part of the stomach and is comforted just by eating or taking antacids.
Change in taste
Sickness
Bloody or dark stool
Ambiguous weight loss
Indigestion
Vomit
Pain in chest
Below are the ways to you from Peptic ulcers?
Stomach ulcer pain is not a joke: it can leave you weak. Fortunately, following these steps are ways to reduce your risk of getting ulcer.

Avoid some foods such as spicy, lemon, fatty, etc., because they can be burdens your stomach. Specifically, if you have seen that particular types of food disturb your stomach, keep away from it.
Improve the quality of your life by including exercise, stress-free activities, yoga etc. in your daily routine.
The heavy consumption of alcohol can cause ulcers. They have been contributing to the development of ulcers, so it is good to reduce the consumption of alcohol.
Taking no steroid anti-inflammatory medicines can reduce the risk of disturbing your stomach lining and thus avoiding the growth of ulcers.
Management of anxiety level avoids the expansion of ulcers. Do yoga and other comforting arts that help prevent the ulcer.
Some lifestyle choices and habits can reduce your risk of developing the peptic ulcer. 

5 Things You Can Do To Protect Yourself From Peptic Ulcer!

Liver disorders are very common. Gastroenterologists trained in liver diseases are known as Hepatologists.Symptoms of liver disease include jaundice, vomitting of blood(Hemetemesis), bleeding in the motions(also known as Melena or hematochezia),altered sensorium known as Hepatic encephalopathy(HE), Renal failure also known as Hepatorenal syndrome(HRS), Breathlessness (due to Hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension).

Let s understand the liver disease point by point: 

1. Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a virus which is usually acquired in four ways. Unprotected sexual intercourse with the infected partner, from infected to the child, infected needles, infected blood. It takes many years for the hepatitis B virus to cause liver damage. Once the liver is damaged it is called Cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. When liver is more then 80 percent damage, it causes blood vomiting also known as hematemesis, Ascites(water in the stomach), Jaundice, HE, HRS etc. Treatment depends on virus count which is calculated by HBV DNA PCR and other lab parameters. Once the treatment starts monitoring of viral count is done to document the effectiveness of the treatment. All the family members and sexual partners must get HbsAg screening done to detect early silent infection. All those who test negative, Hepatitis vaccination should be done, by three injections which provide them with 100% protection against the HBV infection.

2. Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is a virus which is acquired by injection drug abuse and infected needles and blood. Transmission by unprotected sexual intercourse is possible but chances are very low. Hepatitis C virus damages the liver slowly and takes years before clinical symptoms of liver failure appear. Once the liver is damaged it is called Cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. When the liver is more than 80 percent damage, it causes blood vomiting also known as hematemesis, Ascites(water in the stomach), Jaundice, HE, HRS etc. All hepatitis C virus infected patients must be treated irrespective of virus count. Baseline virus count by HCV RNA  is done to measure the effectiveness of the treatment. HCV Genotype is done for patients with cirrhosis. Vaccination is not available for hepatitis C but newer medicines(Direct acting antivirals DAA) for Hepatitis C can cure it with more than 95% certainty.

3. Acute viral Hepatitis: Sudden infection in the liver can be due to multiple causes but commonly is due to Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E, which are caused due to eating or drinking contaminated food and water. Rarely Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause Acute hepatitis including Acute liver failure. Acute hepatitis presents with Jaundice, loss of appetite, generalised fatigue, vomiting and abdominal pain.  Patients are usually treated on an outpatient basis but if they have severe vomiting, abdominal pain or altered sensorium, they are admitted for inpatient care and monitoring. Drugs or complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) such as herbal or bodybuilding protein supplements which contain steroids and heavy metals can cause acute hepatitis.

4. Liver transplant: Removing the damaged liver and to put a new liver in the patients is called Liver transplant. Liver transplant is major surgery and costs around 20 to 30 Lacs. Indications of liver transplant are an acute liver failure due to hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis E, decompensated cirrhosis due to any cause including chronic hepatitis B and C, Drug-induced liver failure such antitubercular drugs(ATT). The donor for liver transplant is either a close relative (Living donor liver transplant LDLT) or a brain dead donor (deceased donor liver transplant DDLT).

5. Chronic liver disease or Cirrhosis: It is the end result of slow damage to the liver, where many liver cells are damaged and replaced by fibrosis. Apart from viruses such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, Alcohol is one of the most common causes of cirrhosis.

Drinking alcohol for years together causes irreversible liver damage causing cirrhosis. Alcohol can cause acute severe hepatitis, acute liver failure and chronic liver disease.  Patients with suspected heavy alcohol drink must-visit Hepatologist (Liver doctor ) for proper diagnosis of stage of liver damage and deaddiction programme. USG Abdomen, blood tests, endoscopy and Fibroscan is usually done to know the liver health.

Fatty liver is also known as non-alcohol fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is a lifestyle disorder due to lack of exercise, high fat diet, obesity and due to drugs. Fatty liver causes silent liver damage and if not recognised in time can cause irreversible liver damage and cirrhosis. The evaluation includes Liver function tests, Ultrasound abdomen, Fibroscan. Treatment includes daily moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, drinking coffee and a low-fat diet. Few medicines are available which help in the reversal of fatty liver.

What Should You Know About Liver Disorders?

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